Category: Finance

  • Blockchain-Powered Grain Receipts: Arya.ag Tests Tokenized Loans for India’s $2B Farm Assets

    Blockchain-Powered Grain Receipts: Arya.ag Tests Tokenized Loans for India’s $2B Farm Assets

    Arya.ag, a major agricultural commodity network in India, is piloting tokenized grain receipts on the Avalanche blockchain. The initiative aims to digitize collateral verification and streamline lending for farmers, leveraging approximately $2 billion in stored agricultural commodities.

    Tokenized Receipts Link Physical Assets to Digital Loans

    The pilot converts verified warehouse receipts and related data into blockchain-based digital records. Working with Finternet, Arya.ag connects grain deposits, collateral commitments, warehouse receipts, and loan status on a single digital ledger. Each tokenized receipt represents ownership of stored commodities, creating a transparent link between physical assets and lending records.

    Devika Mittal, head of Ava Labs India, confirmed that testing is underway for the tokenized warehouse receipt system. The goal is to improve collateral verification and create more efficient lending workflows for agricultural borrowers.

    Potential Benefits for Agricultural Lending

    Traditional farm lending often requires banks to manually verify ownership, inventory, insurance, and existing collateral claims. Tokenized records could consolidate these details, reducing redundant checks and giving lenders clearer visibility. Banks could verify stored crops faster and check whether another lender already holds claims against those assets. Farmers could approach multiple lenders with a single verified digital record.

    Greater lender competition could eventually improve loan terms, processing times, and financing flexibility. The model also supports post-harvest financing, allowing stored crops to secure working capital so farmers can avoid immediate crop sales when market prices are unfavorable.

    Challenges and Infrastructure Focus

    Blockchain cannot independently prove that physical grain exists inside a warehouse. Reliable inspections, accurate warehouse records, legal ownership, and strong data controls remain essential. Digital access is another hurdle, as many farmers face limited connectivity, devices, or digital literacy.

    Arya.ag’s pilot therefore focuses on building infrastructure rather than promising immediate cheaper or faster credit. The company notes that faster approvals and broader credit access are potential outcomes that require real-world validation.

    Future Opportunity: Composite Digital Records

    The larger opportunity involves composite digital records that combine farmer, commodity, insurance, and loan information. Such systems could eventually create a portable financial identity for agricultural assets and lending decisions. For Indian agriculture, tokenization could become less about cryptocurrency and more about trusted collateral infrastructure.

  • Visa and ONDC Join Forces to Revolutionize Tourism Discovery in India

    Visa and ONDC Join Forces to Revolutionize Tourism Discovery in India

    Visa and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) have announced plans to explore a collaboration aimed at enhancing tourism discovery and digital commerce in India. The announcement was made at the Global Fintech Festival 2026.

    The proposed partnership seeks to help travelers find destinations, tourism experiences, itineraries, and local businesses through digital channels. Visa and ONDC will assess how Visa’s digital commerce and discovery capabilities can integrate with ONDC’s open network infrastructure.

    Digital Tourism Discovery Network

    The initiative will focus on leveraging open network technology, trusted digital commerce, and digital tools to improve how travelers search for tourism services. The envisioned system could allow users to discover cities, attractions, travel plans, and businesses through connected digital services.

    Suresh Sethi, Visa Group Country Manager for India and South Asia, noted that open networks have become a vital part of India’s digital development. He emphasized that travelers increasingly expect digital tools to help plan journeys and find relevant experiences. “Tourism can be a very important asset where ONDC can serve as the digital infrastructure for tourism in the country,” Sethi said at the Global Fintech Festival 2026.

    Sethi also highlighted the growing use of digital agents to build travel plans and help users discover services. He suggested that a tourism network could bring together information about cities, travel itineraries, experiences, and small businesses in a connected digital system. “Everything related to tourism, whether discovering experiences, cities or travel itineraries, as well as small and medium businesses of the ecosystem can potentially be housed in one place,” he added.

    Connecting Travelers with Local Businesses

    ONDC views tourism as part of its broader mission to create digital markets for sellers while offering buyers more choices. The network already operates across sectors such as retail, financial services, and logistics.

