Fintech giant Paytm has launched a new feature that allows users to create personalised UPI IDs that hide their mobile numbers while sending and receiving money. The service, currently available for UPI handles provided by Yes Bank and Axis Bank, offers custom IDs like name@ptyes or name@ptaxis. It is planned to expand to other banking partners soon. Users can activate the feature via the UPI settings of the Paytm app.

This is part of Paytm's broader efforts to improve user experience with privacy-focused tools. The move follows the National Payments Corporation of India's (NPCI) decision to ban special characters in UPI IDs in order to standardise the system.

Internationally, Paytm has expanded its UPI international service to countries including France, Mauritius, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Nepal, with subsidiaries in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Singapore. The company recently invested $2.1 million in its UAE subsidiary and appointed Ramana Kumar as CEO of its Middle East operations. Paytm plans to focus on B2B partnerships and technology solutions to fuel global growth.

The company reported a net loss of Rs 544.6 crore in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, narrowing from the previous year. Founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma expects the company to turn profitable by the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Shares of Paytm rose marginally to close at Rs 966.15 on the BSE.