India considers reintroducing merchant discount rates on large UPI transactions, prompting concerns among brokers, mutual fund distributors and the wider financial sector about potential impacts on profitability and transaction costs. India’s proposal to reintroduce merchant discount rates on selected Unified…
India adopts a tightly bounded approach to stablecoins, emphasising sovereignty and domestic payment integration amid global regulatory shifts. Stablecoins are increasingly best understood not as speculative crypto tokens but as payment infrastructure: a fast, programmable way to move value across…
India’s government assures consumers that the widely used Unified Payments Interface (UPI) will remain free for person-to-person transactions, while proposing limited, threshold-based merchant charges to sustain the platform’s growth and security. India’s government has said consumers will not be charged…
India’s increased import duties on gold, silver, and platinum have generated over ₹10,463 crore, amid efforts to curb smuggling and protect foreign exchange reserves, marking a significant shift in the country’s import policy. India’s higher import duties on precious metals…
Many Indian salaried workers find their EPF balances lower than expected, often due to nuances in employer contributions, withdrawal effects, and account activity, rather than missing funds. For salaried workers in India, the Employees’ Provident Fund is often treated as…
The Reserve Bank of India has held its repo rate steady for the fourth consecutive period, signalling a cautious approach amid rising inflation pressures and a cautious global monetary stance, while maintaining growth forecasts amid external uncertainties. The Reserve Bank…
Paying house rent in cash does not automatically disqualify claim for HRA exemption, provided taxpayers maintain a solid paper trail, says recent tax guidance and experts. Paying house rent allowance claims in cash does not, by itself, block an income…
Banks in Zurich, Singapore, and London are becoming increasingly cautious about issuing or renewing offshore credit cards for Indian residents due to the RBI’s 180-day remittance rule, impacting wealthy individuals and minors alike. Some offshore banks in financial centres including…
India’s Unified Payments Interface continues to dominate the digital payments landscape, but its rapid expansion shows signs of slowdown amid discussions over introducing merchant charges for large transactions, signalling possible shifts in the country’s digital economy. India’s Unified Payments Interface…
Indian SaaS startups increasingly prioritise payment platforms that streamline compliance, recurring billing, and cross-border transactions, as alternatives to Stripe emerge with features tailored for local needs. For Indian SaaS founders, the problem with Stripe is less about whether it works…
