Reserve Bank of India Expands Digital Rupee Pilot with Offline Capabilities
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is accelerating its central bank digital currency (CBDC) initiative, introducing programmability and offline functionality to bolster adoption in low-connectivity regions. The retail pilot now engages 600,000 users across 17 banks, while the wholesale segment incorporates four standalone primary dealers for interbank settlements.
This strategic expansion reflects India’s aggressive positioning in the global CBDC race. The RBI’s 2024-2025 Annual Report reveals deliberate feature development to enhance transactional versatility, signaling institutional confidence in blockchain-based monetary infrastructure.