    Hrushikesh Mehta, Chief Business Officer for Financial Services at ONDC, revealed that the network has processed over 500 million lifetime transactions. He explained that ONDC now sees tourism as another area where its open commerce model can connect buyers with service providers. “At ONDC, our North Star is creating markets for sellers and choice for buyers, whether it is in retail, financial services, logistics or tourism,” Mehta said.

    Mehta also noted that ONDC has received support from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture for its tourism track. However, he stressed the need for stronger participation from the demand side. “We are very keen to work with Visa to see what we can do together to make that happen and help connect travellers with the diverse experiences that India has to offer,” he stated.

    Expanding Access to India’s Tourism Services

    Under the proposed collaboration, Visa and ONDC will explore ways to connect travelers with tourism providers across different destinations and regions. They will also assess how digital discovery tools can make local tourism businesses more accessible.

    The approach could cover travel experiences, destination information, itineraries, and services offered by small and medium enterprises. It may also provide an additional digital channel for tourism operators participating in ONDC’s open network.

    Visa would contribute its digital commerce and discovery capabilities, while ONDC would provide its open network infrastructure. No launch date or detailed rollout plan has been announced yet. For now, the initiative remains in the exploration phase, with both organizations evaluating potential models for tourism discovery and digital commerce to serve domestic and international travelers across India.

  • Indian Equities Open Lower as Crude Oil Surge Pressures Sentiment: Nifty and Sensex Decline

    Indian Equities Open Lower as Crude Oil Surge Pressures Sentiment: Nifty and Sensex Decline

    The Indian stock market opened sharply lower on Friday, weighed down by a continued surge in crude oil prices that dampened investor sentiment. The Nifty 50 index started the session 207.5 points or 0.88% lower at 23,270.30, while the Sensex fell 593.43 points to 74,309.16. The Bank Nifty also opened 501.8 points below its previous close.

    Broader market indices mirrored the weakness, with the Nifty midcap index slipping 0.4% while the smallcap index remained flat. The Indian rupee weakened further, opening 24 paise lower at Rs 95.68 against the US dollar, compared to its previous close of Rs 95.44.

    According to NSE data, foreign institutional investors turned net sellers on Thursday, offloading equities worth Rs 438.24 crore. In contrast, domestic institutional investors remained buyers, purchasing a net Rs 1,025.85 crore worth of Indian shares.

    Sensex Outlook

    Technically, the short-term outlook for the Sensex remains weak, but oversold conditions could trigger a pullback. “For day traders, 74,700 would act as key support zones, while 75,000 would be the immediate hurdle for the bulls. A move above 75,000 could extend the bounce back to 75,500-75,700. Conversely, below 74,700, selling pressure is likely to accelerate, potentially dragging the index to 74,500-74,200,” said Shrikant Chouhan, Head of Equity Research at Kotak Securities.

    Nifty 50 Outlook

    The Nifty 50 formed a high-wave candle on the daily chart with a lower high and lower low, indicating consolidation with a corrective bias. Weakness could extend the recent one-month decline toward the 23,300-23,200 zone in the coming sessions—the 80% retracement level of the prior up move from 23,070 to 24,774.

    On the upside, a pullback is possible if Nifty holds above Thursday’s low of 23,380. “A pullback attempt will face immediate resistance at Wednesday’s gap area of 23,650, with stiff resistance around 23,800-24,000 levels—the recent breakdown zone and the 20-day EMA. The previous support area is likely to reverse its role and act as resistance in the short term,” explained Pabitro Mukherjee, Deputy Vice President-Research at Bajaj Broking.

    Bank Nifty Outlook

    The Bank Nifty formed a small bullish candle on its daily chart in the prior session, but the pattern of lower highs and lower lows persists, signaling consolidation with a corrective bias. The index currently trades near the lower end of its 10-week range of 56,000-58,700. A break below 56,000 could trigger further downside toward 55,300 and 54,800 in the coming weeks.

