Uncovering the Power Structures Driving Fintech, AI, and Emerging Tech

Simpl lays off 80-100 employees after RBI crackdown

03 Oct 2025, 13:19 PM

The layoffs came just days after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) ordered Simpl to immediately stop its payment system operations.

India's payments revolution faces a new test: Securing a growing ecosystem

03 Oct 2025, 12:58 PM

The country has proven its ability to build and scale payment infrastructure at record speed. The bigger test now is whether it can replicate that success in security...

RBI brings the wild west under regulatory fold; Hello, AI friend

30 Sep 2025, 14:10 PM

Sep 19th Edition: We look at the RBI’s unified master directions on payment aggregators and what it means; and how AI companions could be the next big bets for Indian VCs.

Shirish Chandra Murmu appointed as RBI Deputy Governor

29 Sep 2025, 13:56 PM

Murmu will succeed M. Rajeshwar Rao, whose extended tenure as Deputy Governor ends on October 8, 2025.

RBI orders BNPL player Simpl to stop payment operations

25 Sep 2025, 20:29 PM

Simpl has been asked to immediately stop its payment system operations, citing violations of national payment laws.

RBI mandates two-factor authentication for all digital payments from April 2026

25 Sep 2025, 15:10 PM

For digital payments at least one of the factors of authentication must be dynamically created that is unique to that transaction.

PhonePe gets final payment aggregator licence from RBI

19 Sep 2025, 22:20 PM

The approval comes more than two years after the fintech giant first secured in-principle approval from the RBI.

RBI secures massive Mumbai land deal to house new office

16 Sep 2025, 16:34 PM

The land is worth over Rs 3,400 crore at the Nariman Point financial district.

RBI imposes Rs 21 lakh penalty on PhonePe for compliance lapses

12 Sep 2025, 20:06 PM

The RBI said, in an order dated September 10, 2025, a penalty was imposed on PhonePe for non-compliance with certain norms related to PPIs.

Coins, Notes, and a Nation's Story: India's Currency Evolution

10 Sep 2025, 20:53 PM

After the making of RBI, our Money Trivia series now turn to the story of coins and banknotes that have shaped daily life from 1971 to 2025.

Amazon receives RBI nod for Axio acquisition

04 Sep 2025, 17:32 PM

Amazon had first invested in Axio (formerly Capital Float) in 2018, injecting $22 million at about $350 million valuation.

Slice appoints former RBI executive Eugene Karthak as part-time chairman, independent director

01 Sep 2025, 14:21 PM

Karthak earlier served on the board of slice’s parent company Garagepreneurs Internet prior to its banking merger with North East Small Finance Bank last year.

Fintech founders shaping policy; India on AI map?

01 Sep 2025, 11:41 AM

In today's newsletter we have our take on Sahil Kini's shift from startup founder to policymaker, and India's journey towards potentially becoming the third pole in the AI universe.

RBI committee proposes AI framework for financial services sector

14 Aug 2025, 18:41 PM

An RBI survey found that only a fifth of the financial entities were either using or developing AI.

Exclusive: Paytm gets in-principle approval from RBI to operate as payment aggregator

12 Aug 2025, 20:46 PM

The approval comes barely a week after Ant Group's Antfin, backed by Chinese giant Alibaba, offloaded its entire 5.84% stake in Paytm.

AU Small Finance Bank gets RBI's in-principle nod for universal bank licence

07 Aug 2025, 19:01 PM

The in-principle nod to operate as a universal bank was granted under the RBI's process for small finance banks to graduate to universal bank status.

IRCTC gets RBI nod to operate as payment aggregator

06 Aug 2025, 11:42 AM

Now, IRCTC will be able to process and settle online payments initiated on its railway ticketing platform.

Reserve Bank of India history: Timeline

31 Jul 2025, 17:15 PM

From managing currency and credit to overseeing modern fintech ecosystems, RBI’s journey mirrors India’s own transformation -- from colonial rule to a liberalised economy.

