SoftBank Group, Ant Financial likely to invest $2 billion in Paytm

Paytm has in a decade become India's biggest digital-payments brand

Fintech major Paytm is close to scoring $2 billion of new financing from investors, including Jack Ma's Ant Financial and Japan’s SoftBank Group Corp, to fend off an influx of new rivals, a person familiar with the matter said.

The funding will be split evenly between equity and debt and values the country’s top online financial services firm at $16 billion, the person said, asking not to be identified talking about a private deal. The talks are in their final stages but the terms could still change, the person added. 

If a deal is finalised, Paytm could outstrip fellow high-profile Asian start-ups