    “The immediate bias remains down, and only a sustained formation of higher highs and higher lows on the daily chart would signal a pause in the downtrend. Sustaining above 56,000 on a closing basis would indicate a continuation of the 10-week consolidation,” added Mukherjee.

    Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before making any investment decisions.

  • FTSE 100 Dips 9.70 Points to 10,618 as Strong UK GDP Fails to Counter Oil and Global Headwinds

    FTSE 100 Dips 9.70 Points to 10,618 as Strong UK GDP Fails to Counter Oil and Global Headwinds

    The FTSE 100 opened 9.70 points lower at 10,618.72 on Friday, despite stronger-than-expected UK GDP data that briefly lifted sentiment. The index struggled to hold gains as Brent crude futures fell 1.44% to USD 106.1 per barrel and US WTI dropped 1.36% to USD 101.1 per barrel, reflecting ongoing concerns over Iran-linked disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

    Sterling was quoted at USD 1.3513 early Friday, slightly lower than USD 1.3532 at the London equities close on Thursday. Against the euro, the pound edged up to EUR 1.1637 from EUR 1.1636 a day earlier.

    Gainers and Losers

    On the upside, Games Workshop Group climbed 1.21% to 17,540p, Standard Life advanced 1.15% to 921.50p, and Hiscox gained 1.14% to 1,871p. Lion Finance Group rose 1.12% to 13,530p, Barclays added 1.11% to 489.70p, and British American Tobacco increased 1.10% to 4,137p.

    On the downside, RELX fell 2.17% to 2,440p, London Stock Exchange Group declined 1.74% to 8,364p, and Experian dropped 1.44% to 2,739p. Antofagasta slipped 0.77% to 3,742p, Rio Tinto lost 0.67% to 7,316p, and Reckitt Benckiser Group edged 0.47% lower to 5,034p.

    UK GDP Surprise Growth in July

    The UK economy surprised markets with growth in July. Official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed GDP expanded 0.4%, well ahead of economists’ forecast of zero growth. The services sector, which accounts for around 80% of GDP output, grew 0.4%. Production increased 0.2% and construction rose 0.1%.

    Liz McKeown, director of economic statistics at the ONS, noted: “Within the services sector, computer programming was the largest contributor, continuing the strong growth seen throughout the year, with evidence that businesses involved with AI and related technologies helped to boost the sector.”

    Oracle’s AI Spending Surges

    Oracle’s spending on AI infrastructure reached USD 28.5 billion (GBP 21 billion) in its latest quarter, underscoring the escalating cost of meeting booming demand for computing capacity. The software group expects capital expenditure to reach USD 90 billion to USD 95 billion this financial year as it invests heavily in data centers and hardware to compete with Amazon, Microsoft, and Google. Overall revenue rose around 30% to USD 19.35 billion, ahead of Wall Street forecasts, while earnings also topped expectations.

    Trainline’s H1 Revenue Beats Forecasts

    Shares in Trainline Plc rose over 3% on Friday after the company reported first-half net ticket sales and revenue ahead of analyst forecasts. Net ticket sales were 0.7% ahead of Visible Alpha consensus, and revenue was 2% ahead. UK net ticket sales were 3% ahead of consensus, while International was 5.5% behind and Solutions 1.2% behind. Group net ticket sales on a constant-currency basis were flat.

    Global Market Overview

    In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 316.56 points (0.6%) at 52,064.10. The S&P 500 fell 0.58% to 7,591.70, and the Nasdaq Composite slid 0.65% to 26,081.72. In Asia on Friday, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 declined 1.93% to 64,011.34, China’s Shanghai Composite fell 1.18%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 0.66%, and South Korea’s Kospi dipped 1.76%. In India, the Nifty 50 and the Sensex fell by 0.63% and 0.56%, respectively.

    Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own research before making any financial decisions.

  • Shankesh Jewellers Shares Rally 18% to Record High: What’s Behind the Surge

    Shankesh Jewellers Shares Rally 18% to Record High: What’s Behind the Surge

    Shankesh Jewellers has grabbed the spotlight on Dalal Street, with its shares surging 18% to a record high after a strong market debut. The newly listed jewelry company has drawn significant investor attention, trading well above its IPO issue price of Rs. 93.