Exclusive: ICICI Bank breaks zero-fee UPI model, starts charging payment aggregators

30 Jul 2025, 11:49 AM

Interestingly, not just payment aggregators, the has decided to charge some large merchants – who use the bank’s UPI directly.

RBI governor hints at potential end to free UPI transactions

28 Jul 2025, 20:52 PM

India processed 18.4 billion UPI transactions worth Rs 24.04 lakh crore in June.

EximPe gets in-principle licence to operate as cross-border payment aggregator

15 Jul 2025, 14:52 PM

The licence will help the company enable cross-border transactions for digital services, e-commerce, and B2B goods trade, serving businesses across Asian emerging markets.

Walmart-owned Flipkart gets NBFC licence from the Reserve Bank of India

06 Jun 2025, 11:18 AM

This is the first time the central bank has granted a large e-commerce player in India a lending licence.

RBI vs Government: The battle over India’s digital payments ecosystem explained

28 May 2025, 17:01 PM

A decade-old debate ends with government formalizing oversight of payments through Payments Regulatory Board, redefining roles across RBI, NPCI and fintech.

Exclusive: PayU receives final nod from RBI to operate as payment aggregator

13 May 2025, 18:56 PM

The Gurugram-based fintech received an in-principle approval from the central bank in April 2024 to operate as a payment aggregator.

Poonam Gupta takes charge as RBI Deputy Governer

02 May 2025, 18:27 PM

She succeeds Michael Patra, whose term got over in January this year.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman asks NPCI to address infra gaps to curb UPI outages

30 Apr 2025, 23:03 PM

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman chaired a meeting to review various aspects and the way ahead for the UPI ecosystem.

MobiKwik's Zaakpay gets final nod from RBI to operate as payment aggregator

30 Apr 2025, 22:32 PM

In October 2023, the firm had received in-principle authorization from the RBI to operate as a payment aggregator.

PB Fintech gets RBI's in-principle nod to operate as payment aggregator

16 Apr 2025, 11:41 AM

In March 2024, the company announced incorporation of a wholly owned subsidiary under the name of 'PB Pay' to carry on the business of payment aggregator.

BharatPe secures final RBI nod to operate as payment aggregator

10 Apr 2025, 02:25 AM

The Delhi-based digital payments giant received its in-principle approval from the central bank in January 2023.

RBI allows NPCI to revise UPI limit for merchant transactions

10 Apr 2025, 01:21 AM

P2P transactions on UPI shall continue to be capped at Rs 1 lakh.

Fintech founders float new entity to seek RBI nod for SRO status

07 Apr 2025, 15:48 PM

Once approved, India Fintech Foundation (IFF) will be the second Fintech-SRO after Fintech Association of Consumer Empowerment (FACE).

Exclusive: Paytm’s payment aggregator unit fires all senior executives

04 Apr 2025, 15:08 PM

Nearly 10-15 senior executives—at the AVP, VP, and SVP levels—have been let go from Paytm Payments Services Limited, which is still awaiting its final PA licence from the RBI.

BlackSoil-Caspian Debt merger gets the RBI approval

02 Apr 2025, 17:20 PM

This marks a crucial step toward finalisation of the merger, with only the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) approval remaining.

NPCI’s Silent Power Play: The policy muscle and money behind RuPay’s credit push

19 Mar 2025, 07:08 AM

To capture the credit card market share, the UPI developer is mimicking its debit card strategy—with a slight twist.

RBI invites applications for SRO in account aggregator space

17 Mar 2025, 19:16 PM

In its notification, the central bank said that the interested parties should apply through the PRAVAAH portal before June 15.

Student lending platform Kuhoo Finance gets NBFC licence from RBI

12 Mar 2025, 20:03 PM

Over the past two and a half years, Kuhoo Finance has processed more than 100,000 student applications and facilitated loans worth over Rs 300 crore for 15,000 borrowers.

