WazirX Doubles Active Traders, Futures Drive 243% Surge in Volumes

WazirX Sees Nearly 100% Growth in Monthly Trades per Active Trader, Since Restart

WazirX Marks One Year Since Operations Restart as Active Traders Double

WazirX, India’s leading crypto exchange, is marking the first anniversary of its restart following its restructuring. The platform has seen renewed trading activity, customer re-engagement and growth in Futures trading. Following the restart in October 2025, users received approximately 85% of their approved claims.

95% of trading activity post restart came from returning users. The number of active traders more than doubled between July and September. Repeat engagement improved over the same period of recovery, indicating a growing proportion of customers returning to the platform across multiple days.

Expanding the product experience with new trading capabilities and tools

Over the past year, WazirX has expanded its product offering to give customers more choice in how they trade, manage costs and access market information. WazirX ZERO introduced unlimited spot trades for ₹99 per month, allowing users to trade without per-trade trading fees. In May 2026, the exchange publicly launched crypto Futures, offering INR-margined perpetual contracts, lowest trading fees in the industry, and features such as Limit Orders, Take Profit, Stop Loss and Auto Margin Top-Up.

The platform subsequently added INR-settled perpetual contracts linked to global stocks, precious metals and energy markets. These additions give traders more ways to access different markets through the platform.

WazirX also introduced WazirX AI, a conversational trading copilot designed to help users research markets, understand their portfolios and navigate trading decisions with greater ease. By bringing market information, portfolio insights and trading assistance into a conversational interface, the tool aims to reduce the time and effort involved in researching and managing trades.

The exchange launched Taxlyst, a free, exchange-agnostic crypto tax-reporting platform that helps users organise their crypto transactions, calculate gains and losses, estimate tax liabilities and prepare reports for tax filing.

Strengthening security, transparency and customer service

Alongside product development, WazirX continued to strengthen its security infrastructure and customer support. The exchange uses BitGo for digital-asset custody and has integrated Fireblocks technology as part of its security architecture. It also introduced additional account-protection measures, including enhanced withdrawal safeguards, improved bot protection and stronger password-recovery workflows.

Compliance processes continued to evolve through improvements to KYC and re-KYC, a streamlined digital corporate-verification journey and updates to crypto deposit verification to support applicable Travel Rule requirements.

WazirX’s internal customer satisfaction metric reached over 90%, alongside improvements in first-response turnaround time. The exchange’s Guardians of Trust initiative brings together security updates, transparency efforts and user education as part of its ongoing focus on helping customers better understand platform safeguards and developments.

Futures trading emerges as a key growth driver

Futures has become an important contributor to WazirX’s trading activity. