RBI to release guidelines to permit default guarantees

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The evolution of a concept, from its inception to being prohibited, and ultimately establishing a regulatory framework to allow its practice

– Anita Baid (finserv@vinodkothari.com)

The concept of First Loss Default Guarantees (FLDGs) in the financial industry has experienced a remarkable journey, marked by its inception, subsequent prohibition, and eventually being on the verge of a resurgence with the introduction of a regulatory framework. It had gained significant attention in the realm of fintech industry, whose remarkable expansion in India is largely responsible for propelling FLDGs. Nevertheless, it is essential to note that guarantees are not a novel concept; they have been widely employed in the financial sector for a considerable period of time. (Our article on ‘Lending without risk and risk without lending’ can be read here)

In its Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies dated June 8, 2023, the RBI has announced its intention to issue a regulatory framework for permitting Default Loss Guarantee arrangements in Digital Lending. This article delves into the intriguing evolution of Structured Default Guarantees, examining their rise, fall, and subsequent rebirth, shedding light on the regulatory landscape that has shaped their existence.

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Crowdfunding platforms – risks and concerns in the Indian context

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Timothy Lopes, Manager

finserv@vinodkothari.com

Introduction

Crowdfunding as a concept has been in the limelight for quite some time now. Globally there are several crowdfunding platforms that exist. These crowdfunding platforms essentially allow almost anybody to raise funds for any cause, ideas or business ventures. Interestingly, the first online crowdfunding platform was launched back in 2001[1].

However, with the advent of online crowdfunding platforms also comes the inherent risks associated with it. Through this article, the author aims to highlight the inherent risks associated with crowdfunding along with the legal permissibility and restraints in India.

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Ushering the new-age TReDS Platform

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– Anirudh Grover, Executive | finserv@vinodkothari.com

Receivables or debtors though from the face of it is considered as a positive thing for businesses, however when you lift the tag of positivity one can assess the true color of trade receivables. This essentially means that despite it being classified as an asset it may not be helping the business when required. For instance, ABC Ltd has 1 lakh recorded as debtors in its financials however these debtors are of no substantial use unless it is converted into liquid forms of funds. This in essence is the reason why TReDS was introduced, RBI vide Guidelines for the Trade Discounting System (TReDS) opined that the scheme for setting up and operating the institutional mechanism for facilitating the financing of trade receivables of MSMEs from Corporate and other buyers, including Government Departments and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), through multiple financiers is known as TReDS.

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Cryptocurrency – A Cautionary Tale for India

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Recent Events in the Crypto-world and a Need for Regulatory Oversight

– Subhojit Shome (subhojit@vinodkothari.com)

Introduction

There are two recent events in the world of crypto that warranted this article – the first one, in order of chronology, fundamentally altered the way that a blockchain (the underlying ledger) for cryptocurrency validates transactions while the second exposed how a cryptocurrency, without underlying value, can be used to window dress a balance sheet and lure in investors.

The second incident, of course, refers to the FTX debacle that has received global media coverage and continues to grab headlines. The first event, Ethereum moving to ‘proof of stake’ consensus mechanism, however, may be a more obscure event to the public eye and likely to have caught the attention of only the hardcore crypto enthusiast, fintech departments of financial institutions and the financial stability divisions of financial market regulators and ministries.

This article, to all intents and purposes, is a ‘cautionary tale’ where we use these two events to explore how cryptocurrency, whether deliberately or inadvertently, may build a house of cards and there is an urgent imperative that regulators look beyond PML/ CFT issues, the ‘usual suspects’ when it comes to crypto, and delve into issues surrounding investor protection and market surveillance.

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Reintroduction of the Data Protection Bill: Analysing the Implications for FinTech

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– Financial Services Division (finserv@vinodkothari.com)

Background

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) introduced the revised draft of the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022[1] (‘Bill’) on November 18, 2022 for public comments. The Bill is intended to be technology and sector-agnostic and hence, shall serve as a broad guide for digital data protection across all sectors. It is expected that sector-specific regulators shall develop regulations based on the legislation passed based on the said Bill.

In this write-up, we intend to cover the broad prescriptions of the said draft Bill and their impact on the fintech industry.

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Structured Default Guarantees

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Analysing prevalent structures and their capital treatment

– Qasim Saif, Senior Manager | qasim@vinodkothari.com

The term that has been grabbing limelight in the world of finance, specifically for non-banking finance would be First Loss Default Guarantees (FLDGs). The growth of the fintech sector in India may be chiefly credited for making FLDGs as the latest buzzword. However, guarantees are not a new innovation; it has been commonly used in the finance sector since ages.

