Before we dive into how India Stack is driving financial innovation in India, we want to take a step back and simplify - What is India Stack?

India Stack is a family of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) sitting on top of the biometric-enabled Aadhaar system. It aims to provide a way to build a digital world around a unique identification number. Using such interfaces, applications are designed for desktops, phones, wearables, etc.

Now you might be wondering how this entire ecosystem works, let’s discuss it in detail.

Interlinking India Stack & Aadhaar

The Indian government leveraged the biometric-driven identity, Aadhaar to create applications and software to usher in the digital economy era in India. Here is where the concept of an open technology platform or application programming interface (API) comes in.

This open-technology platform is an intermediary software that allows seamless access to authentication, authorization, and transfer of funds and data between banks, customers and fintech firms. All pivoted on the unique identification number. The controls to access all private information are through individual consent.

Thus, India Stack has paved the way for a safe and effective way to lead Indians into a more accessible and efficient financial world.

How’s this link driving financial innovation in India?

The Aadhaar-enabled payment system has made it possible to develop mobile banking and peer-to-peer payments, simplifying payment infrastructure. These products and services were impossible before because there was no way to verify the customer’s identity. With the Aadhaar-enabled payment system, customers can use their mobile phones to authenticate themselves using their fingerprints or iris scan.

Many government organizations already substantially rely on Aadhaar for their programs. Thousands of "duplicate accounts" have been removed, thanks to Aadhaar-based authentication, which has also helped assistance programs save billions of dollars.

It’s because of Aadhaar that an Indian farmer no longer needs to wait in line to receive his monthly farming subsidy. Instead, the government can electronically verify his identity and then deposit the subsidy via UPI directly to the farmer's bank account that is connected to his Aadhaar.

But outside of the government, the India Stack offers commercial companies chances to enable disruption. Businesses can access consumer segments that were previously out of their reach by lowering the cost of both customer acquisition and ongoing maintenance.

All of a sudden, we have moved from a society where small street vendors do not even have a bank account to one where the same vendors now conduct all of their transactions digitally, utilize the data to get credit, expand the business, and even invest their savings profitably.

The India Stack has essentially created a digital gateway to the entire financial world.

What’s in the future?

With different stakeholders sharing data and funds through secure portals and people transferring funds with a swipe, we have come a long way on the financial journey. Thanks to this complex API of India Stack, the Indian government was able to send subsidies through UPI and Aadhaar-linked bank accounts to BPL citizens during the pandemic by digitally confirming their identity.

With more fintech companies coming into play and the ever-increasing faith of netizens in digital transactions and low-cost fund transfers, the digital economy is set to grow manifolds over the years. India Stack is the highway to an unprecedented and secure financial world.

Liked what you read? Take a deep dive into the four pillars of the India Stack.

It is a common mistake to think saving and investing are the same thing. Before we go ahead and say that they aren’t, it is important that we first understand why it is that we think they are the same thing.

Saving and investing, both include the process of putting aside a set amount of money from your income. That’s about where their similarities end. They both have different goals.

Saving is a goal focused focused activity. You set a savings target for yourself and you save towards it. Completion of that goal is marked by a transaction.

Investing is what you do with capital. It involves some risk and it anticipates a reward. Portions of your savings that you are willing to expose to risk, in return for a possibility of higher returns is your investment capital.

It is common for people to save for an investment, such as a downpayment on a house. You save to hit that goal and then you allocate it towards that investment.

Why you shouldn’t mix investing and saving

Social media spaces like Linkedin and Twitter were rife with talk about how people’s stocks and crypto portfolios took a beating in the recent market turns. If history has taught us anything, it is that that is just what markets do. There are periods of exhilarating highs and soul crushing lows. Seasoned investors are well aware of this and they don’t depend on their investments for their purchase commitments.

When the market goes up and up, new investors who taste profits start planning their purchases based on the uptrend. You and I know at least one person who saved for something in the stock market. They ended up with lesser than how much they had saved when the markets turned.

When to save and when to invest

In the long run, even modest investments outperform savings. But, like anything, they have their own use cases and it has to do with how much time you have and how much risk you can take.

Your needs, like paying for your children’s education, downpayment for you car, upgrading your electronics are things that are time bound. It makes most sense to save for these as you anticipate these transaction before a certain date as per your plan or need.

Uncertainties like a job loss or a large medical expense are things that can shake anybody’s core. It is important to have savings that you can access for such times. It is not wise to put the money that you have saved for something as important as education into your investments. You may get hit with a market crash and you will be forced to sell at a loss to recover your investment.

To sum up, if you can and don’t mind waiting for good returns, you invest.

If you need the money in the near future, you save.

Would you eat soup with a fork? Or try to skate in running shoes? Or play cricket with a badminton racket?

No, because it would be absurd.

Then why do you “spend” from a “savings” account?

When you use a product that is not fit for purpose, you don’t get the desired results. Now you might ask, is there something like a “spending” account?

What is a spending account?

