&w=3840&q=100)
PhonePe acquires GSPay IP to launch UPI payments for new feature phones
The company in a statement said it plans to customise the stack and launch its own UPI payment app for new feature phones in India in the next few quarters
Press Trust of India New Delhi
PhonePe on Friday said it has acquired the IP of GSPay -- a proprietary technology stack from conversational engagement platform Gupshup -- to enable UPI-based payments on new feature phones.
The company in a statement said it plans to customise the stack and launch its own UPI payment app for new feature phones in India in the next few quarters.
The new app will offer essential UPI features such as peer-to-peer transfers, offline QR payments, and receiving money via mobile numbers or self-QR codes.
Industry research indicates that there were over 24 crore feature phone users in India in 2024, and in the next five years, another 15 crore feature phone shipments are anticipated.
PhonePe CEO Sameer Nigam said the acquisition will help bring millions of feature phone users into the digital payments ecosystem, a segment largely underserved so far.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hindustan Times
37 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
What more to expect from Paraguayan President's visit
A lot can happen over a maiden visit of a State leader. Paraguayan President Santiago Peña's three day long maiden visit to India from June 2- 4 presents a momentum in turning point in the ties of New Delhi and Asuncion, the capital of the landlocked, riverine nation. An economist by degree and occupation, President Peña brings a data-driven perspective to governance, viewing society through analytical metrics not just by his political ideology and preconceived principles, drawing from office. Prior to assuming the presidency, President Pena was the finance minister and once led the Central Bank of Paraguay. President Peña's maiden visit after a brief gap of any leader's visit to India occurs at an time when China has almost no naysayers in Latin America. Paraguay is the only country in South America that maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Strategically, India and Paraguay share a common outlook on supporting Taiwan's autonomy. In December, Paraguay expelled Chinese envoy Xu Wei for alleged interference in its internal affairs. During his visit to New Delhi, President Peña held comprehensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a wide range of issues. He emphasized that Paraguay produces enough food to feed ten times its own population. The nation possesses an intimate knowledge of the soil, yet remains bereft of technological acumen. Agritech and high-tech collaboration are essential between two aspiring nations. India is a perfect match in advancing its ambition for global food security through such partnerships. Interestingly, Paraguay also produces stevia, a natural sweetener permitted in India; however, Indian importers currently rely mostly on China and the US. There is clear scope for Indian players to tap into Paraguay as a new and reliable source. Paraguay's export portfolio is traditionally reserved to the periphery, with most of its trade directed to China, Brazil, and Argentina. However, it is now actively seeking to diversify its partners. As a landlocked nation with no coastline to secure, Paraguay benefits from a relatively low defence burden. It borders Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest—all trade partners, not threats. Given its strategic central location in South America, Paraguay could serve as a valuable regional hub for India to access broader Latin American markets. Both countries are eager to strengthen and expand their existing trade links under the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement. However, consensus among all five MERCOSUR member states is required to expand any talks between India and MERCOSUR. Paraguay's trade with China is about $5 billion plus whereas with India time to time differs from $130 million to $470 million. India wouldn't be in a position to reach anything near that China's export but it should rapidly increase the trade volume. India's advances in IT, digitalisation, innovation, and platforms like UPI and UIDAI have drawn interest from many South American countries, including Paraguay. Paraguay has historically maintained modest defence expenditures, but recent years have seen a shift in strategy. As India begins producing AK-203 assault rifles in Uttar Pradesh in collaboration with Russia, there is growing interest in expanding defence cooperation. Paraguay may consider imports of defence and surveillance items for traditional as well as cyber threats, including Indian-manufactured small arms and police equipment. Paraguay has overcome its traumatic past marked by two wars - the War of the Triple Alliance (1864–1870) against Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, which resulted in the loss of a large part of its territory and left the nation devastated for decades. And the other, Chaco War against Bolivia (1932–1935). Despite being landlocked, Paraguay is crisscrossed by large rivers and generates nearly all its electricity from hydroelectric sources. The Itaipu Dam, a joint operation with Brazil, supplies about 90% of Paraguay's electricity. India's capabilities in riverine and flood data management, as well as weather prediction, could be of immense value to Paraguay's hydro-focused energy sector. Given Paraguay's extensive river systems, there may also be opportunities for India and Paraguay to exchange knowledge or develop initiatives related to riverine connectivity - benefiting from each other's experience as major riverine nations. A member of the Lima Group, Paraguay is a vocal supporter of reforming the United Nations Security Council and other multilateral institutions, including global financial systems. India, with its rich civilizational heritage and growing global influence, is well-positioned to build a deep and enduring relationship with Paraguay—one that spans not just trade, but also for a defiant advocate of multipolarity. For an economist or a social scientist, society is the largest laboratory. During his