Paytm Achieves 100% Indian Ownership After Ant Group Exit
Paytm, one of India’s leading fintech companies, is now 100% Indian-owned after Chinese investor Ant Financial — part of Jack Ma’s Ant Group — sold its remaining 5.84% stake for around ₹3,803 crore. The landmark transaction eliminates all Chinese ownership from Paytm’s parent company, One97 Communications, marking a significant step in the firm’s journey as a homegrown technology leader.
The deal was finalised through a block transaction by Antfin (Netherlands) Holding BV, cementing Paytm’s transformation into a company owned entirely by Indian and global institutional investors. Nearly nine years ago, founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma had famously said, “We are as Indian as Maruti.” Today, that statement is a reality, with Sharma reaffirming the company’s commitment to India’s growth story.
In 2016, Sharma had emphasised Paytm’s “India-first” approach, adherence to local regulations, and mission to empower Indian consumers and merchants. The complete exit of Ant Group comes on the heels of Paytm’s strongest financial performance yet, posting a net profit of ₹123 crore in Q1 FY26 — its first-ever fully profitable quarter. Operating revenue grew 28% year-on-year to ₹1,918 crore, while contribution profit surged 52% to ₹1,151 crore.
The company continues to innovate in digital payments, recently introducing features like hidden/unhidden transactions for privacy, personalised UPI IDs, downloadable statements in Excel/PDF, home screen widgets for quick transactions, and consolidated UPI-linked bank account views. Expanding globally, Paytm now supports UPI payments in the UAE, Singapore, France, Mauritius, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, enabling smoother transactions for Indian travellers abroad.
Industry experts say the move strengthens Paytm’s image as a truly Indian technology champion, while also sending a strong message about local ownership in strategic digital sectors.
