New Delhi: UPI, a real-time payment system, has been crowned as the global leader in online payments globally, surpassing the payment gateway giant Visa, as per the latest report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The report titled “Growing Retail Digital Payments: The Value of Interoperability” states that the UPI has powered around 85 percent of all the digital payments made in India while simultaneously powering around 60 percent of all global digital payments.
UPI is currently dealing with 64+ crore digital transactions made on a daily basis. The number is ahead of Visa, which is currently dealing with 63.9 crore digital payments daily. The report further states that Rs 24 lakh crore was processed via 18.39 billion UPI payments in the previous month of June 2025. The transaction percentage has risen around 32 percent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) as compared to the 13.88 billion payments made in June 2024.
The report said, ‘India’s UPI has emerged as the world number one in real-time digital payment settlement system.’ It surpassed Visa to lead in processing daily transactions. The feat is phenomenal, especially the fact UPI has achieved this stature in just nine (9) years.
UPI is a real-time payment system that helps transfer the money in real time between bank accounts. It acts as a technical connector between different bank accounts through a mobile application. It is built by the NPCI (National Payment Corporation of India). The app supports fund transfers, merchant payments, bill payments, and peer-to-peer payments, enabling quick and convenient digital transactions.
UPI goes global
The IMF report added that UPI technology has expanded its reach beyond the geography of India, as several nations have adopted this payment mechanism and several others are set to adopt it.
The report said, “UPI is making its presence felt across borders. It is already live in seven countries, including the UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, and Mauritius.”
India is further pushing for its adoption in the BRICS grouping of nations as well. The adoption is set to enhance the remittances flow to India, boost financial inclusion, and establish India as a leader in the global digital payment system.