NPCI lifts user limit on WhatsApp Pay

January 2, 2025 Finance Talk Valli Sarvani

In a significant move ahead of 2025, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has removed the user cap for WhatsApp Pay.

Thus, it allows the platform to offer Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services to its entire user base in India.

This decision, effective immediately, marks a milestone in India’s digital payment ecosystem, further enhancing financial inclusivity.

Until now, WhatsApp Pay was restricted to a phased onboarding approach, with a cap of 100 million users.

The NPCI’s latest announcement removes this limitation, enabling the service to scale without restrictions.

WhatsApp Pay will continue to adhere to all guidelines and circulars applicable to Third-Party Application Providers (TPAPs) under the UPI framework.

This compliance ensures seamless integration within India’s robust and secure payment infrastructure.

NPCI, an initiative by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), plays a pivotal role in governing and managing the country’s retail payment systems.

The UPI framework, overseen by NPCI, has been instrumental in transforming India’s digital economy. Besides, it also enables fast, secure, and cashless transactions.

The removal of the user cap allows WhatsApp Pay to tap into its vast user base across India. It is a big boost for digital payments.

With WhatsApp being one of the most widely used messaging platforms in the country, this expansion is expected to significantly boost digital transactions.

Users will benefit from UPI’s simplicity, which facilitates instant money transfers between bank accounts.

By granting WhatsApp Pay unrestricted access to onboard users, NPCI aims to foster greater competition and innovation in the digital payment landscape.

This move aligns with India’s vision of creating a cashless economy and strengthening financial inclusion.

As 2025 begins, this development positions WhatsApp Pay as a key player in India’s rapidly evolving payment ecosystem, enhancing convenience for millions and driving growth in the digital economy.

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