Worldline White Paper unpacks the future of contactless payments
Worldline White Paper unpacks the future of contactless payments: SoftPOS to surpass 34 Million deployments
Mumbai, 25 June 2025 – Worldline [Euronext: WLN], a global leader in payment services, today announced the release of its latest white paper titled “SoftPOS: Transforming Contactless Payments Across Industries”. This comprehensive study explores how Software Point-of-Sale (SoftPOS) is revolutionizing payment acceptance for businesses across sectors—from retail and restaurants to transit, healthcare and insurance across India.
As India witnesses exponential growth in digital payments—with UPI transaction values crossing ₹24.77 trillion in March 2025 alone—the paper underscores why SoftPOS adoption is no longer optional, but an imperative for businesses looking to stay relevant and competitive.
Key findings
India’s mobile payment market is projected to grow from $792.4 billion in 2024 to $4.99 trillion by 2033, at a CAGR of 21.56%.
By 2027, SoftPOS is expected to surpass 34.5 million merchant deployments globally.
Over 50% of all transactions in the Asia-Pacific region are expected to be tap-based by 2025.
Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will drive over 60% of SoftPOS adoption, leveraging its affordability and ease of deployment.
Sectoral trends and applications
Retail and e-Commerce: Enables “endless aisle” experiences and mobile checkout for both in-store and delivery-based transactions.
Restaurants and Food&Beverage: Accelerates tap-to-pay acceptance for small and micro-merchants, especially in Tier II and III cities.
Transit and Mobility: Powers mobile ticketing, onboard fare collection and seamless reconciliation in buses, metros, and ride-sharing.
Healthcare: Simplifies in-clinic and pharmacy payments, supported by digital health initiatives like ABDM and DHIS1.
Insurance and Financial Services: Empowers agents to collect premiums and issue receipts in real-time—even in semi-urban and rural areas.
Mr. Ramesh Narasimhan, Chief Executive Officer – Worldline India, said: “SoftPOS represents a game-changing leap in India’s payments landscape. With the proliferation of smartphones and growing consumer preference for contactless experiences, this technology empowers businesses—especially MSMEs—to accept payments securely, affordably, and flexibly without the need for dedicated hardware. At Worldline, we are committed to driving this innovation, enabling financial inclusion, and shaping the future of digital commerce.”
The white paper further outlines the critical need for modernizing payment infrastructure, key differences between SoftPOS and traditional POS systems, security, compliance, and the role of MPoC standards and five-year projections and India’s leadership in SoftPOS adoption.
DHIS: Digital Health Incentive Scheme and ABDM: Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
Small Towns, Big Dreams: The Lenders Making It Happen
Beyond the metros lies a dynamic, underserved economy brimming with entrepreneurial spirit. While the spotlight often stays on urban startups and metro markets, it’s in India’s smaller towns where real transformation is quietly unfolding. A new wave of loan companies is stepping in to support local businesses, first-time borrowers, and everyday dreamers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities; they are finding new hope through inclusive lending. Meet four loan companies making real impact on the ground:
1. Namdev Finvest
Rooted in Rajasthan and expanding across North and Central India, Namdev Finvest is redefining how credit reaches underserved MSMEs and EV entrepreneurs. With a strong focus on financial inclusion, the NBFC is enabling last-mile borrowers — especially women and first-generation business owners — to access timely credit with ease. Their tech-enabled yet human-led approach is helping transform informal ambitions into formal success stories.
2. Aye Finance
Specializing in micro-enterprise lending, Aye Finance has created financial pathways for businesses often rejected by traditional banks. Their innovative cluster-based credit assessment models are tailor-made for small manufacturers and service providers, driving employment and income in emerging towns.
3. Svatantra Microfin
With a women-first model, Svatantra focuses on empowering rural and semi-urban women through small-ticket loans and financial education. Their work not only enhances livelihood but also promotes financial literacy and community growth across Bharat’s heartland.
4. Kinara Capital
Kinara Capital offers collateral-free business loans to small entrepreneurs in Tier 2–3 cities. By digitizing the loan journey and ensuring quick disbursement, Kinara is supporting everything from tailoring units to mobile repair shops, bringing formal credit to India’s informal backbone.
These businesses are doing more than just lending money; they are fostering aspirations, boosting self-esteem, and improving lives in underserved areas. The growth of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities makes it abundantly evident that access to cash, opportunity, and belief is essential for true advancement. And one borrower at a time, these finance heroes are enabling that.