A digital shunt regulator receives a radio frequency (RF) signal at an antenna which generates a differential output signal over a differential path. A peak detector is coupled to the antenna and receives the differential output signal over the differential path. A first comparator receives a voltage output of the peak detector and a first voltage. A second comparator receives the voltage output of the peak detector and a second voltage. A digital state machine receives an output of the first comparator and an output of the second comparator. A plurality of shunt NMOS transistors receives an output of the digital state machine. The digital state machine is configured to control the number of shunt NMOS transistors that are activated to maintain the voltage output of the peak detector between the first voltage and the second voltage.