While working on creating a legal framework for bitcoin and other digital currencies, the Indian government is now considering launching its own bitcoin-like cryptocurrency. The proposed government cryptocurrency is to be issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The Indian government is considering “a proposal to introduce its cryptocurrency similar to bitcoin,” reported Business Standard on Saturday. This state-run cryptocurrency will be called “Lakshmi,” the name of the Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity. According to sources close to the development:
The proposal was discussed by a committee of government officials…Whenever the decision is taken, the cryptocurrency will fall in the domain of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and some Acts such as the Currency Act might have to be amended. Hence, this will be a time-consuming process.
This news follows a speech on cryptocurrencies by RBI Executive Director Sudarshan Sen at the India Fintech Day conference. He hinted at the time that the government may be introducing its own fiat cryptocurrency which will be issued by the RBI. “Right now, we have a group of people who are looking at fiat cryptocurrencies. Something that is an alternative to the Indian rupee, so to speak. We are looking at that closely,” he said. In addition, he stressed that the central bank is not comfortable with non-fiat cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin.