Mumbai-based payment startup EximPe has got in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India for a Payment Aggregator – Cross-Border (PA-CB) licence for both export and import transactions. This is a huge milestone for EximPe to expand its operations across Asia’s high-growth trade corridors and move from being a technology enabler to a fully regulated cross-border payment infrastructure provider.
From Enabler to Infrastructure Player
Founded in 2021 by serial entrepreneur Arjun Zacharia (who earlier launched online furniture marketplace Wedtree), EximPe is one of the first sets of startups to get the RBI’s PA-CB licence without having any pre-existing payment authorisation. PA-CB is a new regulatory framework that allows businesses to facilitate compliant international pay-ins and pay-outs for sectors like digital services, e-commerce and B2B goods trade.
Zacharia called it a big moment for the company:
“Getting the PA-CB licence is a big milestone. It confirms our commitment to building robust cross-border payment infrastructure and simplifies the complex regulatory and financial requirements for businesses operating in the fastest-growing corridor—India and Asia.”
Growth Ambitions: 10X by FY26
With the licence in place, EximPe has big growth plans. The company aims to scale 10 times by FY2026 and leverage the license to deepen its presence in India, Southeast Asia and other emerging Asian markets.
So far, EximPe has processed over USD 450 million (~INR 3,870 crore) in transactions and has a base of more than 5,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), manufacturers, exporters and service providers. The platform offers:
- Real-time foreign exchange rate booking
- Compliance automation tools
- Integrated trade documentation systems
These features aim to reduce transaction friction, increase payment efficiency and simplify regulatory compliance for Indian businesses engaged in cross-border trade.
Regulatory Landscape
EximPe joins the select group of RBI-approved PA-CB licence holders. Skydo, BriskPe, PayPal, Wise have got in-principle approval, and only six have got full licence—Adyen India, Amazon Pay India, Cashfree Payments, BillDesk, Pay10, Worldline ePayments India.
RBI’s move to formalise and regulate cross-border payment aggregators is in line with India’s overall digital trade ambitions and increasing scrutiny on foreign exchange flows, AML compliance and secure payment infrastructure.
Funding and Strategy
EximPe has raised USD 3.5 million (~INR 30 crore) in equity so far, with Leo Capital leading the Series A round. The capital has been used to build compliance first technology, operational scale and talent acquisition. Going forward, the company will:
- Partner with banks, trade bodies and logistics platforms
- Invest heavily in compliance and security
- Expand product offerings to different business segments and corridors
Outlook
EximPe’s regulatory win comes at a time when India’s digital exports and cross-border e-commerce are undergoing a structural shift. With geo-political winds pushing for regional trade agreements and India-ASEAN corridor gaining momentum, the need for seamless, transparent and compliant payment infrastructure has never been higher.
As EximPe got PA-CB licence, the company is not only legitimising its existence in the eyes of regulators and customers but is also well placed to shape the future of India’s cross-border trade, especially for underbanked and underserved SMEs.
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