CENTRUM, a company based in Hamburg, Germany, has acquired Indian fintech firm BharatPe for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition marks a significant move by CENTRUM into the rapidly expanding Indian digital payments and financial services sector. BharatPe, established in 2018, has been a key player in democratizing financial access for Indian merchants through its innovative payment and lending solutions.
BharatPe was founded with a vision for financial inclusion, launching India’s first UPI interoperable QR code and zero MDR payment acceptance service in 2018. Following the pandemic in 2020, the company further expanded its offerings with BharatSwipe, India’s only zero MDR card acceptance terminals. Currently, BharatPe serves over 1 million merchants across more than 400 cities, leading in UPI offline transactions with an annualized Transaction Processed Value of US$26 billion. The company has also facilitated the disbursement of over ₹10,000 crores in loans to merchants since its inception.
The acquisition is strategically significant for CENTRUM, providing immediate access to BharatPe's robust technology platform, extensive merchant network, and deep understanding of the Indian market. This move allows CENTRUM to establish a strong presence in one of the world's fastest-growing digital economies. Expected synergies include leveraging CENTRUM's resources with BharatPe's proven operational model and market penetration to accelerate growth and innovation in merchant-focused financial services.
Looking ahead, the combined entity is poised to further enhance financial inclusion for Indian merchants, expand its suite of payment and lending products, and solidify its position within the competitive Indian fintech landscape. The integration aims to build upon BharatPe's foundational success and market leadership under CENTRUM's ownership.