New Delhi: Nearly nine years ago, Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Founder and CEO of Paytm, stated in an interview with PTI, “We are as Indian as Maruti,” when asked about the company’s ownership structure. What was once regarded as merely symbolic has now become a reality, as Paytm has evolved into a genuinely Indian company, both in essence and shareholding.
Expanding on this statement, a source familiar with the details of the agreement remarked, “Paytm is now as Indian as Tata.”
This transformation was solidified with the recent exit of Antfin (Netherlands) Holding BV, which divested its remaining 5.84% stake in Paytm for around ₹3,800 crore through a block deal. As a result, Chinese ownership in the company has been eliminated, signifying a major change in its shareholding structure.
In 2016, Vijay Shekhar Sharma reiterated Paytm’s strong commitment to India’s growth narrative, emphasizing the company’s Indian ethos and its alignment with national priorities. During a period marked by significant global interest and strategic investments in the startup ecosystem, Sharma highlighted Paytm’s unwavering compliance with local regulations, its India-first approach to innovation, and its dedication to empowering Indian consumers and merchants. His belief showcased a forward-thinking vision of creating a world-class, homegrown technology leader rooted in the country’s regulatory and economic landscape.
With Ant Group’s full withdrawal, Paytm’s capitalization table has significantly shifted in favor of both domestic and international institutional investors. The timing of this structural change holds considerable importance. It comes on the heels of a robust Q1 FY26 performance, during which the Noida-based company achieved a Profit After Tax (PAT) of ₹123 crore, marking its first fully profitable quarter and exceeding analyst expectations. Operating revenue increased by 28% year-on-year, reaching ₹1,918 crore, while contribution profit experienced a remarkable 52% YoY surge, totaling ₹1,151 crore.
Paytm, recognized as India’s top and fastest payments application, is continuously improving the mobile payments experience through customer-focused innovations. The company has unveiled five significant features:
- Privacy Options: Users can now hide or unhide specific payments for increased privacy.
- Home Screen Widgets: Features like ‘Receive Money’ provide quicker access.
- Personalized UPI IDs: Users can create unique handles without disclosing mobile numbers.
- Downloadable UPI Statements: Available in Excel or PDF formats for easy record-keeping.
- Consolidated Balance View: A comprehensive overview of total balances across all UPI-linked bank accounts.
As part of its global expansion, Paytm now facilitates UPI payments in countries such as the UAE, Singapore, France, Mauritius, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, ensuring smoother transactions for Indian travelers overseas.