No foreclosure charges, prepayment penalties on floating rate loans: RBI

24 Feb 2025, 01:31 AM

The RBI wants lenders to eliminate foreclosure charges or pre-payment penalties on all floating rate loans availed by individuals and micro and small enterprises.

RBI lifts ban on Kotak Mahindra Bank nearly after 10 months

13 Feb 2025, 23:46 PM

In April last year, the RBI restricted Kotak Mahindra Bank from onboarding new customers through online channels and issuing new credit cards.

Easebuzz gets final nod from RBI to operate as payment aggregator

12 Feb 2025, 20:54 PM

Easebuzz claims it processes an annualized gross transaction value (GTV) of $30 billion, serving more than two lakh businesses.

PhonePe plans to surrender account aggregator (NBFC-AA) licence

07 Feb 2025, 21:31 PM

The fintech giant plans to exit the account aggregator (AA) space, and said it will partner with other AAs.

Ujjivan Small Finance Bank submits application for universal banking licence

04 Feb 2025, 21:14 PM

The RBI recently set up a committee to evaluate applications for universal banks as well as small finance banks.

Scoop Confirmed: Paytm’s payment aggregator unit CEO Nakul Jain on his way out

27 Jan 2025, 17:45 PM

The Noida-based fintech giant, which has re-applied for the payment aggregator license, is undergoing internal restructuring.

Fintech small finance bank Slice in talks to raise $300 million

27 Jan 2025, 15:17 PM

The company has reportedly briefed the Reserve Bank of India about its fundraising plans.

RBI cancels NBFC licence of X10 Financial, backer of 30 digital loan apps

22 Jan 2025, 18:52 PM

X10, according to the RBI, violated guidelines on the code of conduct in outsourcing of financial services in its digital lending operations.

Cross border payments startup Skydo gets PA-CB in-principle approval from RBI

22 Jan 2025, 14:50 PM

Skydo currently serves over 12,000 exporters in India, processing over $250 million in annual export payments.

RBI sets up committee to evaluate universal banks, SFB applications

21 Jan 2025, 03:47 AM

The Standing External Advisory Committee has been set up by RBI to assess the eligibility of applicants seeking to operate as universal banks and small finance banks.

RBI lifts loan disbursal restrictions on DMI Finance, Asirvad Micro Finance

09 Jan 2025, 23:44 PM

In October, the banking regulator had barred four NBFCs to "cease and desist" from sanction and disbursal of loans.

Decoding Stashfin: Business, funding, and culture struggles — can Paytm veteran turn it around?

06 Jan 2025, 14:10 PM

This story delves into Stashfin’s business operations – which have largely remained out of the public and media spotlight, as the company prefers to keep things under wraps.

NPCI extends 30% UPI volume cap by two years; removes user limits for WhatsApp Pay

02 Jan 2025, 18:48 PM

Last year, The Head and Tale reported that NPCI was facing difficulty in implementing the 30% cap on UPI market share; and the market was going to miss the December 2024 deadline too.

RBI sets up committee for ethical adoption of AI in financial sector

27 Dec 2024, 22:41 PM

The committee will recommend a framework including governance aspects for responsible, ethical adoption of AI models/applications in the Indian financial sector.

RBI allows PPI holders to make UPI payments using third party apps

27 Dec 2024, 22:22 PM

Currently, UPI payments from/to a bank account can be carried out using the UPI application of that bank or of any third-party application provider.

The curious case of Jammu-Based NBFC, 'Mahashakti Financiers'

10 Dec 2024, 15:07 PM

The Pandora’s box opened when the Reserve Bank of India called the new directors of this NBFC to a meeting on November 8…

Sanjay Malhotra is the new RBI Governor

09 Dec 2024, 22:37 PM

Malhotra replaces Shaktikanta Das whose six year tenure comes to an end on December 10, 2024.

RBI allows small finance banks to offer credit line on UPI

07 Dec 2024, 02:36 AM

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das announced that small finance banks will now be permitted to provide pre-sanctioned credit lines through UPI.

