Regulatory Sandbox

A controlled program run by a regulator that lets startups test innovative products, often in fintech, with real customers under relaxed rules and close supervision, before full authorization.

Why it matters

Sandboxes let startups in heavily regulated sectors validate ideas without first clearing every rule, lowering the barrier to innovate. For fintech and similar founders, using one can be the difference between testing legally and not at all.

For example

A payments startup tests a new product with real customers under the RBI's regulatory sandbox, operating under relaxed rules and close supervision.

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