Originals · Startup · Startups & Fintech
Decentro launches Static and Dynamic QR Soundboxes for merchant UPI confirmations
The Bengaluru payments API company moves from software rails into countertop devices, targeting one million Soundboxes by end 2028 after deploying thousands of offline UPI QR codes.
Bengaluru fintech Decentro has launched Static QR and Dynamic QR Soundbox devices that give merchants spoken confirmations when UPI payments clear at the counter, YourStory reported in its 4 November 2026 startup roundup, with parallel coverage from Startup77. Co founder and CEO Rohit Taneja's company previously focused on banking and payments APIs; the Soundboxes mark a push into physical acceptance hardware for kirana stores, cafes, salons and similar retail counters.
The Static QR model focuses on audio alerts for incoming payments and supports 4G, 2G and optional Wi Fi, with alerts in English, Hindi and regional languages, according to YourStory. The Dynamic QR Soundbox adds a display that generates transaction specific QR codes, plus a keypad and NFC. YourStory said contactless card payments through RuPay, Visa and Mastercard on the dynamic unit are expected to go live in about two months. Devices are available for purchase or rental through banks, fintechs and other platforms.
Decentro said it already has over 5,000 offline UPI QR codes deployed and aims for one million Soundboxes by the end of 2028, YourStory reported. Startup77 framed the launch as expanding Decentro beyond digital payment APIs into point of payment acceptance, with aggregator and brand partnerships as the distribution path. For India's merchant payments stack, the move puts another API first player into the crowded soundbox category that NPCI has also been shaping with talk of more interoperable device infrastructure.