RBI increases UPI Lite transaction limit to Rs 1000

05 Dec 2024, 16:25 PM

The wallet limit for UPI Lite has been raised from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000, while the cap for offline transactions has been doubled from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000.

RBI lifts ban on Sachin Bansal-led Navi Finserv

02 Dec 2024, 23:19 PM

In October, the banking regulator had barred Navi Finserv and three other NBFCs to "cease and desist" from sanction and disbursal of loans.

UPI frauds: 6.32 lakh fraud cases worth Rs 485 crore in April-September

26 Nov 2024, 22:45 PM

According to the data revealed by the Ministry of Finance in a reply to Parliament, UPI fraud incidents surged by 85% in FY24.

[Update]: LazyPay clarifies buy-now-pay-later service halt to merchants

13 Nov 2024, 15:26 PM

A source claims LazyPay recently received a letter from the RBI flagging issues in its customer onboarding process, but the company strongly denies receiving any such communication.

Cashfree pilots cross-border payments with Swiggy, Nykaa, others

11 Nov 2024, 16:37 PM

The Bengaluru-based company is "piloting with half a dozen sizable merchants that will be over by the end of this year."

Paytm receives regulator's approval to add new UPI users, after 10-month ban

23 Oct 2024, 18:24 PM

The onboarding process was suspended in February this year due to directives from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

RBI bars fintech lenders Navi, DMI Finance, and others from issuing new loans

18 Oct 2024, 00:50 AM

This action, according to the RBI, is based on material supervisory concerns observed in the Pricing Policy of these companies.

Blame Game Unfolds: Mobikwik, Lendbox at odds amid P2P lending mess

20 Sep 2024, 19:57 PM

More than a month after the RBI’s crackdown on peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, the Lendbox-MobiKwik partnership is showing cracks, with investors facing a lack of transparency.

The Payment Aggregator Paradox: License to Struggle?

24 Jul 2024, 07:13 AM

The much-coveted payment aggregator license maybe losing its sheen as it has turned into a regulatory nightmare for some.

What went wrong with payment aggregator plans of Stripe, Zomato?

04 Jun 2024, 10:23 AM

In the past six months, the RBI has granted final PA licenses to 30 companies. Out of these, one has surrendered its license, and another has put its plans on hold.

RBI asks Visa, Mastercard to halt commercial card-based vendor payments

19 Feb 2024, 22:13 PM

Visa has sent out a communication to its fintech partners asking them to stop Business Payment Service Provider (BPSP) transactions.

Search for: Rbi

Simpl lays off 80-100 employees after RBI crackdown

India's payments revolution faces a new test: Securing a growing ecosystem

RBI brings the wild west under regulatory fold; Hello, AI friend

Shirish Chandra Murmu appointed as RBI Deputy Governor

RBI orders BNPL player Simpl to stop payment operations

RBI mandates two-factor authentication for all digital payments from April 2026

PhonePe gets final payment aggregator licence from RBI

RBI secures massive Mumbai land deal to house new office

RBI imposes Rs 21 lakh penalty on PhonePe for compliance lapses

Coins, Notes, and a Nation's Story: India's Currency Evolution

Amazon receives RBI nod for Axio acquisition

Slice appoints former RBI executive Eugene Karthak as part-time chairman, independent director

Fintech founders shaping policy; India on AI map?