    Shankesh Jewellers Share Price Rally

    The company listed on stock exchanges on August 25, opening at Rs. 103.30 on the NSE — an 11.08% premium over the issue price. On listing day, the stock touched a high of Rs. 110.99 on the BSE.

    IPO Details

    The IPO, which was open from August 18 to August 20, 2026, had a price band of Rs. 88–Rs. 93 per share. The issue comprised a fresh issue of Rs. 274.18 crore and an offer for sale of Rs. 93 crore, bringing the total issue size to Rs. 367.18 crore.

    The overall subscription stood at 2.80 times. The retail portion was subscribed 2.42 times, the non-institutional investor category 5.68 times, and the qualified institutional buyer portion 1.32 times. The company priced the IPO at the upper end of the price band, with a minimum retail investment of Rs. 14,880 for one lot of 160 shares.

    What’s Driving Investor Interest?

    Shankesh Jewellers specializes in handcrafted gold jewelry and offers customization services, manufacturing customized 22-karat and 18-karat gold jewelry. The company has also posted a sharp improvement in financial performance, with revenue rising to Rs. 1,630.93 crore in FY2026 from Rs. 1,403.94 crore in FY2025. Net profit jumped to Rs. 106.68 crore in FY2026 from Rs. 40.31 crore in the previous fiscal.

    With a strong earnings uptick, robust IPO demand, and growing investor interest, Shankesh Jewellers has quickly become one of the most closely watched new listings on the Street.

  • Vodafone Idea Secures $3.5B Loan from SBI-Led Consortium to Boost Network and Competitive Edge

    Vodafone Idea Secures $3.5B Loan from SBI-Led Consortium to Boost Network and Competitive Edge

    Vodafone Idea, India’s third-largest wireless operator, is set to receive a major financial boost. A consortium of banks led by State Bank of India (SBI) has approved approximately $3.5 billion in fresh debt financing. The funds are intended to support network upgrades and help the telecom operator strengthen its position against rivals Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio.

    Loan Terms and Conditions

    Alongside SBI, Union Bank of India and the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) are part of the lending group. The loan has a tenure of nearly ten years and comes with specific conditions. One notable requirement is that Kumar Mangalam Birla must remain as chairman for the entire duration of the loan. The deal also includes repayment guarantees in case of default. Neither Vodafone Idea nor the banks have commented on the matter.

    Financial Strain and Government Support

    The funding arrives after years of financial difficulty for Vodafone Idea, which has struggled to keep pace with competitors who have invested heavily in network expansion. In the quarter ending June, the company posted a loss of approximately Rs. 3,750 crore (USD 394 million), which was smaller than analysts had expected—a possible sign that its turnaround efforts are gaining traction.

    Government intervention has also eased pressure. Authorities converted around Rs. 37,000 crore of the company’s dues into equity, raising the government’s stake to nearly 49 percent. Additionally, some past spectrum payments were capped, helping to relieve cash flow constraints.

    Path Forward

    With this new debt, Vodafone Idea has a clearer path to invest in its network. The key question remains whether this investment will translate into subscriber growth in India’s intensely competitive telecom market. Rivals are not slowing down, and the coming years will determine if this funding leads to a genuine comeback or simply buys more time.

  • NPCI Unveils UPI Tap & Pay and AI-Powered My UPI: What You Need to Know

    NPCI Unveils UPI Tap & Pay and AI-Powered My UPI: What You Need to Know

    The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has rolled out two major upgrades to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) ecosystem: UPI Tap & Pay for contactless transactions and My UPI, an AI-driven customer support platform. Announced at the Global Fintech Fest 2026, these features aim to make digital payments faster, simpler, and more secure.

    UPI Tap & Pay: Simplifying Everyday Transactions

    With UPI Tap & Pay, users can make payments at compatible point-of-sale (PoS) terminals simply by tapping their smartphone. No need to open a specific UPI app — just unlock your phone and tap. The feature leverages Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to connect with the payment terminal.

