In-depth reporting, market intelligence, and analytical commentary on deepdives.
A simple way to look at it is: Meta may have finally found a way to monetize WhatsApp; Cred gets fresh capital; and Kunal Shah gets a global role. But is that really the whole story?
New-age startup IPO class faces a reality check. Stocks have stumbled, yet early investors are cashing out.
The story behind ICICI Bank's interchange recovery effort starts with merchant category codes and the economics they shape.
Ten years after the launch of SIDBI's Fund of Funds, it is time to examine how the institution evolved alongside India's startup ecosystem.
Some payment aggregator companies have faced penalties by card networks for misclassifying merchants under the utility merchant category codes.
The Reserve Bank of India has cancelled the licence of Paytm Payments Bank, bringing a long-running regulatory standoff to an end.
![The untold story behind Pine Labs' multi-year OMC contracts [Exclusive]](/upload/theheadandtale.com/2026/03/1772442637_95355ba037_pinelabs_lead.jpg)
The IOCL, BPCL and HPCL deals reflect a quiet realignment in PSU fuel payment mandates.
The RBI has directed payment aggregators to stop the misuse of education merchant category codes (MCC)...
BillDesk is one of the few major payment aggregators in the country with no offline play.
![The corporate credit card that wasn't really a credit card – now under the RBI lens [Exclusive]](/upload/theheadandtale.com/2026/02/1771833208_9473128f76_corporate_credit.jpg)
Two years after the RBI halted commercial card-based vendor payments, the regulator has now turned its attention to another 'corporate credit card' structure.
![The LAP rush and MSME mirage: Is fintech lending building its next risk? [Part-3]](/upload/theheadandtale.com/2026/01/1769028277_4da8f25e96_lap_bl.jpg)
After regulatory tightening, fintech lending adapted through MSMEs and LAP – creating growth that looks safer, but may not be.
![Why fintech NBFC IPOs are missing from the public market boom [Part-2]](/upload/theheadandtale.com/2026/01/1768774409_564d28329c_fintechipo.jpg)
Private market valuations, unsecured loan books and tighter regulation are forcing India's fintech lending companies to rethink their IPO plans…
![From 'usurious pricing' ban to co-lending concerns: The unending test for fintech lending [Part-1]](/upload/theheadandtale.com/2026/01/1768330780_297f43dbe5_digital_lending1.jpg)
The RBI's ban on Navi in 2024 marked a turning point for fintech lending. Nearly a year on, the sector is still searching for a restart.
The Head and Tale brings you a dataset highlighting FY25 financials, revenue, expenses and profit & loss of close to 180 startups.
What began as a few distressed sale conversations has now widened into a full-blown consolidation wave in India's offline payments space.
The shift in strategy comes as Bajaj Finance looks to reduce capital expenditure and avoid the regulatory obligations.
Fiserv has been reaching out to payments companies and banks since past few weeks, industry insiders informed.
In July this year, Shoppin co-founder Utsav Soi filed a petition accusing co-founder Shlok Bhartiya and Info Edge of "oppression and mismanagement."
A new wave of global capital is flowing into Indian banks. Deals led by DBS, Emirates NBD, and SMBC signal a shift in how foreign lenders are choosing to participate in the country's financial system.
PayU has been seriously exploring a buyout in offline space for quite some time now. It also had talks with two other companies.