We are organising a Workshop on Emerging Regulatory Framework for NBFCs and digital lending on 19th, 20th and 21st September 2022. See details here – https://vinodkothari.com/2022/09/workshop-emerging-regulatory-framework-for-nbfcs/
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The future of Loan-loaded Prepaid Payment Instruments

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Financial Services Division | finserv@vinodkothari.com

The latest communication from the Reserve Bank of India (‘RBI’), barring issuers of prepaid payment instruments (PPIs) from having the same loaded by credit lines, has created a substantial flutter in the financial sector, particularly among the Fintech lenders. Based on the feedback received from market participants it seems that the RBI has been trying to remove any regulatory arbitrage that a non-bank PPI issuer may have as compared to a bank. Considering the gravity of the matter even the Payment Council of India has approached the Government of India to intervene in this matter[1]. There are reports[2] that many of the issuers of PPIs have reportedly stopped issuing PPIs post receiving the RBI circular.

The trigger for all this is a June 20, 2022 communication from the RBI, addressed to certain NBFCs and Fintech lenders, who have been extending credit facilities for loading prepaid cards, stating that prepaid payment instruments (PPIs) must not be loaded through credit lines. The aforesaid communication has raised questions on the existing business model of several fintech entities and threatens their existence. The relevant extract of the said communication states that:

“A reference is invited to the provisions contained in the paragraph 7.5 of the Master Direction on PPI (PPI-MD) dated August 27, 2021 (updated as on November 12, 2021) – “PPIs shall be permitted to be loaded /reloaded by cash debit to a bank account, credit and debit cards, PPIs (as permitted from time to time) and other payment instruments issued by regulated entities in India and shall be in INR only”

The PPI-MD does not permit loading of PPIs from credit lines. Such practices, if followed, should be stopped immediately. Any non-compliance in this regard may attract penal action under provisions contained in the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007”

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The emerging concept of embedded finance

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In the future will every company be a FinTech company?

finserv@vinodkothari.com

Introduction

Everyone has probably had some form of interaction with the concept of embedded finance while possibly not knowing what it is. This budding concept has its eyes set on massively changing the way business is done.

Today, convenience in trade and commerce is probably the most sought after by customers. The idea of having everything in one place at high speeds is what drives trade in this modern world. This is where embedded finance would come into play.

Embedded Finance (‘EmFi’) is a concept that typically allows non-financial entities to integrate financial services/ products into its own platform through the use of APIs (‘Application Programming Interface’) which is a software intermediary that allows two applications to talk to each other.

Put simply in the form of an example, let’s say you want to purchase a flight ticket. You reach the payment stage and see an option to purchase insurance as well, without having to leave the app you are currently using. This integration of an insurance purchase on a non-financial entities platform is just one small part of the bigger picture of embedded finance.

This article will focus on explaining the concept of embedded finance with specific focus on embedded lending.

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Security Token Offerings & their Application to Structured Finance

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Moving to DeFi

– Subhojit Shome, Executive | subhojit@vinodkothari.com

Introduction

As per a Forbes article[1] published in early 2021, DeFi and Security Token Offerings (STO) had scaled new heights with 2020 being “a banner year for capital formation and secondary trading” using security tokens. DeFi applications were reported to be prevalent across 15 countries around the world (including the major developed economies) and 39 of the top 100 largest banks in the world were reportedly working on security tokens or blockchain applications. Expert estimates[2] predict the security tokens industry to surpass the market volume for cryptocurrencies in the next five years and in terms of issue proceeds, the global security token market reaching $3 billion by 2025.

Figure 1: Estimated Growth of Security Token Offerings (STO)[3]

Blockchain-based tokens can be described as digitally scarce units of value the characteristics and circulation of which are prescribed via computer code.[4]

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Financial Services firms foray into the metaverse

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Beyond Social Media & Gaming

– Subhojit Shome, Executive | finserv@vinodkothari.com

Introduction

The ‘Metaverse’ has become the latest favourite buzzword on Wall Street with players from Big Tech, Gaming, Entertainment and the FMCG Industries touting it as the best thing to happen since sliced bread.

It is now the turn of the Banking and Financial Services Industry to jump onto the bandwagon and with big ticket traditional players, like JPMorgan and PwC, buying up prime virtual real estate in the metaverse and with revenue estimations from opportunities in the metaverse being projected at $1 trillion and beyond,[1] other players (both traditional and new age) cannot help but take notice.

In this overview, we attempt to provide a bird’s eye view of what the metaverse is and the opportunities that it offers specifically to those involved in the financial services space.

The Many Definitions of the Metaverse

The term – ‘Metaverse’ – is borrowed from American writer, Neal Stephenson’s dystopian sci-fi novel – Snow Crash – wherein it is used to describe a virtual-reality based successor to the internet.[2] 

In the real world context, the term has been variously defined and used, be it by tech gurus or c-suite executives. In general it has come to imply an interactive digital world with online communities providing immersive experiences.

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