    Key details:

    • Supports UPI payments and RuPay credit cards on UPI.
    • Transactions up to Rs. 5,000 can be completed without entering a UPI PIN. For amounts above Rs. 5,000, PIN authentication is required.
    • Designed to eliminate multiple steps from the traditional scan-and-pay process, making small, frequent payments quicker.

    NPCI clarified that the Rs. 5,000 threshold applies specifically to the PIN-less Tap & Pay experience and should not be confused with other UPI transaction or wallet limits.

    My UPI: AI-Powered Unified Dashboard

    My UPI is an AI-powered customer support platform built on NPCI’s small language model, FiMI. It serves as a single-window interface for all UPI-related services, including:

    • Access to payment information across multiple apps and banking relationships.
    • Transaction support and security controls for rapid response to suspected fraud.

    The platform simplifies management of UPI services, reducing the need to jump between different banking apps.

    UPI’s Continued Growth

    The new features arrive as UPI processes record-breaking transaction volumes. In August 2026 alone, UPI handled 24.51 billion transactions worth Rs. 29.82 trillion, underscoring the need for faster, more intuitive payment tools.

    With Tap & Pay and My UPI, NPCI is positioning UPI to remain at the forefront of India’s digital payment revolution.

  • Mint Money Expands Fintech App with NPCI Bharat Connect Bill Payments

    Mint Money Expands Fintech App with NPCI Bharat Connect Bill Payments

    Mint Money, the fintech app from HT Media Group, has expanded its personal finance platform with a new bill payments feature powered by NPCI Bharat Connect. The announcement was made at Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai on September 10.

    Bill Payments, Reminders, and Auto Pay

    Through the new integration, users can track bills, receive reminders, make instant payments, and enable Auto Pay directly within the Mint Money app. Eligible transactions may also earn rewards, according to the company. The service is built on Bharat Connect, part of the NPCI-operated Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS).

    Puneet Jain, CEO – Digital at HT Media Group, said the company designed Mint Money to combine financial information with services that support smarter financial decisions. “With Bill Payments, we are taking that mission into everyday money management,” Jain said.

    More Than Bill Payments

    The app continues to offer free credit score checks, personalized credit guidance, personal loan discovery, and credit card recommendations. Loan offers range from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 20 lakh, with repayment tenures between six and 60 months. Depending on the borrower’s profile, annual percentage rates can range from 10.5% to 36%, with interest rates starting at 11% and processing fees from 1.5% to 5% of the loan amount.

    Eligible users may also see loan options of up to Rs. 5 lakh in about five minutes, subject to lender approval. An EMI and personal loan interest calculator helps users estimate costs before applying.

    AI Tools and Credit Features

    Mint Money also includes Credit Safe, which helps users assess whether a loan fits their financial situation, and Credit Score Builder, which provides personalized steps to understand and improve credit profiles. The app’s Money Guru AI coach answers common financial questions, while financial content from Mint remains available in the same platform.

    Mint Money said it plans to use the Hindustan Times Group’s content network, which reaches about one in four Indians, to bring its tools to users beyond major metropolitan areas. The new bill payments feature is available now in the app.

  • SS Retail IPO Listing Date, Price Band, and Lot Size Announced

    SS Retail IPO Listing Date, Price Band, and Lot Size Announced

    SS Retail, a leading mobile and electronics retailer in India, is set to launch its initial public offering (IPO) on September 16, 2026. The company aims to raise approximately Rs. 500 crore through this public issue, which includes both a fresh issue and an offer for sale.

    IPO Details and Key Dates

    The three-day subscription period will run from September 16 to September 18, 2026. The price band has been fixed at Rs. 403 to Rs. 424 per equity share, with a face value of Rs. 10 each. Investors can bid for a minimum lot of 35 shares, and in multiples of 35 thereafter. At the upper price band, one lot will cost Rs. 14,840.

    The anchor book will open on September 15, one day before the public bidding begins. The basis of allotment is expected to be finalized on September 21, with refunds and share credits scheduled for September 22. The company anticipates its shares will start trading on the BSE and NSE on September 23.

