RBI relaxes rules but keeps checks for fintech expansion

FROM1YEAR TO 1MONTH

- AJINKYA KAWALE

Fully licensed payment aggregators (PAs) can now branch out faster into new segments such as cross-border (CB) payments, with the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI's) latest guidelines streamlining approvals and fast-tracking market entry.

Under the new framework, a fully licensed PA can begin operations in other PA categories by simply notifying the RBI 30 days in advance — a sharp shift from the earlier regime that required nearly a year for separate approvals in areas such as CB payments often delaying revenue growth and expansion.

Two founders of fully licensed PAs told Business Standard that the move will accelerate their go-to-market plans in lucrative segments like CB payments.