RBI committee proposes AI framework for financial services sector

Exclusive: Paytm gets in-principle approval from RBI to operate as payment aggregator

AU Small Finance Bank gets RBI's in-principle nod for universal bank licence

IRCTC gets RBI nod to operate as payment aggregator

Reserve Bank of India history: Timeline

Exclusive: ICICI Bank breaks zero-fee UPI model, starts charging payment aggregators

RBI governor hints at potential end to free UPI transactions

EximPe gets in-principle licence to operate as cross-border payment aggregator

Walmart-owned Flipkart gets NBFC licence from the Reserve Bank of India

RBI vs Government: The battle over India’s digital payments ecosystem explained

Exclusive: PayU receives final nod from RBI to operate as payment aggregator

Poonam Gupta takes charge as RBI Deputy Governer

FM Nirmala Sitharaman asks NPCI to address infra gaps to curb UPI outages

MobiKwik's Zaakpay gets final nod from RBI to operate as payment aggregator

PB Fintech gets RBI's in-principle nod to operate as payment aggregator

BharatPe secures final RBI nod to operate as payment aggregator

RBI allows NPCI to revise UPI limit for merchant transactions

Fintech founders float new entity to seek RBI nod for SRO status

Exclusive: Paytm’s payment aggregator unit fires all senior executives

BlackSoil-Caspian Debt merger gets the RBI approval

NPCI’s Silent Power Play: The policy muscle and money behind RuPay’s credit push

RBI invites applications for SRO in account aggregator space

Student lending platform Kuhoo Finance gets NBFC licence from RBI

No foreclosure charges, prepayment penalties on floating rate loans: RBI

RBI lifts ban on Kotak Mahindra Bank nearly after 10 months

Easebuzz gets final nod from RBI to operate as payment aggregator

PhonePe plans to surrender account aggregator (NBFC-AA) licence

Ujjivan Small Finance Bank submits application for universal banking licence

Scoop Confirmed: Paytm’s payment aggregator unit CEO Nakul Jain on his way out

Fintech small finance bank Slice in talks to raise $300 million

RBI cancels NBFC licence of X10 Financial, backer of 30 digital loan apps

Cross border payments startup Skydo gets PA-CB in-principle approval from RBI

RBI sets up committee to evaluate universal banks, SFB applications

RBI lifts loan disbursal restrictions on DMI Finance, Asirvad Micro Finance

Decoding Stashfin: Business, funding, and culture struggles — can Paytm veteran turn it around?

NPCI extends 30% UPI volume cap by two years; removes user limits for WhatsApp Pay

RBI sets up committee for ethical adoption of AI in financial sector

RBI allows PPI holders to make UPI payments using third party apps

The curious case of Jammu-Based NBFC, 'Mahashakti Financiers'

Sanjay Malhotra is the new RBI Governor

RBI allows small finance banks to offer credit line on UPI

RBI increases UPI Lite transaction limit to Rs 1000

RBI lifts ban on Sachin Bansal-led Navi Finserv

UPI frauds: 6.32 lakh fraud cases worth Rs 485 crore in April-September

[Update]: LazyPay clarifies buy-now-pay-later service halt to merchants

Cashfree pilots cross-border payments with Swiggy, Nykaa, others

Paytm receives regulator's approval to add new UPI users, after 10-month ban

RBI bars fintech lenders Navi, DMI Finance, and others from issuing new loans

Blame Game Unfolds: Mobikwik, Lendbox at odds amid P2P lending mess

The Payment Aggregator Paradox: License to Struggle?

What went wrong with payment aggregator plans of Stripe, Zomato?

RBI asks Visa, Mastercard to halt commercial card-based vendor payments

Fintech Highlights

Simpl lays off 80-100 employees after RBI crackdown

India's payments revolution faces a new test: Securing a growing ecosystem

Fintech platform Ignosis raises $4 million led by Peak XV's Surge

Zerodha reports 40% fall in brokerage income amid regulatory headwinds

UNLEASH Capital Partners hits final close of first fund at Rs 300 crore

AI/Emerging Tech

Anthropic ropes in ex-Stripe CTO Rahul Patil as chief technical officer

OpenAI valuation touches $500 billion as employees sell shares

OpenAI partners with Samsung, SK to expand AI infra under Stargate project

Thinking Machines Lab unveils first product Tinker

Former Google, OpenAI researchers floated startup Periodic Labs bags seed funding

Money & Machines

What happened after the gaming ban story; VCs' hunt for 'Lovable' in India