Why Mobile Wallet Continues to Shine in the UPI and FedNow Era

In recent years, the financial landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with digital payment methods gaining tremendous traction. 

Mobile wallets and real-time payment platforms like FedNow and UPI are two of the key participants in this market. Even though these platforms appear to be in direct opposition to one another, a closer examination shows that mobile wallets are still very much relevant in the UPI-FedNow era. 

Mobile wallets are poised to continue shining for several compelling reasons.


1. Diverse Use Cases: Mobile wallets have succeeded in becoming adaptable instruments that support a variety of financial transactions. Mobile wallets go beyond simple peer-to-peer transactions, while UPI and FedNow provide smooth bank-to-bank transfers. Users can use them to buy things online and in person, pay bills, top up prepaid services, and even invest in mutual funds or stocks. Mobile wallets have an advantage thanks to this variety of use cases because they provide a complete financial ecosystem under a single app.

2. Accessibility and Inclusivity: The accessibility of mobile wallets is one of their key benefits. These wallets can be linked to a variety of funding sources, such as credit and debit cards, so they are not only reliant on a bank account. The ability to participate in the digital economy without the requirement for a regular bank account is especially helpful for those who are unbanked or underbanked thanks to this feature. UPI and FedNow, in contrast, both require users to have a bank account, so restricting who can use them.

3. Loyalty Programs and Cashback Offers: Through loyalty programmes and incentive offers, mobile wallets have mastered the art of client engagement. These incentives both draw in new users and keep current ones coming back. Mobile wallets make for a more engaging experience by offering prizes for each transaction, in contrast to UPI and FedNow, which primarily concentrate on the transactional component. Users will continue to use mobile wallets for their daily financial activities thanks to the gamification of payments.

4. Integration with Third-Party Services: Integrating with outside services is another aspect that distinguishes mobile wallets. A wide variety of companies, including e-commerce platforms, food delivery services, travel booking platforms, and more, have partnered with many mobile wallet providers. Through this interface, consumers may make payments with only one click, increasing ease and saving time. While UPI and FedNow primarily allow person-to-person and person-to-business transfers, they can fall short in comparison to mobile wallets in terms of the ecosystem of integrated services.

5. Security and Privacy Measures: In the age of digital transactions, security and privacy are crucial. Mobile wallets have repeatedly shown that they are committed to protecting user, and financial data. Mobile wallets provide a strong layer of security with features like biometric authentication, tokenization, and two-factor authentication. Mobile wallets have managed to establish a reputation for being secure and dependable over the years, despite the fact that UPI and FedNow also have security mechanisms in place.

6. Digital Transformation in Rural Areas: Mobile wallets have been a key factor in rural and remote communities' digital revolution. These wallets have given people in underserved areas a method to easily access financial services, make payments, and complete transactions. Despite their effectiveness, UPI and FedNow can run into issues with infrastructure and accessibility in certain places. Mobile wallets have a head start in these areas because they have already made a name for themselves there.

How Do Mobile Wallets Make Money?

Mobile wallet providers deploy various strategies to generate revenue. Here are some common ways that mobile wallets make money:

1 Transaction Fees - Mobile wallet providers have the right to levy a small fee on businesses for every transaction made on their system. This cost may change depending on the number of transactions, the value of the transactions, and the method of payment (credit card, debit card, etc.).

2 Interchange Fees - The wallet provider may receive a share of the interchange fee, which is a charge made by the merchant's bank to the cardholder's bank in exchange for enabling the transaction when a user makes a purchase using a credit or debit card that is saved in their mobile wallet.

3 Premium or Subscription-Based Services - Some mobile wallets provide premium or subscription-based services that offer extra features or advantages, like improved security features, discounts, incentives, or access to special deals. For access to these services, customers must pay a monthly or yearly fee.

4 Merchant Services - A few mobile wallet providers also include capabilities for managing payments, inventory, client relationships, and other business-related tasks. They charge businesses to use these solutions.

5 Foreign Exchange Fees - When users convert one currency to another for overseas transactions, mobile wallet providers may charge foreign exchange fees. On the exchange rate, they might profit.

6 API and Integration Fees - Mobile wallet providers that provide APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for integration with third-party apps or services have the right to charge fees to developers or companies incorporating mobile wallet features through their APIs.

Is Mobile Money the Same As Mobile Wallet?

In the world of digital finance, mobile wallets and mobile money are two connected but different ideas. Despite the fact that they both entail the use of mobile devices for financial transactions, they are distinct from one another and have different functions. Here is how mobile wallets and mobile money differ from one another:

Mobile Money: The term "mobile money" refers to a service that enables users to hold money digitally on their mobile phones, especially in locations with restricted access to traditional banking services. Mobile network operators frequently provide it in association with financial institutions. Users of mobile money can carry out fundamental financial operations such sending and receiving money, paying bills, and getting airtime. The money is kept in an account for mobile money linked to the user's mobile phone number. The service is very common in underdeveloped nations and transactions are often started using SMS or USSD codes.

Key Characteristics of Mobile Money:

• Basic financial service focused on areas with limited banking infrastructure.

• Allows users to store money in a mobile-based account tied to their phone number.

• Transactions are initiated using SMS or USSD codes.

• Often used for domestic transactions, especially in regions with underdeveloped financial services.

Mobile wallet: A mobile wallet is a software programme that securely keeps different types of payment information on a mobile device. It is sometimes referred to as a digital wallet or an e-wallet. This includes information from loyalty cards, digital tickets, and credit and debit card information. In areas with a developed financial infrastructure, mobile wallets are commonly utilised and connected with current banking systems. They handle a variety of transactions, both in-person and online, and frequently enable contactless payments using systems like near-field communication (NFC).

Key Characteristics of Mobile Wallets:

• Focuses on digital payments and transactions.

• Stores payment card information and other payment methods on a mobile device.

• Supports various types of transactions, including in-store, online, and peer-to-peer payments.

• Commonly used in conjunction with traditional banking services.

• Predominantly used in regions with developed financial infrastructure.

In summary, mobile money emphasizes providing basic financial services to areas with limited banking access, while mobile wallets are designed to facilitate digital payments across a broader spectrum of financial interactions in regions with established financial systems.