RBI weighs introducing offline usage features in digital rupee

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is considering introducing offline usage features in the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), which is widely pitched as an alternative to cryptocurrencies.

According to RBI sources, the offline features would help in providing “resiliency and availability in the absence of network and programmability.” The offline digital rupee would enable transactions without the internet. It will be done through a device that offers offline functionality. It could either be a stand-alone custom device or a smartphone with a built-in application.