    Offer Structure and Allocation

    The IPO comprises a fresh issue of shares worth Rs. 360.75 crore and an offer for sale worth Rs. 140 crore. For the net offer, up to 50% has been reserved for qualified institutional buyers, at least 35% for retail investors, and at least 15% for non-institutional investors. Additionally, shares worth up to Rs. 12 crore have been reserved for eligible employees, who will receive a Rs. 25 discount per share.

    Use of IPO Proceeds

    SS Retail plans to utilize Rs. 241.3 crore from the fresh issue for additional working capital requirements. Another Rs. 12.4 crore has been earmarked for store fit-outs as the company expands its retail network during fiscal 2027 and fiscal 2028. The remaining proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.

    The company intends to open 57 new stores in fiscal 2027 and 58 new stores in fiscal 2028, allocating approximately Rs. 5.81 crore and Rs. 6.6 crore for these expansions, respectively.

    Business Overview and Financial Performance

    SS Retail operates a multi-brand retail network selling mobile phones, accessories, and other electronic products. As of March 2026, it operated 503 stores across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, and Gujarat, with 458 stores in Maharashtra alone. The company identifies itself as the largest mobile phone retail chain in West India and the third-largest in India among its peers.

    For the year ended March 2026, SS Retail reported consolidated revenue of approximately Rs. 2,352.85 crore and a profit after tax of Rs. 59.28 crore. In fiscal 2025, standalone revenue stood at Rs. 1,597.9 crore, with a profit of Rs. 39.86 crore.

    The IPO is being managed by Anand Rathi Advisors and Emkay Global Financial Services as the book-running lead managers.

  • MCX Gold Prices Slide 0.12% to ₹1,53,950 as Oil Rises and US Inflation Data Looms

    MCX Gold Prices Slide 0.12% to ₹1,53,950 as Oil Rises and US Inflation Data Looms

    Gold futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) edged lower on Wednesday, September 10, as market participants adopted a cautious stance ahead of key US inflation data and the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy decision. The October gold contract fell 0.12% to ₹1,53,950 per 10 grams, while September silver futures declined 0.34% to ₹2,43,375.

    In the energy markets, Brent crude futures slipped 0.16% to $101 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) edged up 0.06% to $96.11 per barrel. Rising oil prices often fuel inflation concerns, adding to the uncertainty surrounding gold’s short-term direction.

    According to the CME FedWatch Tool, markets are currently pricing in a 39.8% probability that the Fed will hold rates steady in September and a 60.2% chance of a rate hike. Higher interest rates typically weigh on gold, a non-yielding asset.

    Domestic Gold Prices

    Despite the dip in futures, spot gold prices in India moved higher. 24K gold rose by ₹120 to ₹1,55,510 per 10 grams, and 22K gold advanced by ₹110 to ₹1,42,550. Regionally, Mumbai and Kolkata quoted 24K gold at ₹1,55,510, Delhi at ₹1,55,660, and Chennai at ₹1,55,510.

    US Gold Prices

    In international markets, spot gold traded 0.3% higher at $4,412.84 per ounce, supported by a softer dollar. However, US gold futures for December delivery edged 0.1% lower to $4,457.10. Spot silver rose 0.2% to $67.42 per ounce, platinum fell 0.6% to $1,885.02, and palladium gained 0.2% to $1,355.50.

    “For now, the geopolitical developments in the Persian Gulf are of secondary importance to gold. Gold instead is teeing off on a weaker dollar, which notably is not moving up despite the fact that US rates are going higher,” said Edward Meir, analyst at Marex.

    Daniel Hynes, senior commodities strategist at ANZ, noted that gold is supported “as US fiscal pressures continue to undermine confidence in the long-term value of government debt and the currency used to finance it.”

    Key Levels to Watch

    On MCX, gold has support at ₹1,52,500 and ₹1,51,650, while resistance is seen at ₹1,54,400 and ₹1,55,500. For silver, support lies at ₹2,41,400 and ₹2,39,100, with resistance at ₹2,45,800 and ₹2,48,000.