- India’s ARC token, launching in Q1 2026, will offer a stable, rupee-backed digital currency.
- Backed by assets like government securities, ARC aims to reduce capital outflow to dollar coins.
- The ARC token will complement India’s RBI CBDC, supporting payments, remittances, and innovation.
India’s highly anticipated ARC (Asset Reserve Certificate) token is set to launch in the first quarter of 2026, marking a major step in the country’s digital economy.
The ARC token is a stable digital asset, fully backed by collateral like government securities and fixed deposits. It offers a more transparent and stable alternative to the often volatile foreign-backed stablecoins.
Notably, ARC is developed by Polygon (an Ethereum scaling company) and Anq (an India-based fintech). It aims to keep financial activity within India and strengthen the rupee’s position in the digital currency world.
A Stable, Rupee-Backed Alternative
The ARC token will be pegged 1:1 with the Indian Rupee (INR), offering a stable, fully collateralized digital currency. Unlike speculative stablecoins, each ARC token will only be minted when the issuer has enough cash or equivalent assets to back it, ensuring stability and regulatory compliance.
The launch aims to reduce capital outflow to dollar-backed stablecoins and increase demand for domestic debt instruments, supporting India’s economic sovereignty.
Related: India Moves Toward a Digital Rupee Layer as Polygon Positions Its Rails
Two-Tier Digital Currency System
The ARC token will work alongside the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in a two-tier system. While the RBI’s CBDC will control monetary policy, the ARC will act as an intermediary, offering innovation-friendly solutions for payments, remittances, and other financial services. This public-private sector collaboration will ensure robust regulatory oversight, supporting digital currency growth in India.
Also, the ARC token will help maintain India’s foreign exchange regulations. Only business accounts will be allowed to mint ARC tokens, ensuring compliance with India’s foreign exchange controls. The system will also restrict token swaps to approved addresses to prevent misuse.
Addressing Global Stablecoin Risks
With growing concerns over capital outflows into dollar-backed stablecoins, India’s move to introduce the ARC aims to safeguard its financial system.
The U.S. GENIUS Stablecoin Act has raised concerns about emerging markets losing liquidity to dollar-backed assets. The ARC offers India a way to maintain control and competitiveness in the global digital economy.
Expected to launch in early 2026, the ARC token will serve as a model for other emerging markets. It will help drive financial inclusion, cross-border payments, and strengthen the rupee’s global position.
Related: Gen Z Overtakes Millennials as India’s Largest Crypto Investor Group: Report
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