RBI Deputy Governor Rohit Jain discussed the future of India's foreign exchange markets, highlighting the increasing role of local currencies in cross-border trade, the impact of technology, and existing challenges. He emphasised the need for market evolution to facilitate India's global engagement, absorb shocks, and serve all users efficiently. Jain also addressed concerns about unauthorised forex trading platforms and the importance of customer awareness.
India and Nepal have launched a peer-to-peer (P2P) cross-border remittance mechanism, linking India's UPI with Nepal's NPI. This system allows real-time money transfers via mobile banking, enhancing convenience for travellers and businesses, fostering financial inclusion, and strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
UPI transactions in India reached record highs in May, driven by summer travel and the IPL, with transaction value hitting Rs 29.90 lakh crore and volume reaching 23.2 billion.
Fintech platform Decentro has received final approval for a Payment Service Provider (PSP) licence from the IFSCA at GIFT City, enhancing its cross-border payment capabilities.
The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has completed a decade since its launch, becoming the backbone of India's digital payments ecosystem. It has seen exponential growth in transaction volume and value, expanding financial inclusion and setting a global benchmark for real-time payments.
"With the leverage available, I believe the scheme remains reasonably attractive," said P D Singh, India and South Asia Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank, regarding the Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) or FCNR (B) deposits.
Indian companies' overseas expansion plans are holding strong despite geopolitical tensions in West Asia, driven by structural factors like supply-chain diversification, free trade agreements, and market expansion, according to Ajay Sharma, managing director and head of banking at HSBC India.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has removed the prior approval requirement for non-bank entities to form tie-up arrangements for facilitating outward remittance services through banks in India, aiming to streamline the process and enhance efficiency.
NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) have successfully integrated the Maldives' instant payment system 'Favara' with India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This enables real-time fund transfers from Maldives to UPI-enabled Indian bank accounts, marking a significant step in cross-border digital financial connectivity and bilateral economic cooperation.
Indian crypto exchanges and companies have expressed strong support for the Central Board of Direct Taxes' (CBDT) new Crypto Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), which mandates reporting and due-diligence obligations for crypto service providers on all transactions starting 2026.
Parliament was informed that UPI has onboarded 55.49 crore users by June 2026, with transactions reaching 24,162 crore in volume and Rs 314 lakh crore in value in FY 2025-26. The platform, operated by NPCI, is expanding internationally through NIPL, facilitating cross-border payments and assisting other nations in building similar systems. Significant efforts are also underway by the Government, RBI, and NPCI to enhance the security and transparency of UPI transactions, including risk-based limits, security frameworks, and public awareness campaigns against cyber-crime.
A suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed operative, Hamim Mondal, was arrested for allegedly reconnoitering West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's residence in Kolkata. The plot, directed by Pakistan-based handlers, involved tracking the CM's movements and identifying security vulnerabilities, with investigators probing potential links to ISI and a larger conspiracy for sabotage.
West Bengal police have unearthed a sophisticated Pakistan-linked honeytrap network targeting state ministers, their families, and other high-profile individuals, leading to the arrest of a third suspect, Aditya Singh, an alleged associate of Jaish-e-Mohammed operative Hamim Mondal.
A US appeals court has upheld a $562.5 million arbitral award, which has grown to over $2 billion with interest, in favour of Devas Multimedia against Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of ISRO, ruling that US courts have jurisdiction despite Antrix being government-owned.
Customers must report the fraud both to their bank and to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or Helpline 1930 within five calendar days of the occurrence of the fraudulent transaction.
PayPal Payments Pvt Ltd (PayPal), the Indian subsidiary of PayPal Holdings Inc, has received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Payment Aggregatorross Borderxports (PA-CB-E). This marks a key milestone in PayPal's operations in India and its continued support for Indian small businesses, enabling secure cross-border payments to approximately 200 markets, the company said in a statement.
Fintech firm One97 Communications on Thursday said its subsidiary Paytm Payments Services Limited (PPSL), has received authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India to operate as a Payment Aggregator for physical (offline) payments and cross-border transactions.
