By Puja Sharma
Today
- AI
- AI Compliance
- AI regulations
Attending the Global FinTech Fest (GFF) 2025 at Mumbai’s Jio World Centre was a vivid reminder that India is no longer just a FinTech adopter; it is a global FinTech influencer. Over three days, the event brought together over 100,000 participants from 75+ countries, including regulators, innovators, investors, and policymakers, showcasing India’s ambition to shape the future of finance at scale.
The first two days set the tone with deep-dive discussions on the intersection of AI, regulation, and digital finance. Fireside chats and panels explored how India is leveraging technology to reimagine financial services, and what global FinTech players can learn from its approach. K V Kamath, Independent Director and Non-Executive Chairman of Jio Financial Services, highlighted India’s regulatory edge, noting, “We are ahead of the curve in comparison to most regulators and instrumental in building the country’s digital and financial momentum.” He also praised the RBI’s proactive stance on AI, referring to its free AI framework for responsible and ethical adoption as a model for other nations.
Kamath further provided insight on India’s approach to foreign capital, emphasising that it is a supporting pillar rather than the foundation of growth. The country’s growth engine is driven primarily by internal mechanisms, capital markets, FDI, and long-term foreign currency funding, ensuring resilience even in turbulent times. His observation underscores India’s unique positioning: combining strong domestic foundations with selective, strategic global engagement.
Technology adoption was another recurring theme. Kamath noted India’s “late mover advantage” in AI deployment, allowing the country to avoid the pitfalls faced by early entrants while implementing solutions at lower cost. This advantage, coupled with India’s scale, provides a unique opportunity to test, iterate, and deploy FinTech solutions that can serve both domestic and international markets efficiently.
But it was the final day that underscored India’s FinTech credentials on the global stage. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a keynote that showcased India Stack, UPI, Aadhaar, DigiLocker, ONDC, and OCEN, as a blueprint for digital public infrastructure that empowers citizens, businesses, and even global collaborators. The sheer scale was striking. UPI alone processes over 20 billion transactions a month, accounting for nearly half of the world’s real-time digital payments. This level of adoption illustrates not only the robustness of India’s systems but also the trust and confidence placed by millions of users.
The PM also highlighted the UK-India FinTech partnership, signalling India’s readiness to engage with global markets while maintaining local innovation. Open-source platforms like MOSIP are being adopted by 25+ countries, transforming India from a domestic success story into a provider of globally relevant digital infrastructure.
Another insight from the panels and sessions was the deliberate alignment of regulation, technology, and market access. India’s regulators are actively shaping frameworks that allow FinTech experimentation while maintaining financial stability and consumer protection. From AI ethics frameworks to digital currency pilots, this balancing act positions India as a model for responsible innovation that global FinTech players can study.
Attending GFF 2025, it became clear that India’s FinTech story is defined not just by technology but by scale, inclusion, and governance. From AI-driven wealth management panels to discussions on regulatory frameworks, the narrative was consistent: India is building a FinTech ecosystem that is ethical, scalable, and globally relevant.
The event was more than a showcase; it was a statement. India is no longer merely following global FinTech trends; it is setting them. With ambitious GDP targets, a tech-savvy population, and regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with stability, India is positioning itself as a global model for inclusive, intelligent, and resilient financial services.
The message was clear: the future of FinTech is being written in India, and the world is watching.
