GIFT City and FinTechs: Fueling India’s Global Investment Wave in 2025
By Vivek Ranva
Indian investors are steadily moving beyond domestic markets, exploring global opportunities for diversification, protection against a weakening rupee, and access to leading global companies.
At the recent ‘Mint Horizons’ masterclass in Ahmedabad, experts highlighted how GIFT City (India’s International Financial Services Centre – IFSC) is emerging as the new gateway for outbound capital. The discussions revealed how FinTechs are making global investing seamless, digital, and cost-efficient.
🔑 Why GIFT City Matters
- Acts as an offshore financial hub within India.
- Competes with Singapore, Dubai & Mauritius as a global centre.
- Attracts both inbound & outbound funds with investor-friendly regulations.
- Allows Indians to diversify globally with ease.
📊 Opportunities in Global Investing
- India = only 4% of world market cap.
- 95%+ opportunities lie outside India in sectors like:
- AI & Cloud Computing
- Electric Vehicles (BYD, not Tesla)
- FinTech & Digital Payments (Visa, Mastercard)
- Global consumer brands (Nike, Puma, Lululemon)
🚀 FinTechs Breaking Barriers
Platforms like Appreciate are simplifying global investing:
- 3-min onboarding
- 15-sec transactions
- Forex fees < 1%
- End-to-end digital
⚖️ Tax & Returns
- International investments taxed at 12.5% LTCG (2+ yrs).
- US Estate Duty applies mainly on direct stocks.
- Long-term wealth creation through dollar assets helps hedge overseas education, relocation & future expenses.
🌍 The Bigger Picture
The vision is clear: “Onshore the Offshore” – bring India-related global business back home via GIFT City. With FinTechs lowering costs and global markets opening up, Indian investors are better placed than ever to build resilient, diversified portfolios for 2025 & beyond.