Topic
Trade Payments
E-Commerce & Marketplaces BNPL Rules Bring Refunds and Rejections as FCA Regulation Takes Effect
New Financial Conduct Authority rules effective from Wednesday require Buy Now Pay Later lenders to be authorised, giving shoppers stronger refund rights and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service. However, instant affordability checks on each transaction may reject 10% to 30% of users, according to Fair4All Finance, raising concerns about pushing consumers toward unregulated alternatives.
E-Commerce & Marketplaces Samsung Leads India Smartphone Sales via EMI Financing, Counterpoint Report Finds
Samsung is India's leading smartphone brand for EMI purchases, followed by Vivo and Apple, according to Counterpoint Research. Financing will account for 42% of smartphone sales in 2026, up from 35% in 2025, as rising component costs push prices higher. NBFCs support 67% of financed sales, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
E-Commerce & Marketplaces EMI and instalment-based smartphone purchases nearly at par with one-time payments in India
According to Counterpoint Research, smartphone financing via NBFCs and credit/debit card EMIs will account for 42% of total smartphone sales in India in 2026, up from 35% in 2025. The trend is driven by rising smartphone prices, attractive no-cost EMI schemes, and increasing consumer preference for monthly payments. Samsung leads in financing penetration with its Samsung Finance+ and other options.
E-Commerce & Marketplaces ToneTag eKosha turns UPI soundboxes into banking touchpoints for Indian MSMEs
Bengaluru-based fintech ToneTag has launched eKosha, a tech stack that turns existing UPI soundboxes into always-on banking touchpoints. The platform uses sound-based data transfer and edge AI to allow merchants to access credit, overdrafts, and other services via voice commands, covering 3 million touch points across 73% of India's pin codes.
E-Commerce & Marketplaces UPI daily volumes rise 1.2% to 75.7 crore in June, value steady at Rs 96,405 crore
Average daily UPI transaction volumes increased 1.2% month-on-month to 75.7 crore in June, while average daily value held steady at Rs 96,405 crore, the National Payments Corporation of India reported. Monthly volumes and values declined from May's strong levels, but year-on-year growth remained robust at 23% and 20% respectively. FASTag and IMPS also saw monthly dips.
E-Commerce & Marketplaces Kunal Shah Exits CRED CEO Role to Run WhatsApp as Meta Invests $900 Million
Kunal Shah is leaving CRED's CEO position to head WhatsApp globally, as Meta invests roughly $900 million for a 20% stake in CRED, valuing it at $4.5 billion post-money. Mark Zuckerberg announced the move, with Will Cathcart stepping aside for a new product role and Miten Sampat taking over as interim CRED CEO.
E-Commerce & Marketplaces Kunal Shah Appointed Global Head of WhatsApp, Stepping Away From Cred Day-to-Day
Meta Platforms appointed Kunal Shah as global head of WhatsApp, replacing Will Cathcart. Shah will relocate to Meta's California headquarters and step away from day-to-day responsibilities at Cred while remaining a shareholder. The move marks a high-profile transition of an Indian startup founder into a top bigtech product leadership role.
E-Commerce & Marketplaces Relay Payments Partners with Platform Science for Enhanced Payment Solutions
Relay Payments has partnered with Platform Science to enhance payment solutions for truck drivers. This integration allows drivers to use Platform Science tablets for secure transactions, reducing fraud risks.
E-Commerce & Marketplaces Windscribe Introduces Cash Payments for VPN Subscriptions
Windscribe has introduced cash payments for its VPN subscriptions, providing users with complete financial anonymity. However, the company warns that this method is slow and risky, with potential for lost or stolen payments.
E-Commerce & Marketplaces UPI Transactions Surge to 30L Cr, Marking 19% Growth
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions in India have surged to 30 lakh crore, marking a 19% year-on-year growth. This increase highlights the expanding role of digital payments in the Indian economy.
E-Commerce & Marketplaces LIC Eyes Fintech Expansion with Strategic Investments
LIC is exploring strategic investments in fintech to modernize its IT infrastructure and enhance returns for policyholders. CEO R Doraiswamy emphasizes the need for agility and innovation.
E-Commerce & Marketplaces UPI Transactions Surge to Record Rs 29.90 Lakh Crore in May
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions in India reached a record Rs 29.90 lakh crore in May, driven by increased consumer activity and seasonal spending. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) reported a significant rise in both transaction volume and value.