8B, Central Asian fintech infrastructure company, and PayU, India’s leading diversified fintech platform, have signed a strategic partnership to bring UPI, one of the world’s fastest-growing digital payment systems, along with other Indian payment offerings, to Central Asia.
API integration to enable seamless cross-border payments
The integration of PayU’s APIs into 8B’s merchant network across Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and the broader region offers clear benefits. It enables users in India to make payments to merchants in Central Asia via UPI, net banking, and local cards.
Building a digital bridge between India and Central Asia
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in strengthening digital payment infrastructure between the two regions, laying the first structural bridge for growing trade and tourism opportunities.
Indian tourists can pay using familiar payment Apps
Through the 8B–PayU API integration, merchants across Central Asia connected to 8B’s platform can accept UPI payments directly from Indian tourists, using the same apps and websites they use at home, from ordering street food to booking flights.
Expanded payment options for merchants
The transaction flows through existing merchant infrastructure, with UPI added as a payment rail. Beyond UPI, merchants in Central Asia will also be able to accept payments via net banking and Indian credit or debit cards, including those on networks such as RuPay.
Regulatory compliance enabled in Kazakhstan
In Kazakhstan, this capability is enabled through Zesta LLP, a locally licensed payment organisation, ensuring full regulatory compliance for every transaction processed in the country.
8B highlights frictionless cross-border commerce vision
8B, Co-Founder & Chief Innovation Officer, Bogdan Zadorozhnyi said, “The Indian visitor landing in Almaty today comes with digital habits shaped by UPI. Asking them to navigate a different payment experience abroad creates unnecessary friction. This is about making cross-border commerce feel as effortless as commerce at home, it opens the door to a broader commercial relationship in which tourism is only the starting point.”
PayU sees strategic expansion in international markets
PayU, Senior Vice President, Partnerships, Nikhil Mehta said, “Through our strategic partnership with 8B, we are eliminating payment-related friction, making it effortless for Indian travellers to pay with UPI and other local methods across Central Asia, while opening new growth corridors for merchants in the region. ”
Connecting two large payment ecosystems
The 8B–PayU partnership connects two national-scale systems, UPI and 8B’s Central Asian merchant network, enabling seamless India–Central Asia payments.
8B is a provider of cross-border QR payments for fintech, e-commerce, and travel platforms, with coverage across Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia.
PayU, backed by Prosus, is India’s leading diversified fintech platform. It operates regulated businesses under the Reserve Bank of India and offers advanced digital financial solutions for merchants, banks and consumers.