NTT Data Payment Services is developing a new hub architecture, called Adaptis, to link India’s UPI with fast payment networks across Asia. The project aims to simplify cross-border retail transactions by replacing complex bilateral agreements with a single, interoperable system.
NTT Data Payment Services is launching a strategic effort to expand the reach of India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) across the Asian market. The company is creating a hub-based architecture that will connect UPI directly with various domestic fast payment systems throughout the region. This initiative, which operates under the brand name Adaptis, is designed to overcome the limitations of the current cross-border payment landscape.
Moving Beyond Bilateral Links
Currently, cross-border payments between countries often rely on specific, one-to-one bilateral agreements. These arrangements can be time-consuming to set up and difficult to scale due to varying regulatory requirements and settlement processes in each country. NTT Data’s proposed hub model intends to create a shared-switch layer that bridges these disparate systems. By centralizing the connection, the system aims to allow merchants and consumers in countries like Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, and India to transact more efficiently without needing a separate agreement for every new corridor.
Expansion in the Indian Payment Space
NTT Data has been steadily increasing its footprint in India’s digital finance ecosystem. The company entered the domestic market in 2018 through the acquisition of Atom Technologies, which was formerly part of 63Moons. Since that time, the company has focused on building a robust infrastructure to support payment aggregators and merchants. This new hub project represents a significant step in leveraging that acquired technology to serve the growing demand for frictionless international retail payments.
Strategic Implications and Monitorables
While the hub model promises to streamline interoperability, the ultimate success of this project will depend on several external factors. Investors and market observers may track the company’s ability to secure necessary approvals from central banks and regulatory authorities in each participating Asian nation, as cross-border financial data and settlement protocols are subject to strict oversight. Additionally, the project’s success will rely on widespread adoption by local banks and payment providers, as the efficiency of a hub-based network increases with the number of connected participants. Following this, the key monitorable will be the rollout timeline for the Adaptis architecture and the company's ability to demonstrate consistent transaction volumes across these new international corridors.