visit, President Peña has already engaged with numerous leaders and heads of institutions. He showed particular interest in the Vande Bharat trains and connectivity projects, signalling plans to explore and possibly collaborate in these areas. Paraguay, a nation of around seven million people is a vast agrarian country, with approximately 40% of its territory covered in forest. It also possesses rich mineral resources, including critical minerals such as uranium and lithium which are in demand in India. Paraguay has had its share of challenges despite being a high performer in the agriculture sector. India should come forward identifying and helping to eradicate them. With its brigade of travel influencers, India must promote the nation's civilisation-based tourism and Spanish speaking youtubers bring more visitors to India. Paraguay is dire need of applied technology especially IT. Business ties between India and Paraguay could expand beyond meat and soybean exports. Major Indian automobile companies are already present in Paraguay, but there is scope for exporting superior tech-driven mobility equipment such as two-wheelers, lifts, elevators, and goods transporters. This article is authored by Ayanangsha Maitra, journalist, Center of Geoeconomics for the Global South, UAE.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Every payment counts – EaseMyDeal's mission to support India
In the digital era, where most platforms operate solely for profit, EaseMyDeal is setting itself apart with initiative and purpose. Since 1st April 2025, the company has contributed to a Nation-First donation model that turns every user transaction into a meaningful donation. Whether it is bill payments, mobile/DTH recharges, credit card applications, loan disbursements, flight/hotel bookings, digital gold investments, or even shopping from over 500 brand vouchers, EaseMyDeal contributes between ₹1 to ₹100 per transaction from its own pocket to the National Defence Fund, without charging users even a single extra rupee. The National Defence Fund is used for the welfare of members of the Armed Forces and their dependants. What makes this initiative revolutionary is that EaseMyDeal is the first of its kind in the Indian FinTech sector. Unlike other UPI payment platforms, which charge high convenience fees, EaseMyDeal goes the extra mile by not only waiving such charges but also offering cashback on every payment—taking a patriotic step towards contributing to the nation while operating as a business. But this is just the beginning; in the future, users will have the power to choose the funds they wish to support. Future app settings will allow users to choose from NGOs, the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, the National Foundation for Communal Harmony, funds by State Governments for medical relief to the poor, the National Illness Assistance Fund, the National Blood Transfusion Council, the National Sports Fund, the National Cultural Fund, the National Children's Fund, the Swachh Bharat Kosh, the Clean Ganga Fund, and many more. These settings will help EaseMyDeal understand which fund to donate to, based on each user's transactions. In doing so, it's not just about building a customer base—it's about building a community of everyday citizens who now have a new way to support the country through their transactions. Owned and operated by Inditab Esolutions Pvt. Ltd., a company founded by Rishabh Shah, Rohan Raj Sehgal, and Gaurav Chhatwal, EaseMyDeal continues to be one of India's fastest-growing FinTech platforms, offering a variety of services ranging from loans and credit cards to OTT subscriptions and travel bookings. The platform brings everything a modern user needs under one secure app. As of now, the app features over 5,000 bank offers across more than 500 brands. Available on both Android and iOS, the EaseMyDeal app invites all Indians to become integral contributors to the nation's causes. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !


Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
Lenskart changes status to public company in preparation for $1 billion IPO
ETtech Piyush Bansal, CEO, Lenskart Omnichannel eyewear brand Lenskart has converted itself into a public company as it prepares for a public listing, changing its registered name from Lenskart Solutions Private Limited to Lenskart Solutions Limited through a special resolution passed by its shareholders. This comes at a time when Lenskart is considering raising a $1 billion public offering at a potential $10 billion valuation, double that of its last funding round. The transition to a public company is a necessary step before filing its IPO papers. The Gurugram-based company closed a $200 million secondary round in June last year at a $5 billion valuation, with investments from Singapore's sovereign fund Temasek and US financial services giant Fidelity. In July 2024, Lenskart founders Peyush Bansal, Neha Bansal, Amit Choudhary, and Sumeet Kapahi had invested almost $20 million in the company. On February 17, ET reported that the company has set its sights on filing draft papers in May, contingent on market conditions. However, the omnichannel eyewear retailer is yet to file its draft papers. Lenskart, which won the ET Startup Awards last year, has hit an annual revenue run rate of $1 billion (Rs 8,400 crore). The company produces 25 million frames and 30–40 million lenses annually and operates over 2,500 stores across India and Southeast Asia, maintaining a strong online presence. Lenskart's conversion into a public company was first reported by the news website Entrackr. With this, the SoftBank-backed company joins startups like Shiprocket, Zetwerk, PhysicsWallah, Boat, Bluestone, and others that are preparing for IPOs. Since its inception, Lenskart has closed nearly $2 billion in funding, including secondary FY24, Lenskart's net loss shrank to Rs 10 crore from Rs 64 crore in FY23, which the company attributed to technology-driven operational efficiencies. Operating revenue rose 43% to Rs 5,428 crore, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) more than doubled to Rs 856 crore. It is yet to file financial statements for 2024-25 with the Registrar of Companies (RoC).