Methods, systems, and devices for scrambling initialization indication for higher bands are described. For example, a user equipment (UE) may receive a synchronization signal block (SSB) from a base station, the SSB including a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a data payload, and a demodulation reference signal (DMRS). The UE may identify a first part of a cell identifier (ID) of the base station, a second part of the cell ID, or both, indicated in a sequence of the DMRS, indicated in the data payload, or a combination thereof. The UE may monitor for a message from the base station based on identifying the cell ID.