Proxgy, an Internet of Things (IoT) startup, has announced ThumbPay, a biometric payment device that allows people to make transactions using their thumb. The system connects Aadhaar authentication with UPI, removing the need for a phone, card, or wallet.
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Pulkit Ahuja, founder and CEO of Proxgy, said: “India did the hard work building Aadhaar and UPI over the last decade; ThumbPay is a creative synthesis of these platforms. To pay, customers place their thumb on the device. Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS) verifies the identity, and UPI completes the bank-to-bank transfer. This allows payments without QR codes, smartphones, or cash. The device has a certified fingerprint scanner with fraud detection, a small camera for verification, UV sterilization for hygiene, and options for QR and NFC payments. Since it connects directly to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, anyone with such an account can use it without additional registration. The device has completed pilot trials and compliance checks from UIDAI and NPCI would be the next step. Once approvals are secured, Proxgy plans a phased rollout with banks and fintech firms.
Ahuja said ThumbPay could help people who don’t use smartphones or carry wallets, including elderly users and daily wage workers. “We’re essentially bringing the power of UPI to every person’s fingertip—literally,” he said. Watch Google’s New AI Is BANANAS: How To Use Gemini Nano Banana