Authorised push payment frauds have emerged as a growing challenge globally as scammers increasingly rely on social engineering techniques to persuade users to transfer money voluntarily, making recovery more difficult even when transactions are authenticated.
Punjab Police have dismantled a cross-border illegal arms smuggling and hawala network, arresting four individuals, including an Afghan national. Eight sophisticated pistols and live cartridges were recovered, with investigations ongoing to uncover further links to the foreign-based operation.
Swift and global banks are launching a new system to make international payments faster and cheaper for small businesses and consumers, starting with major global markets.
Emirates NBD Bank has successfully acquired a 60 per cent majority stake in RBL Bank through a primary capital infusion of approximately USD 2.75 billion, marking the largest foreign direct investment in India's banking sector.
Zelle, a major US peer-to-peer payment service, is set to launch in India by the end of this year, marking its first international expansion. The move aims to tap into India's large remittance market, offering a service similar to UPI but integrated with bank apps. Zelle also introduced ZelleUSD, a stablecoin for future global payment capabilities.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted extensive searches across Punjab and Haryana, targeting a terror-gangster network linked to Pakistan-based terrorist Shahzad Bhatti. These operations are part of an ongoing investigation into three major terror incidents, aiming to dismantle Bhatti's cross-border operations and identify his associates.
The SC has gone a step further to state that even if one were to not apply the codified GAAR provisions, the judicial GAAR would continue to apply, point out Pranav Sayta and Bhargav Selarka.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced stricter timelines for banks to process inward cross-border remittances, aiming to reduce delays in crediting funds to beneficiaries by mandating immediate customer intimation and more frequent nostro account reconciliation.
The Delhi police busted two Pakistan-backed modules linked to gangster Shahzad Bhatti plotting terror attacks in the capital with the arrest of six operatives, officials said on Monday.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced its 'Payments Vision 2028' document, outlining initiatives to enhance digital payment security, introduce electronic cheques, and expand regulatory oversight to include e-commerce entities.
A joint team of police and SSB seized over Rs 85 lakh in Indian and Nepalese currency and detained six persons along the Indo-Nepal border in Bahraich district.
Investigators probing the murder of Chandranath Rath, a close aide of West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari, have found a key lead in the form of a UPI transaction made at a toll plaza in Howrah.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Jay Kamdar, a Kolkata businessman, for alleged money laundering. The ED claims Kamdar had close ties with police officers and misused his influence in land-related matters. The investigation is linked to an alleged criminal syndicate led by Biswajit Podder.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested a major Myanmar-based drug trafficker in Delhi, who was a key supplier of methamphetamine and heroin across the India-Myanmar border. The arrest follows extensive surveillance and investigations into transnational drug trafficking networks.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) reports a decline in traditional financial crimes due to sustained investigative actions and government initiatives, while highlighting emerging challenges like cryptocurrency fraud and terror financing.
A special court has granted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) permission to arrest self-styled godman Ashok Kharat in connection with a Rs 70 crore money laundering case. Kharat, already facing rape and fraud charges, was produced before the Special PMLA Court on a production warrant from Nashik jail.
Enforcement agencies have highlighted risks related to money laundering and terror financing, prompting closer scrutiny of crypto platforms operating in India.
Self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, already jailed for alleged rape and fraud, has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a Rs 70-crore money laundering case. The arrest follows court approval and is part of an ongoing investigation into a large-scale extortion racket.
From April 1, 2026, the Reserve Bank of India's new authentication directions modernise how every digital payment you make must be verified -- and place the burden of security squarely on your bank, not on you.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached a special PMLA court in Mumbai seeking a production warrant against Ashok Kharat, a self-styled godman and astrologer, in connection with a money laundering case linked to rape and fraud allegations.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has requested a special PMLA court in Mumbai to issue a production warrant against Ashok Kharat, a self-styled godman-cum-astrologer, who is accused of rape and fraud and is currently in police custody in Nashik district, in connection with a money laundering case.
A Delhi court has dismissed the bail application of Al-Falah chairman Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui in a Rs 493-crore money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate, saying that the allegations against him are 'grave in nature'.
'When you think of cross-border payments, the first things that come to mind are risk, compliance, taxation, speed, and cost.'
