RBI Deputy Governor Asks Banks to Gear for Blockchain Future as India Awaits Crypto Rules

Mahesh Kumar Jain, the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has predicted that technologies like blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI) would be part of the future of finance. The RBI recently met with the directors of Indian banks. The aim of this meeting was to address concerns and risk mitigation measures that India must be ready for in the future. The up-and-coming blockchain technology is the underlying system that supports cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and the overall Web3 sector.

Linking AI and blockchain to existing financial systems, the RBI official said, is essential to ensure the growth and stability of India's digital finance sector.

“Indian banks will need to focus on digital transformation, enhance customer experience, adopt innovative technologies such as AI and blockchain, invest in cybersecurity measures, look for opportunities to derive synergistic benefits through collaboration with other players as well as upskilling their workforce to meet the demands of the digital era,” Jain said in the meeting.

The development comes just days after a Coindesk report claimed that Indian crypto exchanges were in “survival mode” right now. Citing sources from CoinDCX, CoinSwitch, WazirX, BuyUCoin, ZebPay, and Giottus, the report claimed Indian exchanges see their runways ranging from 21 months to four years before they land into a bull market.

Speaking to Gadgets 360, Unocoin CEO Sathvik Vishwakarma agreed that the next four years are indeed crucial for India's crypto ecosystem and highlighted that progressing with tech is crucial for the nation to be ready for the hyper-competitive future.

“Regulatory environment, institutional adoption, tech advancement, market volatility, and investor sentiment are among several major factors that will shape the future of national as well as international fintech sector,” Vishwakarma said.

The Unocoin chief listed patchy policies, hack attacks on Web3 platforms, and resistance from traditional finance as factors that may delay the projected four-year trajectory, which may vary depending on the perspectives of industry insiders.

India's CoinDCX exchange also emphasised that it is prioritising tech development in order to keep its services up to date and relevant for the users.

“CoinDCX is using the bear market as an opportunity to build and enhance its technology. We are investing heavily in strengthening our capabilities and infrastructure to pave the way for the mass adoption of Web3,” the company told Gadgets 360.

For now, the RBI governor has asked banks to prioritise risk management, regulatory compliance, and sustainability solutions to ensure long-term resilience in the banking ecosystem.

Cryptocurrency is an unregulated digital currency, not a legal tender and subject to market risks. The information provided in the article is not intended to be and does not constitute financial advice, trading advice or any other advice or recommendation of any sort offered or endorsed by NDTV. NDTV shall not be responsible for any loss arising from any investment based on any perceived recommendation, forecast or any other information contained in the article.