PAYTM is now fully Indian-owned, China’s Ant Financial sold its entire 5.84% stake.
“Paytm is now as Indian as Tata,“ a person familiar with the development told PTI. The deal marks the end of all Chinese power in the fintech establishment, and signals a significant shift in its capital towards domestic and global institutional investors.
Paytm is going all-in on innovation — and at the heart of it is artificial intelligence (AI). Founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma has made it clear that the fintech giant’s future will be “AI-first”, aiming to transform the way digital payments work in India.
In his annual letter to shareholders, Sharma said,
“True to our DNA of innovation, we are proud that our AI-led full stack payment solution continues to redefine how millions of merchants accept payments, run their business, and serve their customers. We remain committed to being AI-first in every product we offer and every process that powers us.”
He stressed that Paytm’s focus on its core payment business and stronger fundamentals are setting the company on a clear path to sustainable growth and profitability. As one of the earliest adopters of AI in Indian fintech, Paytm has already integrated the technology into every stage of its products and services.
Paytm Now 100% Indian-Owned – “As Indian as Tata”
Nearly nine years ago, Sharma famously said, “We are as Indian as Maruti.” Today, that statement is more than symbolic — it’s reality.
Paytm is now 100% Indian-owned after Jack Ma’s Ant Financial exited One97 Communications (Paytm’s parent company) by selling its remaining 5.84% stake for about ₹3,803 crore.
With Antfin (Netherlands) Holding BV officially out, Chinese ownership in Paytm is now zero. A person familiar with the deal said, “Paytm is now as Indian as Tata.”
Major Boardroom Changes – CFO Steps Down, Ex-Bureaucrat Resigns
In a significant leadership update, Madhur Deora, Paytm’s Group CFO and Executive Director, will step down from the board as he won’t be seeking reappointment at the upcoming AGM.
However, Deora will continue in his full-time role as President & Group CFO, helping Sharma expand the business and boost profitability.
“I’ve been on the board for about two-and-a-half, three years… it was never meant to be permanent,” Deora said. Paytm’s general counsel will now be nominated for the board role.
Additionally, Bimal Julka, a former bureaucrat and non-executive independent director, has also resigned.
Adani Group to Build Paytm’s Noida IT Complex
In another big move, Adani group firm Manorview Developers will develop Paytm’s IT and ITes complex in Sector 159, Noida. The 10-acre land was allotted to Paytm back in 2018 by the Noida Authority.
Earlier, the project was supposed to be developed under a joint arrangement with ACE Builders and Promoters, but Paytm has now decided to move ahead independently.
The board has approved Manorview Developers — a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adani Infrastructure and Developers — as the EPC contractor for the project.
