Mumbai, September 9 (Daily Kiran) : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Wednesday that Maharashtra is dedicated to leveraging emerging digital financial technologies for the benefit of common citizens, farmers, women entrepreneurs, startups, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Speaking at the Global Fintech Fest 2026, he emphasized that agentic AI and quantum technology will pave the way for a new era of financial inclusion.
Fadnavis highlighted the immense potential of these technologies, including tokenization, to revolutionize the financial sector. He recalled that during last year’s Global Fintech Fest, the state committed to becoming the country’s first “tokenized state.” In line with this goal, the Maharashtra government has initiated the drafting of the Maharashtra Digitization and Exchange of Land Token Asset Act (DELTA Act). This law aims to establish a necessary legal framework for the blockchain-based tokenization of land and real estate assets, with experts from SEBI, BSE, NSE, industry, technology, law, and academia participating actively.
The Chief Minister explained that tokenization transforms trapped capital in real estate into productive economic opportunities, enhancing transparency, liquidity, and economic growth while making illiquid assets more accessible. He asserted that the future of global finance is taking shape in India, particularly in Mumbai, which is rapidly emerging as a global fintech capital.
Referencing this year’s theme, “Potential of Impact,” Fadnavis stressed the need to translate technological capabilities into real-world changes. Following the establishment of a global benchmark through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), he urged India to focus on democratizing access to credit, investment, ownership, and financial information.
He envisioned a future where an AI assistant could assess an entrepreneur’s financial needs and suggest optimal solutions, while farmers could receive financial advice in their native languages. However, he underscored that despite AI’s role, ultimate control should remain with humans.
Highlighting Maharashtra’s financial, technological, and infrastructural strengths, Fadnavis noted that Mumbai houses the largest financial ecosystem in the country, Pune is a hub for technical talent, and Navi Mumbai is emerging as a center for data infrastructure and global connectivity. The state government is building a robust ecosystem around artificial intelligence, data centers, global capability centers (GCCs), startups, and universities.
He urged industry leaders to view Maharashtra not merely as a market but as a laboratory for innovation. The Chief Minister called for solutions in various sectors, including agriculture, MSMEs, urban development, healthcare, mobility, financial inclusion, fraud prevention, and public finance management, assuring full support from the state for large-scale testing. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India has set a global standard for digital financial infrastructure, and the world is eagerly watching for the next financial revolution from India.
Reiterating the state’s commitment, Fadnavis assured that Maharashtra would act as a pioneer, serving as the largest “real-world testbed” for next-generation fintech solutions, working towards making Mumbai the fintech capital of the world as envisioned by PM Modi. During the event, agreements were exchanged between the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), SEBI, the National Stock Exchange (NSE), and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) concerning their expansions in BKC.
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