The financial arm of Paytm, India’s biggest digital payments platform, Paytm Payments Bank is set to launch their own debit card. Paytm founder Vijay Sekhar Sharma took to Facebook to announce the arrival of these RuPay cards.
According to reports, One97 Communications founder Vijay Sekhar Sharma and other existing investors have invested close to $ 9.3 million in the Payments Bank for launching their own ATM cards. The card will let users pay in places where there is no option to pay via Paytm. According to a statement released by Payments Bank, they can now accept customer deposits up to Rs. 1 lakh per customer in both savings and current accounts.
In the documents filed at the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Paytm Payments Bank said “…the consent of the Board is hereby accorded to issue on a right basis, 6,00,00,000 equity shares of the company of the face value of Rs. 10 to the investor….” The filings also reveal the board approved the issue of the equity shares on July 25, 2017.
In this round of investment, Vijay Sharma invested Rs. 30 crores whereas One97 Communications invested Rs. 23 crores and the remaining amount, close to Rs. 7 crores was invested by One97 Communications India. Sharma will be issued 30.6 million shares as a part of this round of funding while One976 communications has been allotted around 23.4 million shares.
The new Paytm debit card will allow users to shop from rival ecommerce sites or book a cab from aggregators other than Uber using their Paytm money. The Paytm Payments Bank operations were launched earlier this year and is a first mobile bank with zero charges on all online transactions and no minimum balance requirement. The bank received an initial investment of $ 34.2 million at the time of its launch in May. Sharma is the majority shareholder of the Nodia headquartered firm, while Alibaba backed One97 Communications holds the rest of the shares. The new debit card, as per their website, will also include a free insurance cover of up to $ 3,116, close to Rs. 2 lakhs, in the incident of death or permanent total disability.
OYO, India’s leading hospitality startup, has retained strong profitability in FY25, driven by a significant deferred tax gain and a bold corporate identity overhaul. The company’s net profit surged to ₹623 crore, marking a 172% year-on-year growth, with adjusted EBITDA reaching ₹1,132 crore a 27% increase from the previous fiscal. Total revenue rose by 20% to ₹6,463 crore, propelled by strategic expansion in premium segments and the integration of G6 Hospitality into OYO’s growing portfolio.
The deferred tax gain of ₹765.6 crore played a crucial role in OYO’s profitability for FY25, helping overcome challenges from operational losses and global expansion costs. Meanwhile, OYO launched a campaign to rename its parent company, Oravel Stays Ltd, aiming for a tech-first, globally resonant brand identity as the business prepares for its IPO. This rebranding signals OYO’s shift toward broader urban living solutions, with the “OYO Hotels” brand remaining unchanged for consumers while the corporate entity targets premium and tech-driven markets worldwide.
OYO’s premiumization strategy and aggressive international growth have led to record results for the fourth quarter of FY25, with gross booking value surging 54% to ₹16,436 crore and revenue hitting new highs. These achievements highlight OYO’s disciplined financial management and commitment to innovation, setting a benchmark for Indian startups navigating global expansion and sustained profitability in the hospitality technology sector.
Mobile Premier League (MPL), one of India’s top online gaming platforms, is set to lay off about 60% of its India workforce following the government’s ban on paid online games. The move, confirmed by MPL CEO Sai Srinivas through an internal email, will impact around 300 employees across multiple departments including marketing, finance, operations, engineering, and legal. This decision comes as a direct result of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which restricts paid online games involving monetary stakes to address concerns over financial risks and addiction among young users.
India contributed nearly half of MPL’s revenues, estimated at around $100 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year. With the ban on paid gaming, MPL’s primary revenue source in India has been effectively cut off, prompting the company to shift focus towards free-to-play games and expand its presence in overseas markets such as the United States and Brazil. Despite the layoffs, MPL has pledged to support the affected employees through the transition period. CEO Sai Srinivas expressed regret over the downsizing but highlighted the company’s commitment to developing new business models for the Indian market amid the regulatory changes.
This development significantly disrupts the Indian online gaming industry, which was on track to grow into a $3.6 billion sector by 2029 before the introduction of the ban. While competitors like Dream11 have adapted by discontinuing paid games and avoiding layoffs, the ban has forced many gaming startups in India to rethink their operations. The government’s regulation targets all games involving real money stakes, including fantasy sports and popular card games like rummy and poker, reshaping the future landscape for the country’s gaming ecosystem and its workforce.
The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has granted approval for the amalgamation of Info Edge’s subsidiary, Makesense Technologies, with PB Fintech as of August 29, 2025, in a significant move for India’s fintech sector. This strategic merger aligns with Info Edge’s ongoing focus on streamlining its corporate structure and supports PB Fintech’s growth trajectory as the operator of leading platforms such as Policybazaar and Paisabazaar. The amalgamation, cleared by NCLT’s Chandigarh bench, took place without winding up either company, enabling a seamless blending of assets and expertise for greater operational efficiency.
In the specifics of this deal, Makesense Technologies—holding a 13.04% stake in PB Fintech as of June 2025—will see its shareholders allotted 59,750 equity shares and 60,030 compulsorily convertible preference shares from PB Fintech, with no change to Info Edge’s underlying economic interest. The consolidation is expected to cut compliance and administrative costs, simplify the equity structure, and enable both companies to focus on core business strengths without duplication of resources. This move is designed to strengthen PB Fintech’s position in India’s fast-evolving fintech and insurance market, while keeping Info Edge’s investment objectives intact.
The NCLT-approved merger highlights a broader trend of consolidation within India’s tech-driven industries, as major players seek to boost competitiveness and achieve sustainable growth through mergers and amalgamations. Stakeholders—including shareholders and employees—are set to benefit from the new, streamlined structure, increased transparency, and the promise of enhanced value creation going forward. The unification of Makesense Technologies and PB Fintech is expected to make a positive impact on the broader fintech ecosystem, reinforcing both companies’ leadership and innovation agendas.
