Stocks of One97 Communications, the parent company of digital payments giant Paytm, saw a sharp downturn today as the Paytm shares price crashes 10%. Here’s why has become the most discussed headline in the market. Because investors reacted suddenly to fresh regulatory news and policy uncertainty, Paytm’s share price plunged almost 10% on the Bombay Stock Exchange, triggering fears among traders and long-term buyers alike. Although the broader market sentiment has been volatile, this drop stands out because it marks one of the steepest single-day falls in recent sessions, and it came after key developments around payment infrastructure policy that could affect future earnings. In this article, we break down the major reasons behind today’s crash, explain related keywords such as digital payments regulation, Payment Infrastructure Development Fund uncertainty, and RBI policy concerns, and help you understand what this means for the company’s stock going forward.
What Happened Today? Paytm Shares Price Crashes 10%
On Jan 23, 2026, shares of One97 Communications fell sharply, with the stock sliding as much as 9.99% to ₹1,134.85 per share on BSE. This marked a continuation of a downward trend as the stock traded lower in four out of the last five sessions.
Investors were caught off guard as the sudden drop wiped off significant market value from the fintech firm, and trading volumes spiked compared with recent averages, suggesting heavy selling pressure.
Paytm Shares: PIDF Scheme Uncertainty Hits Sentiment
One of the major factors behind the crash is news and speculation about the Payment Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), a program run by the Reserve Bank of India to subsidise deployment of payment infrastructure in lesser-served regions. The RBI extended this scheme up to December 2025, but there is no clear confirmation yet on further extension.
Because Paytm has historically benefitted from PIDF support to expand QR codes and point-of-sale (PoS) deployment, investors fear that lack of extension could slow merchant onboarding and revenue growth. This reduced clarity has noticeably dampened sentiment, and the market reacted with selling pressure.
How Has the Stock Performed Recently?
According to market data, Paytm’s share price has faced significant short-term pressure:
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Paytm shares are down roughly 15% in the last five days
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Stock hit a three-month low of around ₹1,134.50 on Jan 23, 2026
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Recent performance shows sharp volatility despite strong long-term returns over previous years
Despite this short-term weakness, Paytm’s share has delivered substantial gains over the past year and three years, reflecting strong long-term growth in digital payments usage.
Other Factors Contributing to the Drop
Even though the PIDF uncertainty is the main trigger for today’s crash, several other market and company-specific elements may have played a role:
1. Regulatory Sensitivity
Paytm operates in an industry where regulatory changes can have immediate stock price effects. While today’s drop is linked to PIDF questions, past reactions to policy changes show that the market is highly sensitive.
2. Profit Volatility
Recently reported quarterly results showed swings in profitability, with net profit substantially falling in some quarters compared with prior periods. Although the stock has rallied at times, fluctuating earnings can affect investor confidence.
3. Competitive Pressure
Paytm faces stiff competition from other payment and fintech players in India’s digital ecosystem. While not the primary reason for today’s drop, competitive dynamics can influence long-term valuations.
What This Means for Paytm Investors
Because the digital payments space is dynamic and policy-driven, investors should consider multiple factors:
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Policy developments such as the RBI’s decisions on schemes like PIDF
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Quarterly financial performance and margins
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Competitive pressures from other fintech firms
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Long-term adoption trends in digital transactions
While today’s sell-off reflects near-term market sentiment, it is important to remember that digital payments adoption continues to rise in India, and Paytm remains one of the most prominent players.
Quick Points
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Paytm shares price crashed nearly 10% on Jan 23, 2026 due to heavy selling.
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PIDF scheme uncertainty was a key trigger for the decline.
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The stock has fallen in several recent sessions, indicating weaker near-term sentiment.
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Regulatory and policy changes can have rapid impact on fintech stocks.
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Despite the drop, Paytm’s long-term story remains tied to India’s digital payments growth.
Official Websites for Paytm
Paytm Official Website: https://paytm.com/
One97 Communications Corporate Information: https://www.paytm.com/about
Conclusion
In conclusion, the sudden 10 percent crash in Paytm’s share price highlights how sensitive the stock remains to regulatory updates and market sentiment. Moreover, the uncertainty surrounding the PIDF scheme and concerns linked to policy changes created immediate selling pressure among investors. Additionally, the broader volatility in the fintech sector contributed to the sharp decline. However, despite today’s fall, Paytm’s long-term position in India’s growing digital payments ecosystem remains important. Therefore, investors should closely track regulatory announcements, quarterly results and market conditions before making any decision, as short-term market reactions can often be temporary.
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