Curie Money, a fintech platform founded in Bengaluru, has announced its official nationwide launch following final approval from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Exiting its Closed User Group phase, Curie Money is now accessible to all users across Android and iOS, redefining digital banking and personal finance for Indian consumers. The company aims to make money management truly seamless and rewarding by blending real-time UPI payments with regulated liquid mutual fund returns—a novel solution designed for users who want both growth and instant liquidity.
With this announcement, Curie Money becomes India’s first UPI app that grows your money in a liquid mutual fund at all times, marking a new era of smarter, high-yield money management.
Key Features of Curie Money
- Daily Growth, Instant Access: Money deposited with Curie is invested safely in SEBI-regulated liquid mutual funds (in partnerships with AMCs like ICICI Prudential and Bajaj Finserv, and YES Bank), offering up to 6.7% CAGR. Unlike traditional bank accounts, users earn daily returns while retaining instant access to funds for everyday payments.
- UPI Payments from Investment Balance: Through Curie’s instant redemption facility, users can make UPI payments by redeeming mutual fund units on demand. Payments are executed after instant fund transfer, so money grows until the moment it’s used.
- Regulatory Reliability: The platform ensures strong compliance and security protocols, with robust data management, banking, and AMC partnerships. All customer funds are held and processed by regulated entities, providing the highest standard of user trust.
- Seamless Experience: Curie supports fast, digital onboarding, no minimum balance, and all-day access through its user-friendly mobile app. It’s positioned to bridge the gap between returns and daily liquidity more efficiently than legacy banks and most investment apps.
CEO and Co-founder Arindam Ghosh commented, “Receiving NPCI’s final approval reinforces our vision of building India’s first UPI app that grows your money… a brand new way to banking.”
Recent Funding and Tech Partnerships:
The NPCI approval comes on the back of Curie Money’s $1.2 million seed round in December 2024, led by India Quotient with participation from Better Capital and other top fintech investors. The fresh capital has been channeled into core team expansion, technology upgrades, and deepening regulatory partnerships. Curie is inspired by models seen in the USA and Europe (like money market accounts), but tailored for India’s emerging digital-first financial landscape.
Read this: WealthTech Platform Dezerv Secures Rs 350 Crore in Funding Co-Led by Premji Invest and Accel
Additional Info – Go-To-Market and Roadmap:
- Curie’s unique proposition of mutual fund-backed UPI payments is a first in India, with the beta app showing strong early adoption among millennial and salaried users.
- Having exited closed beta with 1,000 initial users, Curie is now scaling with nationwide access and preparing to launch advanced features for MSMEs, micro-investments, and more mutual fund partners by 2026.
- Its business model (distribution commission plus premium services) aligns with the new wave of fintech innovations focused on combining daily returns with instant access—addressing a major gap in Indian money management.
Summary:
Curie Money’s press release announces its transition from closed beta to full-market launch, offering Indian users a seamless blend of regulated mutual fund returns and UPI-powered instant payments. With robust funding, strong tech partnerships, and nationwide accessibility, Curie stands out as a next-generation banking and investment platform for India