HDFC Bank integrates Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) into SmartGateway

Exam-focused facts from the 8 January 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

HDFC Bank has integrated the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) into its online merchant payment platform, SmartGateway.
The integration enables merchants to accept payments via the Digital Rupee at zero transaction cost.
The Digital Rupee is offered as a secure and sovereign-backed digital payment option alongside existing modes such as Unified Payments Interface (UPI), cards, and net banking.
The enhancement allows customers to access an instant and secure digital payment experience within the HDFC Bank checkout ecosystem.