Bengaluru | January 2026: In a move to recognize and reward employee contribution, Cashfree Payments has launched an Employee Stock Option (ESOP) buyback program, benefitting more than 400 current and former employees, according to a report by The Hindu Business Line.
The initiative, announced as the company celebrates a decade of operations, includes 175 former employees, underscoring Cashfree’s commitment to sharing long-term value creation with both past and present contributors.
Recognizing Growth and Ownership
Commenting on the announcement, Akash Sinha, Co-founder and CEO of Cashfree Payments, said:
“We see ESOPs not merely as a retention tool or a future promise, but as a tangible way to participate in wealth creation and ownership. Whether someone is building with us today or helped lay the foundation in our early years, this buyback is about recognizing real contribution and sharing the outcomes of growth.”
While the size of the ESOP buyback was not disclosed, industry experts note that such initiatives have become an important signal of maturity and profitability among India’s fintech startups.
Scaling New Heights: Expansion and Growth Strategy
The buyback announcement coincides with Cashfree Payments’ move into a new 80,000-square-foot headquarters at Ecoworld, Bengaluru, marking a new chapter of expansion for the company.
In 2025, the payments firm raised $53 million (approximately ₹440 crore) in a funding round led by South Korean gaming major KRAFTON, with additional participation from Apis Growth Fund II — one of its existing investors.
The company has been strategically scaling its cross-border payments platform, recording an impressive 250% year-on-year growth in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV). Currently, the cross-border segment contributes nearly 10% of Cashfree’s total revenue, with a target to scale this share to 25% by 2030.
Powering India’s Digital Payments Ecosystem
Cashfree Payments has rapidly evolved into one of India’s leading digital payment and API banking companies. The platform powers over $80 billion in annual payment volumes and serves more than one million businesses across the country.
Its growing clientele includes leading brands such as Zepto, RedBus, Swiggy, Nykaa, and BigBasket, reflecting its strong position in the B2B payments and digital commerce ecosystem.
The company’s end-to-end fintech infrastructure supports payments, payouts, cross-border remittances, and recurring billing — enabling businesses to integrate and manage transactions seamlessly.
A Decade of Innovation in Fintech
Founded in 2015 by Akash Sinha and Reeju Datta, Cashfree Payments has played a pioneering role in India’s fintech ecosystem. The company’s innovations in API-based payments, banking automation, and cross-border transactions have positioned it among the top players driving India’s digital economy.
Over the years, Cashfree has introduced a suite of solutions, including Payouts, Payment Links, Subscription Billing, and Global Collections, aimed at simplifying financial workflows for startups, enterprises, and e-commerce platforms.
The Bigger Picture: ESOPs as a Tool for Wealth Creation
The ESOP buyback initiative reflects a broader trend in India’s startup ecosystem, where maturing tech companies are increasingly using stock-based rewards to foster long-term value sharing.
According to experts, buybacks like Cashfree’s highlight financial stability and investor confidence, particularly as the company enters its second decade of operations. The move also reinforces Cashfree’s reputation as an employee-first organization, prioritizing wealth creation beyond traditional compensation structures.
Looking Ahead
As Cashfree Payments strengthens its presence in the cross-border fintech space, the company aims to further expand its reach in global payment corridors while deepening its product portfolio in API-led banking and compliance-driven payment systems.
With sustained growth, expanding enterprise adoption, and a robust innovation roadmap, Cashfree is poised to play a key role in shaping India’s $1 trillion digital payments economy by 2030.
About Cashfree Payments
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Founded: 2015
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Headquarters: Bengaluru, India
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Founders: Akash Sinha and Reeju Datta
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Key Products: Payouts, Payment Gateway, Global Collections, AutoCollect, Subscription Billing
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Funding Raised: $53 million (led by KRAFTON and Apis Growth Fund II)
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Annual Payment Volume: $80 billion+
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Clients: Swiggy, Nykaa, BigBasket, Zepto, RedBus
Ruchi Kumar is the associate editor at Entrepreneur News Network and TVW News India, where she leads editorial strategy, brand storytelling, and startup ecosystem coverage. With a strong focus on innovation, business, and marketing insights, he curates impactful narratives that spotlight India’s evolving entrepreneurial landscape.