The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted in-principle approval to PayPal Payments and Worldline ePayments India to operate as cross-border payment aggregators, marking a pivotal advancement in the nation’s digital payments ecosystem. This regulatory nod enables both PayPal and Worldline to facilitate online transactions for the import and export of goods and services, directly supporting Indian exporters, importers, and businesses engaged in global commerce.
The move is particularly significant as it aligns with the RBI’s updated framework, which requires payment aggregators offering cross-border services to secure separate approvals, replacing the previous Online Payment Gateway Service Provider (OPGSP) licensing regime that had been in place for nearly a decade.
With this authorisation, PayPal and Worldline can now act as digital intermediaries for international payments, streamlining cross-border payment flows and ensuring strict compliance with RBI’s regulatory guidelines. This is expected to simplify complex foreign exchange processes, enhance due diligence, and ensure timely settlements for global transactions. The RBI’s move is widely seen as a major boost for India’s cross-border payment sector, which is witnessing rapid growth due to the country’s large remittance inflows and its emergence as a hub for global digital services.
Worldline ePayments India, which already holds licences for domestic payment aggregation and as a Bharat Bill Payment Operating Unit, received the RBI’s approval letter on May 21, 2025. The company’s CEO, Ramesh Narasimhan, described the approval as a significant milestone, reaffirming Worldline’s long-term commitment to India’s digital payment ecosystem and its focus on providing secure, seamless, and regulated solutions for international commerce.
For PayPal, the approval not only enhances its ability to serve large enterprises, small businesses, and freelancers in India but also allows it to offer localised product innovations and improved customer experiences by leveraging its global payment network. This is expected to make global transactions more efficient and accessible, reinforcing India’s position in the rapidly evolving cross-border digital payments market.
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The RBI’s authorisation of PayPal and Worldline as cross-border payment aggregators underscores the regulator’s commitment to fostering innovation while maintaining robust regulatory oversight. It is anticipated to boost confidence among Indian businesses navigating international trade, enhance the ease of doing business, and support the ongoing growth of India’s digital payments landscape.
