This Reserve Bank of India (RBI) circular, DOR.FIN.REC.No.7203.10.117/2022-23 dated October 11, 2022, addresses all Standalone Primary Dealers (SPDs) regarding the diversification of their activities, specifically concerning permissible non-core activities.
The circular expands the scope of foreign exchange (FX) activities SPDs can undertake. SPDs are now permitted to offer all foreign exchange market-making facilities to users, aligning them with the capabilities currently permitted to Category-I Authorized Dealers. This is subject to adherence to prudential regulations and other guidelines to be issued separately. This measure aims to broaden the spectrum of market makers available to forex customers for managing currency risk and enhance the breadth of the forex market in India. It also intends to improve SPDs' ability to support primary issuance and secondary market activities in government securities.
Furthermore, effective January 1, 2023, all financial transactions involving the Rupee undertaken globally by related entities of the SPD must be reported to CCIL's Trade Repository before 12:00 noon of the business day following the transaction date.
SPDs must continue to comply with regulations outlined in circular DNBR.PD.CC.No.094/03.10.001/2018-19 dated July 27, 2018, and prudential regulations issued by the Reserve Bank from time to time. The instructions contained in the Master Direction Reserve Bank of India (Market-makers in OTC Derivatives Directions, 2021) FMRD.FMD.07/02.03.247/2021-22 dated September 16, 2021, will also apply, mutatis mutandis, to SPDs. The Master Direction Standalone Primary Dealers (Reserve Bank Directions, 2016) is being modified accordingly.
For further information, contact J.P. Sharma, Chief General Manager, Department of Regulation, Central Office, 2nd Floor, Main Office Building, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001. Tel No: 22153413, Fax No: 22162768, Email: cgmicdor@rbi.org.in.
Key Entities Referenced
Reserve Bank of India: The central bank of India, responsible for regulating the banking sector and monetary policy.
Standalone Primary Dealers (SPDs): Financial institutions that underwrite and deal in government securities.
Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI): An investor or investment fund investing in a country's financial assets, such as stocks and bonds.
Category-I Authorized Dealers: Banks authorized by the Reserve Bank of India to deal in foreign exchange.
Clearing Corporation of India Ltd (CCIL): An organization that provides clearing and settlement services for financial transactions in India.
Rupee: The official currency of India.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: A city in India where the central office of the Department of Regulation, Reserve Bank of India is located.
Master Direction Standalone Primary Dealers Reserve Bank Directions, 2016: A regulatory document issued by the Reserve Bank of India pertaining to Standalone Primary Dealers.
भारतीय �रज़व र् बक�
___RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
www.rbi.org.in
RBI/2022-23/126
DOR.FIN.REC.No.72/03.10.117/2022-23 October 11, 2022
All Standalone Primary Dealers (SPDs)
Dear Sir/ Madam,
Diversification of activities by SPDs – Review of permissible non-core activities
A reference is invited to circular DNBR (PD) CC.No.094/03.10.001/2018-19 dated July 27, 2018 in
terms of which SPDs, as part of their non-core activities, are permitted to offer foreign exchange
products, as allowed from time to time, to their Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) clients.
2. As announced in the Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies (Para 3 annexed)
dated August 05, 2022, it has been decided to allow SPDs to offer all foreign exchange market-
making facilities to users, as currently permitted to Category-I Authorized Dealers, subject to
adherence to the prudential regulations and other guidelines to be issued separately in this regard.
3. Further, with effect from January 01, 2023 all financial transactions involving the Rupee
undertaken globally by related entities of the SPD shall be reported to CCIL’s Trade Repository
before 12:00 noon of the business day following the date of transaction.
4. SPDs shall comply with other regulations contained in the aforementioned circular dated July
27, 2018 and prudential regulations issued by Reserve Bank from time to time. Further, all the
instructions contained in the Master Direction – Reserve Bank of India (Market-makers in OTC
Derivatives) Directions, 2021 (FMRD.FMD.07/02.03.247/2021-22) dated September 16, 2021
shall also apply, mutatis-mutandis, to SPDs.
5. The Master Direction – Standalone Primary Dealers (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016, is being
modified accordingly.
Yours faithfully,
(J.P. Sharma)
Chief General Manager
िविनयमन िवभाग, क�िद्रय काया�लय, दुसरी मंिजल, मु� काया�लय भवन, फोट�, मुंबई 400 001
दूर�नी:22153413, फै�:22162768 ई मेल:cgmicdor@rbi.org.in
Department of Regulation, Central Office, 2nd Floor, Main Office Building, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001
Tel No: 22153413, Fax No:22162768 Email: cgmicdor@rbi.org.in
िहंदी आसान है ,इसका प्रयोग बढाईयेAnnex
Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies dated August 05, 2022
3. Standalone Primary Dealers (SPDs) – expansion in scope of permitted activities
At present, Standalone Primary Dealers (SPDs) are permitted to undertake foreign currency
business for limited purposes. With a view to strengthen the role of SPDs as market makers, on a
par with banks operating primary dealer business, it is proposed to enable SPDs to offer all foreign
exchange market-making facilities as currently permitted to Category-I Authorised Dealers, subject
to prudential guidelines. This measure would give forex customers a broader spectrum of market-
makers in managing their currency risk, thereby adding breadth to the forex market in India. Wider
market presence would improve the ability of SPDs to provide support to the primary issuance and
secondary market activities in government securities, which would continue to be the major focus
of primary dealer activities. Regulations in this regard would be issued separately.
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