RBI, Sebi assessing relaxation of currency trading norms

The Reserve Bank of India and Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) are in discussions to relax the currency trading norms, following demands from the market participants, a top Sebi official said today.

"There are demands from market participants that the currency trading norms should be relaxed. RBI and Sebi are working together to relax the norms," Sebi Chairman, C B Bhave said here.

Relaxation in currency trading norms is expected to enable all category of market particpants to trade in currency futures. At present, only a selected category of players are allowed to trade in currency futures.

The regulators have been trying to ensure transparency and timely settlement of transactions in the system, which are essential to develop a healthy financial system in the country, Bhave said.

"We have been trying to bring in assurance of settlement and transparency in the market...The present financial crisis in global markets is an outcome of lack of faith on these principles," Bhave said.

BSE today launched currency derivatives segment (BSE-CDX) that would enable participants to hedge their currency risks through trading in the US dollar-rupee platform.

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) had kicked off exchange-traded currency futures for the first time in the country on August 29, while leading commodity bourse Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) is expected to launch the facility soon.