BUSINESS
Explained | China’s ban on cryptocurrency
While China has banned private virtual currencies, it is in an advanced stage of issuing a central bank digital currency for public usage
BUSINESS
Equitas-Google Pay deal reflects confluence of banking and fintech
In India, the large private banks may not need such partnerships, but the ailing public sector banks and the troubled old private sector banks can gain from such deals. Partnerships and technology can also benefit cooperative banks which have been on the RBI’s radar for a while now
BUSINESS
Will the NARCL cleanse India’s banking system?
The answer to that depends on learning from global lessons in this respect. For instance, political will and consensus is one crucial ingredient for success
BUSINESS
How Raghuram Rajan, Urjit Patel differ on greening of central bank policies
The central banks cannot make direct green policies such as carbon taxation, lower plastic usage, which fall under the purview of the governments. These banks can at best make indirect policies to nudge greener investments
BUSINESS
Explained | Why US Fed’s Jackson Hole conference is a big deal
At the Jackson Hole conference, financial markets will keenly watch if US Fed chair Jerome Powell mentions the word taper in his speech and whether US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has anything to say on the interlinkages between fiscal and monetary policy
BUSINESS
Will banking take off in India’s GIFT City?
IFSCA regulations are not very different from the 2015 RBI regulations. We also have to see how and whether Mumbai and GIFT City complement each other’s activities
BUSINESS
50 years of nixing Bretton Woods, and the world is yet to recover
The RBI’s Annual Report (1971-72) noted that the demise of Bretton Woods implied changes of a far-reaching nature in the international monetary system
BUSINESS
Global inflation on the rise. Why aren’t central banks worrying?
Central banks are under pressure from rising inflation but so far they have brushed it aside as ‘transitory.’
BUSINESS
Finally, the European Central Bank moves beyond price stability
Compared to other central banks, the ECB’s tasks are more complex as it is a central bank of 19 economies. Having done the review, the markets will watch how the ECB will function with these multiple objectives
BUSINESS
30 Years Of Economic Reforms | Taking stock of Indian banking
Indian banking has come a long way since 1991. The private banks have played an instrumental role in this transition bringing new technology and products to the banking space. However, despite this, Indian banking is still a work in progress on some core issues
POLITICS
PV Narasimha Rao | A look-back at his political and economic legacy
PV Narasimha Rao’s legacy is obviously in the space of economic reforms which has been hotly debated and will continue to do so as we complete 30 years of reforms in 2021
POLICY
Implications of El Salvador’s tryst with Bitcoin
There is no doubt that El Salvador and its President Nayib Bukele have created a stir in the world of money. With El Salvador entering the Bitcoin field, will we see other economies joining the fray?
BUSINESS
Financial repression is making a comeback
It is interesting how financial repression has made a comeback against all odds. While the financial repression policies are being conducted differently compared to their earlier avatars, the broad idea is the same
BUSINESS
RBI comes to the rescue of Centre and states
While one can agree to these intervention in the pandemic year, it has to be seen whether it continues going ahead
POLITICS
Government must use RBI’s balance sheet to finance COVID-19 vaccines for all
The government needs to form an emergency interdisciplinary committee of experts to act quickly on putting the vaccine policy back on the rails. Let’s stop saying we don’t have the money to fund vaccines
BUSINESS
How the TRIPS agreement tripped in the vaccine lane
Within TRIPS, public health and access to critical medicine are always going to be more contentious issues
BUSINESS
M Narasimham was the doyen of banking reforms in India
The impact of the Narasimham Committee reports continues to weigh on the Indian banking system
TRENDS
Is China setting the future agenda for central bank digital currencies?
The Chinese policymakers realise that even if China is on top of the world economic order, it is highly likely that the USD will maintain its dominance
BUSINESS
Will RBI’s new inflation forecasting model help?
The tighter-than-required monetary policy during 2016-18 is often criticized for derailing Indian growth story; that’s why the new forecasting model assumes importance
BUSINESS
Should central banks target climate change?
Some purists argue that the central banks have earned their autonomy after years of inflation management, and should stick to the knitting, else risk losing their autonomy
BUSINESS
History of Money (Part III) | From Bitcoin to central bank digital currency
The 2008 financial crisis shook that central pillar of the monetary system: trust. Post-2008, economists started to scramble for it, and it was not a coincidence that Satoshi Nakamoto’s Bitcoin article mentions the ‘trust’ 14 times
BUSINESS
History of Money (Part II) | Currencies, banking and crises
In the initial years, the notes and coins were backed by the commodities such as gold, silver etc. This meant that volume and value of currency circulated were based on the value of gold/silver reserves held by the authorities which were mainly central banks
BUSINESS
History of Money (Part I) | From cowries to cryptocurrency
The Indian subcontinent had multiple kingdoms issuing multiple forms of coinage. When the British came to India, they realised that Rupee as a currency name was widely prevalent and stuck to it
BUSINESS
In push for privatisation, create fair markets and competition
It is not ownership but governance which should impact businesses. Unfortunately, successive governments have not been able to reform the governance mixing it with ownership
