Context:
Fintech unicorn Razorpay has completed the relocation of its parent company from the United States to India, positioning itself for a domestic Initial Public Offering (IPO) planned by the end of calendar year 2026. The move marks a key milestone in India’s growing trend of fintech companies shifting their base back to India.
Key Highlights
- Parent Entity Shift to India:
- Razorpay has officially reversed flipped its parent entity to India from the US.
- The move supports regulatory alignment and easier access to Indian capital markets.
- Tax Liability on Domicile Shift:
- Tax liability estimated at $150 million (₹1,275 crore).
- Will be paid from internal cash reserves.
- Earlier speculation pegged the tax burden at $200 million.
- IPO Timeline:
- Razorpay targets an IPO before December 2026 (end of CY2026).
- Reverse Flip Trend in Fintech Sector:
- PhonePe: Shifted from Singapore to India in 2022
- Groww: Relocated from Delaware to Bengaluru in FY24
- Zepto: Recently completed a reverse flip from Singapore to India
Significance
- Reinforces India as a preferred jurisdiction for high-growth fintech startups planning to list locally.
- Enhances regulatory transparency, governance, and investor confidence.
- Aligns Razorpay with Indian IPO and capital market compliance frameworks ahead of public listing.