Reserve Bank India Plans Pilot Tokenized Deposits Using CBDC

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to launch a pilot program on October 8, 2025, for tokenizing bank deposits using the wholesale segment of its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), the e-rupee. This initiative aims to convert traditional bank deposits into digital tokens on a blockchain, enabling faster, cheaper, and more secure transactions while improving transparency and efficiency in the banking system. The pilot will involve select banks and use the existing wholesale CBDC infrastructure as the settlement layer, building on prior CBDC experiments in retail and wholesale payments. RBI officials emphasize the importance of strong legal and regulatory frameworks to ensure integrity, enforceability, and clear ownership rights, avoiding duplication or systemic risks. The pilot also includes tokenization of certificates of deposit, highlighting the potential for automation and programmability via smart contracts. This move reflects India's broader efforts to modernize its financial system and cautiously embrace digital currency innovations amid its historically cautious stance towards cryptocurrencies and stablecoins.