Payment innovations are transforming the Indian financial system by making transactions faster, easier, and more secure. It’s thrilling to see India’s transformation from a cash-based economy to one known for its sophisticated digital payment infrastructure. The payment industry is undergoing a digital transformation, fueled by forward-thinking regulatory compliances, technical breakthroughs, and increased mobile internet usage. Implementing modern digital payment solutions such as mobile wallets, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and electronic wallets has increased the availability and simplicity of access to financial services for both individuals and businesses. Unified Payments Interface UPI transactions are popular among consumers and businesses due to their convenience and speed. According to the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), the number of digital payments in India increased by 33% year on year in the fiscal year 2021-2022. During this period, a total of 7,422 crore digital payment transactions were recorded, a considerable rise from the previous fiscal year’s (5,554 crore transactions). By 2030, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is expected to reach US$ 253 Billion from US $165 Billion in the year 2022, growing at a CAGR of 5% Digital Wallets Mobile wallets like Paytm, Google Pay, and PhonePe have also gained popularity in India. Users can use these digital wallets to store money online and pay for goods and services. They are convenient for small transactions and have grown in popularity as a substitute for cash. E-wallets such as Amazon Pay and PayPal are also gaining popularity in India. Users can use these digital wallets to store money electronically and pay for goods and services online. They are especially beneficial for online shopping and have grown in popularity as a viable alternative to credit and debit cards. According to a CLSA estimate, digital payments in India are expected to exceed USD 1 trillion by 2026. The rise will be driven by an increase in online consumption and the use of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27%. Digital payments are estimated to account for 30% of Indian consumption. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) is now a modest fraction of digital payments, accounting for USD 15-20 billion, or 5-6%. It is predicted to expand fivefold to USD 90–100 billion by 2026, accounting for around 10% of digital payments. CDBC The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently launched a pilot program for issuing Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in the retail market, which is a significant step. This pilot program, which will be carried out in conjunction with commercial banks and technology suppliers, intends to provide useful insights into the technological, legal, and regulatory concerns surrounding the issuing of a CBDC. The potential benefits of a CBDC in the retail segment are numerous. The increased security and resilience provided by a CBDC can greatly enhance the stability and reliability of the financial system. The improved access to financial services enabled by a CBDC can greatly enhance financial inclusion for individuals and businesses. The greater efficiency in the financial system brought about by a CBDC can lead to cost savings and increased productivity for all stakeholders. It is worth noting that this initiative is in line with the global trend of central banks exploring the potential of CBDCs, as many countries are investigating the use of digital currencies to improve financial inclusion and increase efficiency in the financial system. Payment innovations are playing a critical role in changing the Indian finance market. Industry experts predict that a variety of global trends, including better customer journeys, digital wallets, embedded payments, augmented reality, new features of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), and even a rise in digital currencies, will bring innovations to the market. As a result, the Indian finance market will be more efficient and inclusive than ever before.
Tag: innovation
Introducing Supply Chain Finance
Supply Chain Finance (SCF) is a technology solution that lowers financing costs for buyers and sellers. It tracks invoice approval and settlement and automates transactions to improve the efficiency of all the parties involved in a sales transaction. The supply chain financing market is expected to reach a CAGR of 17.1% by 2024. According to Mckinsey reports, SCF eligibility will increase from less than 40% to as much as 80% in the upcoming years as supply chain leaders are looking for better solutions. By 2031, the supply chain finance market is expected to reach $13.4 billion. Indian Supply Chain Financing Ecosystem Challenges Compared to global trends, India’s supply chain financing (SCF) is still nascent. Indian MSMEs employ more than 11 crore people and contribute 29% of the GDP. Also, 70% of MSMEs require working capital funds. However, SCF remains inaccessible due to the legacy banking systems. Many MSMEs don’t meet the banking requirements criteria. The estimated credit gap is Rs. 20-25 trillion. This credit gap forces the MSMEs to approach third-party lenders, which results in higher costs, stunted growth, low profitability, and a volatile business model. The COVID economic disruption doesn’t help either. The low-cost SCF option provides extended financing for MSMEs and helps lenders manage credit risks. Source: Allied Market Research According to the new Factoring Regulations Act 2011, more than 182 NBFCs can now offer factoring services. Previously, NBFCs could meet only 20% of the funding requirements for MSMEs. Digitisation Is Paramount To SCF Innovation Digitisation is the key to achieving seamless SCF solutions for Indian MSMEs. Businesses will have access to more customised SCF products that help increase the working capital. Apart from invoices, businesses can benefit from other fintech offerings such as a letter of credit, import and import bills, shipping guarantees, performance bonds, and more. Technology innovations such as fintech digital delivery, industry utilities, API technologies, and blockchain bring supply chain financing closer to SMEs. With the non-availability of credit history, lenders can use AI-based risk assessment solutions to evaluate creditworthiness. Such solutions also predict business growth, enabling lenders to offer SCF financing. Source: PWC Fintechs can bring about innovation in SCF solutions in the following ways: Incorporate API-enabled services using a customer-centric tech stack. Use data to understand supply chain networks to innovate new opportunities. Use blockchain-distributed ledgers to improve the transparency of the financing platform. Introduce innovative products such as CAPEX discounting, invoice discounting, warehouse receipt finance, dynamic discounting, early cycle discounting, and SCF securitisation. Various initiatives from the Government of India encourage SCF. The fintech platforms can use the existing rails to improve their SCF offerings in the following ways: Leverage TReDS and GSTN linking to understand MSME cash flows for invoice financing better. Use the AA framework to provide financing options for suppliers and buyers. India’s addressable supply chain market is estimated to be Rs. 60,000 crores, while the total market value is Rs. 18 lakh crore. Digital supply chain solutions facilitate fully trackable transactions to seamless trading between buyers and suppliers.