{
  "id": 1719757,
  "title": "Paytm’s chief sets $1 bn free cash goal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/paytms-chief-sets-1-bn-free-cash-goal",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-18T03:45:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times",
    "slug": "the-economic-times",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/paytms-vijay-shekhar-sharma-sets-1-billion-free-cash-goal-sees-fintechs-gaining-lending-share/articleshow/133310762.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Founder of Paytm, Vijay Shekhar Sharma, has set a target of generating $1 billion in free cash flow for the company. Sharma believes that fintechs' share of the lending market could double over the next four to five years, as the overall market expands. Currently, the lending market is growing at around 15% annually, and could potentially reach Rs 400 lakh crore within five years. Sharma emphasized that the fintech ecosystem has matured beyond being just a technology sector and is now considered a financial subsystem. Paytm has shifted its focus to align with regulatory requirements and compliance, moving from an earlier approach of launching products without considering regulatory obligations. The company is also exploring a new merchant payments business, aiming to grow without relying on merchant discount rate revenue, incentives, or grants.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}