Senior officials from IFSCA, RBI and NSE IX along with international and domestic academicians during the concluding session at GIFT City on Wednesday-NE photo
- RRU, IFSCA & NSE IX convene global regulators, technologists and academics
- Three-day dialogue focuses on DeFi, crypto forensics, AML compliance & cross-border risk
- University of Zurich experts join RBI, SEBI and IFSCA leaders in strategic exchange
- Stakeholder meet at GIFT IFSC positions India as a trusted hub for blockchain innovation
NE ECONOMIC, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, FEB 11
The Indo-Swiss Blockchain Forum 2026 concluded with a high-level stakeholder engagement at GIFT City IFSC, reinforcing India’s ambition to build a secure, innovation-driven and globally aligned blockchain ecosystem.
Hosted by Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) in collaboration with NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) and the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), the three-day forum served as a strategic bridge between India and Switzerland—two nations at the forefront of digital finance and distributed ledger innovation.
A Forum with Strategic Intent
The forum was conceptualised to deepen cooperation in blockchain governance, decentralised finance (DeFi), crypto forensics, AML compliance and cross-border financial risk mitigation, while fostering regulatory clarity and institutional capacity-building.
Experts from IFSCA, SEBI, RBI, NSE IX and the University of Zurich (UoZ) engaged in structured deliberations designed to translate global best practices into actionable regulatory and technological pathways for India.
Blockchain as a Regulatory Imperative
Opening the final day’s stakeholder session, Praveen S. Kamat, CISO, IFSCA, emphasised the growing systemic relevance of distributed ledger technologies.
“Blockchain technology is no longer optional—it is the need of the hour. As financial ecosystems become more complex and interconnected, distributed ledger systems offer transparency, traceability and resilience that modern markets demand,” said Kamat.
He stressed the importance of embedding innovation within a strong compliance and supervisory framework.
Emerging Technologies & IFSC Vision
Delivering the keynote, Mr. Joseph Joshy, CTO & CGM, IFSCA, highlighted the expanding role of blockchain within the IFSC regulatory ecosystem.
“Blockchain applications within IFSC are evolving rapidly. The convergence of quantum computing and AI-driven blockchain solutions will fundamentally reshape regulatory architecture and financial ecosystems,” Joshy observed, adding that future-ready sandbox frameworks would accelerate innovation while safeguarding stability.
Switzerland–India Knowledge Exchange
A highlight of the concluding session was the panel discussion featuring Prof. Dr. Claudio J. Tessone, Professor of Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies, University of Zurich; Benjamin Kraner, Research Associate, UoZ; Al-Amri Eiman Saud, Doctoral Research Scholar, UoZ; Shirinkumar, GM, RBI; and Praveen S. Kamat, GM, IFSCA.
Prof. Tessone underscored the importance of research-driven policy and cross-border collaboration.
“Blockchain ecosystems cannot mature in isolation. They require a careful balance between technological experimentation and regulatory foresight. Academic research plays a critical role in stress-testing models, identifying systemic risks and ensuring that innovation translates into sustainable public value,” said Prof. Tessone.
He further noted that Indo-Swiss cooperation reflects a shared commitment to transparency, decentralisation and responsible digital transformation.
RBI’s Shirinkumar reinforced the regulatory perspective:
“Innovation must advance alongside prudential safeguards. Our objective is to harness distributed ledger efficiencies while preserving financial stability and systemic integrity.”
A Strategic Signal from GIFT City
By anchoring the concluding interaction at GIFT City IFSC, India’s premier international financial services hub, the forum signalled its intent to position the IFSC as a globally trusted centre for blockchain experimentation within a regulated perimeter.
Concluding the event, Hitesh Soni, NSE IX, delivered the vote of thanks.
“The past three days have enabled rich dialogue, insightful deliberations and meaningful exchange of ideas. Such engagements strengthen India’s global partnerships and accelerate responsible digital transformation,” he said.
As the Indo-Swiss Blockchain Forum 2026 draws to a close, it leaves behind a strengthened institutional roadmap—where innovation, regulation and international cooperation converge to shape the next chapter of digital finance.