A spending account is an account designed for your lifestyle spending. It helps you get the maximum value from the money you have earmarked for spending on daily expenses, regular shopping, or once-in-a-while luxury buys. A spending account has specially designed features that enhance your spending experience and provide the best growth to your spending money.

Why do you need a spending account?

When you spend on your lifestyle, you typically make multiple transactions with multiple brands and merchants. Because of the unique way in which spending money is used, it has certain unique challenges. 

• Your spending money lies idle in the savings account and earns very little or next to nothing because of low-interest rates, high inflation rates, and taxation.
• Earnings are credited quarterly or annually by the banks, which means you end up losing earnings due to multiple transactions taking place simultaneously
• It is difficult to track spending across categories when investments, utility bill payments, shopping, etc. - all payments are debited from the same account.
• You end up exposing your bank details to multiple brands and merchants as you spend across categories.

Introducing Hubble Money - your spending account

Hubble is the first-of-its-kind spending account where you can deposit your ‘spend’ money & earn 0.1% daily on that deposit, i.e. 10% in just 100 days. 

Once you add money to your Hubble account, your earnings are automatically credited every 24 hours. You can redeem your balance to spend on top brands such as Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy, Uber, PVR, Myntra, Nykaa, Croma, and more. Hubble has partnered with 30+ top brands to bring you a fulfilling shopping experience.

With Hubble, we also have flipped the rewards experience. Your spending money deposited in your account earns you more spending money. You don’t have to wait for discount coupons, cashback, or reward points. You will regularly get opportunities to earn even more, over & above your daily growth by participating in games & challenges. 

There is no lock-in with Hubble. In case something unexpected comes up, you can withdraw your money at any time. 

What are the benefits of the Hubble spending account?

A Hubble spending account is built to help you spend on all your lifestyle needs and make the most of your spending. 

• Money kept in the Hubble spending account grows 10X faster than a savings account
• Earnings on the Hubble balance are credited daily, you can spend any time without worrying about losing your earnings.
• Earnings are guaranteed and consistent, no need to worry about the volatility of the market 
• You can track and manage your spending across various categories easily through your Hubble spending account
• Your bank details are safe and are not shared with any brand or merchant as you spend using virtual brand cards

Hubble Spending Account Vs Savings Account Vs FD

Let’s look at an example to understand the comparison. Suppose you deposit Rs 20,000 today in each avenue - Savings account, FD, & Hubble. Here’s how your money will grow in the next 100 days. 

Moreover, you can watch your money grow every day on Hubble, unlike savings accounts & FDs. Banks saving accounts and FDs have time period restrictions along with minimum interest amount requirements, making them less attractive options than Hubble when it comes to growing our liquid cash meant for spending purposes comparatively within the same duration i.e. 100 days!

‍

Hubble wallet is a unique spending account that grows your money 10x faster than your bank savings account. With the Hubble account, you can deposit your money and watch it grow at a steady rate of 0.1% every day, i.e., 10% in just 100 days, without any extra fees, charges or taxes. 

Example: Say you deposit Rs 10,000 today in your Hubble wallet. Now your money grows to Rs 11,000 by the 100th day. This - Rs 11,000 of which Rs 10,000 will be your original deposit and the Rs 1000 extra will be your Hubble earnings, which is fully redeemable along with your deposit at any time.

You can redeem your total balance to spend on top brands such as Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy, Uber, PVR, Myntra, Nykaa, Croma, and more. Hubble has partnered with 30+ top brands to bring you a fulfilling shopping experience.

We have also upgraded the rewarding experience with the Hubble spending account. You don't need to wait for reward points, cashback, or discount coupons. You will frequently have the chance to increase your earnings by participating in challenges and games on top of your everyday earnings. 

Here’s how your money will grow in the Hubble spending account 

‍

Step 1: Sign up on Hubble with your mobile number and enter the Hubbleverse. 

Step 2:  Click ‘Add money’ to make your first deposit to your Hubble spending account. 

‍

Step 3: Enter the amount you want to deposit.

Once you enter the amount you wish to deposit, you can see how much your money will grow in 24 hours, 30 days, and 100 days. 

Step 4: Choose your preferred mode of payment and make your deposit

‍

Step 6: You will get a message on successful payment on the next page. If you wish to put your earnings on autopilot, you can enable the ‘Auto Debit’ option available at the bottom of the page. 

‍

Woohoo! This way you must have unlocked your first of many earnings. 

Hubble wallet will not only ensure that your money makes the most of its value but also make your spending experience - more rewarding & fun! 

Now, let us take you on a tour about how you can redeem your earnings & shop from top brands.

You can redeem your full or a portion of your deposits &  earnings on Hubble anytime, to get a virtual payment card of a brand you would like to shop from. You can use this payment card at the brand’s online & offline stores (depending on the brand). 

How to Generate a Virtual Payment Card from your Hubble Wallet

‍

Step 1 : Open the Hubble app & click on the ‘Shop’ section from the home page 

‍

Step 2 : Choose a brand you want to generate a virtual card for.

