India Stablecoin Adoption is emerging as one of the most closely watched developments ahead of the Economic Survey 2025–26. A recent report suggests that the central government is evaluating whether stablecoins—digital assets pegged to fiat currencies or commodities—could have a limited yet defined role in India’s evolving financial ecosystem. This move comes even as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) maintains strong caution regarding privately issued digital tokens.
With global interest in tokenised payments and blockchain-powered settlement systems rising rapidly, India is exploring whether select use cases for stablecoins could enhance efficiency without compromising financial stability. According to Moneycontrol, officials are analysing the feasibility of incorporating stablecoins into specific payment channels as part of a broader review of digital financial architecture.
Why Stablecoins Are Under Review Now
Stablecoins differ from volatile cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum. Their value is typically pegged to stable assets—commonly the US dollar—making them suitable for payments, settlements, and cross-border transactions. As nations experiment with tokenised money, India is assessing whether stablecoins could complement existing digital finance tools.

The exploration aligns with global trends. Countries within the EU, Singapore, and even regions in the Middle East are evaluating stablecoin licensing in controlled environments. India’s own position is beginning to shift, not toward blanket approval, but toward structured experimentation backed by regulatory safeguards.
Stablecoin Utility Being Studied as Part of Wider Digital Finance Review
Government sources quoted in reports indicate that the Economic Survey may recommend limited experimentation with stablecoins for specific payment use cases. These may include simplified merchant payments, institutional cross-border settlements, or integration with tokenised financial instruments.
Officials have highlighted potential benefits such as:
- Faster cross-border transactions
- Lower settlement costs for institutions
- Boost in capital efficiency for financial markets
- Greater innovation in fintech and digital payments
However, the absence of dedicated stablecoin regulations in India means any policy shift would require the creation of a comprehensive framework. This includes issuer obligations, collateral transparency, consumer protection norms, and interoperability standards across banks and payment networks.
RBI’s Cautious Position on Stablecoins
Even as the government reviews potential models for India Stablecoin Adoption, the RBI remains firm on its stance: privately issued stablecoins could pose systemic risks. The central bank continues to promote its own sovereign digital currency—the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), commonly known as the Digital Rupee.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal reiterated in October that government policy supports a digital rupee issued exclusively by the RBI. From the regulator’s perspective, private stablecoins could threaten monetary sovereignty, expose the system to external shocks, and complicate macro-financial management.
Still, the government’s exploration suggests a recognition that both CBDCs and stablecoins may have roles to play—provided regulatory checks are strong enough to protect the system.
What Happens If the Proposal Moves Forward?
If policymakers agree on limited adoption, several steps are expected to follow:
- A formal discussion paper outlining permitted use cases
- Safeguards for consumer protection and systemic stability
- Issuer-level compliance requirements
- Engagement with banks, fintechs, payment processors, and market participants
- Pilot programs under controlled regulatory sandboxes
Any eventual framework will likely depend heavily on the response from financial institutions and payment networks, as well as India’s broader strategy for blockchain integration.
Coexistence of CBDC and Stablecoins
A key question in the policy review is whether stablecoins and the digital rupee can coexist within India’s regulated financial ecosystem. While CBDCs offer government-backed stability and security, stablecoins—if properly regulated—could drive innovation in tokenised financial products and cross-border payments.

The coexistence model is already being tested internationally, where CBDCs function as core monetary instruments while regulated stablecoins support commercial and institutional use cases.
India’s Digital Asset Strategy Entering New Phase
India’s evolving stance suggests a broader recognition: emerging digital assets, if properly governed, can complement policy goals in efficiency and financial innovation. With stablecoins under review, India is signalling openness to exploring new layers of digital finance, without compromising regulatory integrity.
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