Meta considers $4 billion investment in Indian fintech CRED

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is reported to be in talks to invest in Indian fintech startup CRED. The deal could value CRED at around $4 billion, a modest increase from its recent $3.5 billion valuation but below the $6.4 billion it fetched in 2022. Meta is evaluating several options, from a primary capital infusion of tens of millions of dollars to a possible full acquisition at a lower price, and even an operating role for CRED founder Kunal Shah.

Founded in 2018 and based in Bengaluru, CRED serves affluent, credit‑worthy consumers with credit‑card bill payments, rewards, lending and UPI‑based services. In fiscal year 2025 the company reported operating revenue of ₹2,735 crore, a 16 % year‑on‑year rise, while operating losses fell 51 % to ₹298 crore. Monthly transacting users grew 14.5 % to 1.26 crore, and total payment value processed increased 23 % to ₹8.5 lakh crore.

Meta’s interest aligns with its ambition to strengthen its foothold in India’s payments market, where it currently competes through WhatsApp Pay. Both firms hold less than 1 % of the UPI ecosystem share, together accounting for under 2 % of the market.