What fintech wants from Budget 2024

Key Takeaways

• The current fragmented regulatory landscape is stifling innovation and investor confidence. Budget 2024 should prioritize a unified framework covering data privacy, lending, and digital payments.
• Rural India remains largely excluded from the financial world. Tax incentives for rural fintechs, investments in last-mile infrastructure, and digital literacy programs are crucial to bridge this gap.
• Cybercrime and data breaches threaten the fintech sector. Budget 2024 should invest in cybersecurity infrastructure, personnel training, and consumer awareness campaigns.

India's fintech sector, once a babbling brook but today a roaring river, has grown to become a $31 billion behemoth. Projected to soar to $150 billion by 2025, its ascent is undeniable. This exponential growth holds immense potential for driving economic inclusion and financial modernization.

Yet, beneath the flow of progress, challenges linger, awaiting the deft touch of policy intervention. As the interim budget for 2024 approaches on February 1st, the sector is echoing expectations for change that could propel its trajectory.

The Regulatory Maze

A fragmented regulatory landscape, characterized by overlapping jurisdictions and ambiguous frameworks, stifles investor confidence and hampers innovation as per PwC India. Budget 2024 must prioritize the creation of a unified regulatory framework encompassing data privacy, lending, and digital payments.

This streamlined approach will provide clarity and predictability, fostering responsible innovation while safeguarding consumer interests. Additionally, KPMG, in its 2023 press release emphasizes that such harmonization would attract global investors, bolstering confidence and accelerating growth.

Financial Inclusion

Despite the digital revolution, 25% of Indians remain financially excluded, a significant obstacle to national economic development (World Bank, 2023). However, bridging this chasm requires targeted fiscal interventions.

Tax incentives for rural fintechs can amplify their reach and provide affordable financial services to underserved communities. Furthermore, investments in last-mile digital infrastructure and digital literacy programs are crucial to enabling broader financial participation. Streamlining KYC processes through Aadhaar authentication can further simplify access and facilitate financial inclusion.

• Digital Infrastructure Expansion The budget should consider allocating funds to expand broadband penetration, particularly in rural areas, is crucial. Without ubiquitous internet access, fintech solutions remain a distant mirage for countless Indians.

• Financial Literacy Initiatives Equipping individuals with the necessary skills to navigate the digital financial landscape is paramount. The budget should support public-private partnerships to develop financial literacy programs tailored to diverse communities.

• Subsidized Access to Smartphones and Data Reducing the cost of entry into the digital world is essential. The budget can explore subsidizing affordable smartphones and data plans, particularly for low-income groups and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Safety First

The rising tide of phishing attacks and data breaches poses a significant threat to the fintech ecosystem, necessitating robust cybersecurity measures (RBI Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2022-23).

Budget 2024 must prioritize investments in advanced cybercrime prevention infrastructure, including firewalls and intrusion detection systems. Skilled personnel training and consumer awareness campaigns are equally vital to strengthening digital defenses and building trust within the ecosystem.

Furthermore, recognizing that data is the lifeblood of the digital economy, the budget should prioritize responsible data governance frameworks. This entails securing data sharing and analysis while safeguarding individual privacy through robust data protection laws, clear data sharing standards, and ethical frameworks for data handling. Investing in cloud infrastructure provides fintechs with the scalability, security, and cost-effectiveness they need to unlock the power of data.

By empowering fintechs and fostering a responsible data ecosystem, the budget can fuel personalized financial services, improved risk management, and data-driven solutions tailored to diverse needs, paving the way for a thriving and inclusive financial future for India.

Conclusion

While financial provisions are crucial, the government's commitment to building a supportive and facilitative environment plays an equally vital role. Simplifying the licensing process for fintech startups, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and fostering collaboration between industry and government can significantly lower entry barriers and encourage innovation.

India's fintech revolution is not just about numbers; it's about transforming lives. By prioritizing the initiatives outlined above, the upcoming budget can spark a wave of innovation, promote financial inclusion, and build a robust digital infrastructure that empowers entrepreneurs, fuels economic growth, and propels India into a truly inclusive and digitally driven financial future.