Digital payments fintech firm Cashfree Payments has announced a zero payment gateway fee initiative for new merchants joining its platform, as competition intensifies in India’s rapidly growing digital payments sector. The company aims to attract more small and medium businesses (SMBs) and expand its merchant base to two million by the end of financial year 2026-27.
The fee waiver programme has been introduced ahead of the festive season and will cover the first ₹20 lakh in gross merchandise value (GMV) generated by eligible new merchants until the end of FY27. Through this initiative, Cashfree Payments aims to help early-stage businesses adopt digital payment solutions with lower operational costs.
Based in Bengaluru, Cashfree currently serves around one million SMB merchants across India. The company said the new initiative is part of its broader strategy to strengthen its presence among growing businesses and support wider digital payment adoption.
India’s fintech sector has witnessed rapid expansion in recent years, with payment service providers competing to attract merchants through innovative offerings, improved technology solutions and cost-effective services.
Cashfree Payments believes that reducing entry barriers for small businesses will encourage more merchants to move towards digital transactions and strengthen their online operations. The company’s latest move highlights the growing competition among fintech firms to capture a larger share of India’s expanding digital commerce ecosystem.
