Author

Élodie Marchand

Fintech Correspondent. Reports on payments, digital banking, and financial technology products changing how money moves. She covers neobanks, processors, and embedded finance with an emphasis on business models and regulation.

Articles by Élodie Marchand

Fintech24 September 20264 min read

Meta Connect 2026: VR Glasses, Camera-Free Smart Glasses Lead Product Blitz

Meta unveiled a lightweight VR glasses headset, camera-free smart glasses, and a slate of AI updates at its annual Connect event, directly addressing privacy backlash with a dedicated audio-only model.

Élodie Marchand

A hand holds a smartphone displaying popular payment apps for digital transactions.

Fintech22 September 20264 min read

PhonePe CEO Defends UPI Fee Model, Says Industry Needs Commercial Revenue to Sustain Growth

Sameer Nigam backed the government’s new 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate on large UPI transactions, arguing the industry is “bleeding money” and can no longer rely on taxpayer-funded subsidies. Brokerages estimate the levy could generate ₹15,000-20,600 crore in annual revenue for banks and fintechs.

Élodie Marchand

Close-up of digital currency transaction using blockchain technology on tablet with laptop and euro bills.

Startups21 September 20264 min read

Stablecoin payments firm dtcpay closes $25M Series A anchored by Japan's SBI Group

Singapore-based dtcpay completed its $25 million Series A round after securing investment from Japanese financial conglomerate SBI Group, signaling growing institutional appetite for compliant stablecoin payment infrastructure. The funds will support expansion of the company's merchant network, product suite, and regulated market footprint.

Élodie Marchand

Fintech20 September 20265 min read

PhonePe CEO backs 0.4% UPI MDR, says industry needs sustainable revenue model

PhonePe CEO Sameer Nigam defended the government’s decision to introduce a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate on select UPI transactions, arguing the digital payments ecosystem is “bleeding money” and cannot rely on taxpayer-funded subsidies.

Élodie Marchand

Close-up of a young man applying a clay face mask with a mirror.

Fintech14 August 20264 min read

Sitharaman Clarifies UPI Charges: MDR on Merchants Only, Consumers Exempt

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said any Merchant Discount Rate on UPI transactions will be levied solely on merchants, not consumers, and a decision on the fee will be taken only after Parliament passes the enabling legislation. The Payments Council of India separately confirmed that UPI will remain free for users and small merchants.

Élodie Marchand

South Asian man using electric vehicle charging station in India, holding smartphone with app.

Fintech14 August 20264 min read

Sitharaman: UPI Charges Only on Merchants, Not Consumers — Clarification Removes Uncertainty for Digital Payments Ecosystem

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday rejected claims that ordinary users would face charges for Unified Payments Interface transactions, clarifying that any future Merchant Discount Rate would be borne solely by merchants — a statement that eases market anxiety over the sustainability of India's digital payments infrastructure.

Élodie Marchand

Close-up of hands making a contactless card payment indoors, highlighting cashless transaction technology.

Fintech13 August 20264 min read

India's UPI fee debate heats up as government clears way for potential merchant charges, fintech ecosystem on alert

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has clarified that any Merchant Discount Rate on UPI would apply only to merchants, not consumers, after the Lok Sabha passed legislation enabling the government to modify the current zero-MDR framework. The Payments Council of India has assured small merchants will not be charged, but critics argue the move threatens financial inclusion gains.

Élodie Marchand

Top view of various Indian rupee banknotes and coins, highlighting financial themes.

Fintech12 August 20264 min read

Sitharaman Rejects UPI Consumer Fee Claims, Says Merchant Charges Won't Reach End Users

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified that any Merchant Discount Rate on UPI transactions will be borne by merchants, not customers, and that no decision on the fee has been taken until Parliament passes the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

Élodie Marchand

Fintech11 August 20264 min read

Sitharaman: No UPI Charges for End Users, Any MDR Falls on Merchants

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has ruled out any fee on UPI for consumers, stating that a potential Merchant Discount Rate would apply only to merchants and that a decision rests on parliamentary passage of a pending bill.

Élodie Marchand

Fintech11 August 20264 min read

Sitharaman rejects UPI fee fears, says merchant charges not for consumers

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said any Merchant Discount Rate on UPI would apply only to merchants, not customers, and that no decision has been taken yet — a committee will examine the matter after Parliament passes a pending bill.

Élodie Marchand