Digital payments and financial technology compliance

BANKING/NBFC ADVISORY SERVICES

Payment & Digital Finance Regulatory Advisory

Navigating Digital Payment Regulations, Payment System Authorisation, Financial Infrastructure & Compliance in India.

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OUR SERVICES FOR PAYMENT & DIGITAL FINANCE

Our Payment & Digital Finance Advisory Services

Practical support across payment & digital finance planning, implementation and ongoing compliance.

Payment Business Advisory & Classification

Assess business models, funds flows, participants and regulatory categories.

Payment System Authorisation & RBI Approvals

Review authorisation requirements and coordinate application workstreams.

Payment Aggregator Regulatory Advisory

Support eligibility, merchant onboarding, settlement and operational controls.

Payment Gateway & Technology Service Arrangements

Review contracts, responsibilities, security and service commitments.

Digital Payments Compliance & Governance

Establish policies, reporting, grievance and oversight processes.

KYC, AML, Fraud & Customer Protection

Address customer verification, fraud response and consumer safeguards.

Financial Innovation & Regulatory Sandbox

Assess applicable innovation programmes and application requirements.

Ongoing Payment Compliance & Regulatory Support

Monitor directions, compliance actions, filings and regulator engagement.

KEY BENEFITS

Why Payment Regulatory Advisory is Necessary

Digital payment models vary across payment aggregators, gateways, prepaid instruments, UPI participants, bill-payment systems and technology providers. Regulatory requirements depend on the activity, custody and movement of funds, customer interface and role of regulated partners.

Regulatory expertise

Understand requirements for payment systems and digital finance activities.

Payment ecosystem advisory

Coordinate obligations across providers, participants and partners.

Compliance excellence

Establish authorisation, reporting and operational controls.

Practical solutions

Translate regulatory expectations into business processes.

Technology-enabled approach

Address technology, security and service provider dependencies.

Trusted advisory partner

Coordinate legal, regulatory, commercial and operational issues.

WHO NEEDS THESE SERVICES?

Who We Assist

Payment aggregators and gateways
Businesses facilitating merchant and customer payments.
Banks and financial institutions
Regulated entities supporting payment systems and digital products.
Digital payment startups
Technology companies developing payment products and infrastructure.
E-commerce and merchant platforms
Businesses integrating payments into online and offline customer journeys.
Investors and acquirers
Stakeholders reviewing payment businesses and regulatory exposure.
Digital finance providers
Companies offering financial products through digital channels.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Payment Aggregator vs Payment Gateway vs Digital Payment System

The appropriate model depends on the business, activity, applicable law and commercial objectives.

Payment Aggregator vs Payment Gateway vs Digital Payment System

Parameter	Payment Aggregator	Payment Gateway	Digital Payment System
Core role	Facilitates payments between customers and merchants	Provides technology routing for transactions	Enables a defined payment method or network
Funds handling	May receive, pool or settle funds under applicable rules	Typically provides technology connectivity	Depends on system and participant roles
Regulatory focus	Authorisation and operational requirements	Technology, security and partner responsibilities	System participation and applicable directions
Key controls	Merchant due diligence and settlement	Security and service continuity	Participation, settlement and dispute processes
Customer focus	Merchant and transaction protection	Reliable transaction processing	System-wide trust and safeguards

Indian Laws vs International Frameworks

Parameter	India (Key Laws)	International (Selected)
Payment systems	Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007	Local payment services laws
RBI regulation	RBI directions and authorisation conditions	Relevant payment regulators
Digital payments	Applicable payment system directions	Local digital payment rules
Customer protection	Applicable RBI and consumer requirements	Jurisdiction-specific consumer rules
Data and security	IT Act, CERT-In and privacy requirements, as applicable	Cybersecurity and data protection laws

This comparison is illustrative. Requirements should be confirmed against the facts and laws applicable to the specific matter.

PAYMENT & DIGITAL FINANCE ADVISORY PROCESS

From Regulatory Assessment to Ongoing Compliance

A coordinated process from initial assessment and documentation through implementation and ongoing monitoring.

01
Initial Assessment
Understand payment product, users, funds flow and business objectives.
02
Regulatory Mapping
Identify authorisation, participation, reporting and customer obligations.
03
Risk Review
Assess operational, settlement, fraud, outsourcing and technology risks.
04
Documentation & Strategy
Prepare applications, policies, contracts and compliance plans.
05
Implementation Support
Coordinate readiness, partner arrangements and operational controls.
06
Ongoing Advisory
Monitor directions, reporting, audits and changes to payment models.

DOCUMENTS & REQUIREMENTS

Documents Required (Illustrative)

The final checklist depends on the legal structure, transaction, activity and applicable jurisdiction.

Entity and ownership information
Payment product flow and system diagrams
Funds flow and settlement arrangements
Merchant, bank and network agreements
KYC/AML and grievance policies
Information security and incident policies
Financial and operational projections
Regulatory applications and correspondence

PROS AND CONS

Pros and Cons of Payment & Digital Finance

Key Advantages

Regulatory expertise
Payment ecosystem advisory
Compliance excellence
Practical solutions
Technology-enabled approach
Trusted advisory partner

Key Challenges

Payment Business Advisory & Classification
Payment System Authorisation & RBI Approvals
Payment Aggregator Regulatory Advisory
Payment Gateway & Technology Service Arrangements
Digital Payments Compliance & Governance
KYC, AML, Fraud & Customer Protection
Financial Innovation & Regulatory Sandbox
Ongoing Payment Compliance & Regulatory Support

GOVERNMENT & STATUTORY FEES (EXAMPLES)

Fees depend on the matter and scope

Professional fees depend on complexity, jurisdictions, stakeholders and agreed scope. Government fees, taxes, stamp duty and third-party charges are separate and confirmed against current requirements.

INITIAL ASSESSMENT

Payment & Digital Finance Assessment

By scope

Initial consultation and scope assessment
Review of relevant records
Key legal and regulatory considerations
Recommended next-step plan

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IMPLEMENTATION & ONGOING SUPPORT

Payment & Digital Finance Advisory

Tailored

Detailed advisory and documentation
Implementation and coordination support
Regulatory and stakeholder assistance
Ongoing monitoring as agreed

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FOR COMPLEX REQUIREMENTS

Customised Quote

For complex ownership, activity-specific permissions, foreign participation or tailored requirements.

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Government charges, applicable taxes and third-party costs are confirmed separately as part of the proposed scope.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A few useful answers

Answers to common questions about payment & digital finance regulatory advisory and related legal or regulatory requirements.

Browse all FAQs

Does a payment aggregator need RBI authorisation?

Is a payment gateway treated the same as an aggregator?

Can a technology startup facilitate digital payments?

What compliance applies to payment businesses?

How can Astronis Global assist?

TESTIMONIALS

Clear advice. Practical direction.

Perspectives shared with permission by clients of our advisory teams.

Astronis Global brought clarity and commercial focus to a complex restructuring exercise. Their advice was practical, timely and easy for our leadership team to act on.

Ananya MehtaChief Executive Officer, Northstar Manufacturing Pvt. Ltd.★★★★★

The team understood our regulatory requirements quickly and helped us move forward with confidence. We valued their responsiveness and disciplined follow-through.

Rohan KapoorFounder & Managing Director, Vertex Digital Solutions★★★★

Astronis Global provided dependable support across multiple registrations and approvals. Their communication was clear, structured and consistently professional.

Priya NairGeneral Counsel, Meridian Healthcare Group★★★★★

INSIGHTS & EVENTS

Latest Articles, Updates and Events

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Payment & Digital Finance