Brands
Paytm to provide RBL & its partners digital payment solutions
MUMBAI: Indian fintech giant Paytm has struck a partnership with RBL Bank to provide its signature Soundbox devices and card machines to the bank’s merchant partners, the companies announced today.
The collaboration aims to boost digital payment adoption across RBL Bank’s merchant network by leveraging Paytm’s technology infrastructure. Merchants will gain access to the Paytm for Business dashboard, enabling real-time transaction monitoring and instant settlement services.
Paytm’s payment solutions support multiple transaction methods, including UPI, RuPay credit card on UPI, UPI Lite, and traditional debit and credit cards. The systems also offer EMI options from leading banks, providing flexibility for both merchants and customers.
The company’s Soundbox devices, which revolutionised in-store digital payments with instant audio confirmations, have been expanded to include NFC Card Soundbox technology. This allows customers to make ‘Tap and Pay’ transactions at small shops and supports payments from international tourists using global cards.
“Our goal is to simplify payments for merchants by providing cutting-edge solutions that enhance efficiency and trust,” said Paytm chief business officer for offline payments Ripunjai Gaur.
RBL Bank head of branch banking and retail liabilities Narendra Agrawal added: “This partnership aligns with our vision of enabling seamless, secure, and efficient transactions. We are committed to supporting businesses in their digital transformation journey.”
Paytm has been expanding its service offerings with user-centric innovations, including UPI Lite for small-value transactions and international UPI payments in countries where UPI is accepted, such as the UAE, Singapore, France, and several neighbouring nations.
Brands
Buffett bets on The New York Times, cuts Amazon stake
Berkshire invests $352 million in NYT, trims tech, and backs insurance, energy and consumer stocks.
OMAHA: Warren Buffett is famously a creature of habit, but his latest portfolio shake-up suggests even the world’s most patient investor knows when to change the channel. In a move that has sent the media world into a frenzy, Berkshire Hathaway has officially checked into The New York Times while largely checking out of Amazon.
Buffett’s firm snapped up roughly 5.1 million shares in The New York Times Company, a stake valued at a cool $352 million. The Buffett effect was immediate: shares in the publishing giant jumped more than 10 per cent as investors scrambled to follow the leader.
While Buffett offloaded his traditional local newspapers back in 2020, this isn’t a nostalgic trip to the printing press. The New York Times is now a digital powerhouse, fueled by a buffet of subscriptions covering everything from breaking news to Wordle and recipes. It seems the sage of Omaha still has an appetite for businesses with pricing power and a loyal following.
Berkshire slashed its holdings in Amazon by nearly 75 per cent during the final quarter of the year. Once a rare foray into the world of big tech for Buffett, the firm now holds a relatively modest 2.3 million shares. The pruning did not stop there, as other household names also saw a haircut. Apple was reduced to a 1.5 per cent position, while Bank of America was trimmed to 7.1 per cent, signalling a broader pullback from some of its large financial and technology bets.
So, where is the money going? It appears Buffett is heading back to basics, favoring sectors that can weather a storm. Berkshire boosted its positions in Chubb, doubling down on the steady world of insurance; Chevron, fueling up on energy; and Domino’s Pizza, a classic consumer bet that delivers even when the economy doesn’t.
By pivoting toward resilient industries and subscription-heavy media, Berkshire is returning to its roots: finding companies that people simply cannot live without, whether they are hungry for a slice of pepperoni or the morning headlines.
