In a groundbreaking development, Infosys Co-founder Nandan Nilekani, in collaboration with Agustín Carstens, General Manager of the Bank for International Settlements, has unveiled a visionary concept paper introducing Finternet—an interoperable financial ecosystem poised to revolutionize the global financial landscape.
The Finternet concept paper proposes an innovative approach that integrates key technological features such as interoperability, verifiability, programmability, and governance within a unified framework. It can be seen as similar to the internet, connecting various financial ecosystems globally. Much like how technology has transformed tasks such as communication and travel, the Finternet seeks to revolutionize financial services, making transactions cheap, secure, and near-instantaneous and empowering users while maintaining regulatory compliance and governance standards.
With a particular emphasis on emerging and developing economies, where access to financial services remains limited, the Finternet proposes to bridge the gap by leveraging recent innovations in financial technology. Programmable ledgers and tokenization are highlighted as key breakthroughs, enabling smart contracts and digitized assets to streamline transactions.
To realize this vision, the Finternet requires several building blocks, including unified ledgers, two-tier monetary systems, and robust regulatory frameworks. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential, with public authorities establishing digital infrastructure and regulatory protections, while the private sector drives innovation and service provision.
Governance plays a pivotal role in Finternet, ensuring adherence to regulations while maintaining trust, security, and integrity. The proposed system simplifies regulatory compliance by embedding adherence to relevant rules and regulations within tokens and transaction instructions, effectively translating policy into code. Overall, the Finternet represents a transformative leap forward in the financial sector, offering a seamless, interconnected network that maximizes efficiency, lowers costs, and expands access to financial services, particularly in emerging markets.