For this example, let's go with Swiggy.

Step 3 - Enter the amount you want to redeem it for. 

Step 4 : Then, click on ‘Review’ and verify using OTP. 

Step 5 : Click on ‘Generate’ and your virtual payment card will be displayed on the screen. 

Your cards will show as below.

You can use this virtual card at the brand’s offline stores or on its website to purchase any product of your choice. If you want to know how you can use these payment virtual cards, tap on the card to view details and then, click on ‘How to use’ it. We have added the ‘How to use’ section for every brand. 

Congratulations! You've just created your first virtual card.

Ready to use it? Here's how!

How to Use your Virtual Payment Card

This may vary from brand to brand, but the overall concept is the same.

For this example, we'll continue using Swiggy for the demonstration.

Step 1 : Navigate to your virtual card and tap to copy your virtual card number

Step 2 : Open Swiggy App on your phone and tap on 'Redeem Now'

‍

Step 3 : Paste the Virtual Card Number generated here

Step 4 : Head back to Hubble wallet and copy the 'Virtual Card Pin'

Step 5 : Paste it in the 'Voucher PIN' section and hit 'Redeem Voucher'

Boom! Your balance is ready to use on your Swiggy App.

‍

Hope you enjoyed this step-by-step guide to using your Hubble Wallet.

Watch this space for more detailed how-to's.

Or head down to Hubble Blog for more valuable content we publish every week.

If you're like most people, you probably have a hard time keeping track of your daily expenses. Whether it's the morning coffee, the daily auto ride to the office, or the grocery shopping, it can be easy to let small expenses add up without even realizing it. One of the best ways to take control of your daily expenses and start saving more effectively is by creating a spending account. In this post, we'll explore the benefits of a spending account. 

Why you should have a spending account?

One of the biggest advantages of having a spending account is that it makes it easier to track your expenses. Instead of having all of your money mixed together in one account, you can see exactly where your money is going each day. This can help you identify areas where you may be overspending, and make adjustments accordingly.

Another benefit of having a spending account is that it can make budgeting easier. When you know exactly how much money you have allocated for daily expenses head, it's easier to stick to that budget and avoid impulse purchases. Additionally, it can make it easier to plan for big expenses, such as a vacation or a new smartphone purchase, as you'll have a better idea of how much money you have available for those expenses.

One of the best ways to ensure you aren’t overspending is by automating your spending budget. By setting up automatic transfers from your primary account to your spending account, you can ensure that a set amount of money is being allocated for spending each month, even if you forget to manually transfer funds. This can help to build up mindful spending habits and make it easier to reach your financial goals.

Additionally, having a separate spending account also helps to reduce the chances of overspending and impulse buying. When you have a different account for your spending,  you can better control your expenses and make sure you're not over-extending yourself financially. This can help you avoid unnecessary debt and build your savings over time.

Decide and get a spending account today 

Having a spending account for your daily expenses is a great way to take control of your finances and start saving more effectively. It can help you track your spending, budget your expenses easily, and automate your savings, making it easier to reach your financial goals. So if you're tired of feeling like your money is slipping through your fingers, consider creating a spending account today.

Why you should get a Hubble Spending Account?

Hubble Money is a unique spending account designed to give you 10X better returns than your savings account. You can deposit your spending money and watch it grow every day by 0.1%, i.e, 10% in 100 days. You can use your deposit & earnings to generate a virtual payment card and buy anything you want from our brand partners. With your money growing daily, you will want to save more, budget your expenses, and control impulse purchases. 

We have partnered with 30+ top brands like Amazon, Myntra, Uber, Swiggy, Zomato, Flipkart,  and more to deliver the most rewarding spending experience to you. 

We’re here to help you make the most of the spending money that is lying idle in your bank and have fun on the way. 

‍

Spending money on others can bring a sense of happiness and fulfillment to the giver. This phenomenon, known as "prosocial spending," has been studied by researchers in the field of psychology and economics, who have found several reasons why people may experience positive emotions when they spend money on others.

Dopamine

Giving to others can activate the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals are associated with pleasure and happiness, and can be triggered by acts of kindness and generosity.

Sense of purpose

Another reason is that giving to others can provide a sense of purpose and meaning in life. People often find satisfaction in making a positive impact on the lives of others, and spending money on others can be a way to achieve this.

It can also make people feel more connected to others and foster a sense of community.

Satisfaction

Additionally, research has shown that people who engage in prosocial spending tend to have higher levels of self-esteem and life satisfaction. This may be because giving to others can help individuals feel more in control of their lives and more capable of making a positive difference in the world.

Lastly, spending money on others can be a way for people to focus on others, rather than themselves, which may be beneficial for people who are feeling down or stressed.

In conclusion, spending money on others can bring a sense of happiness and fulfilment to the giver. It can activate the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain, provide a sense of purpose and meaning in life, foster a sense of community, increase self-esteem and life satisfaction, and help people focus on others, rather than themselves.

‍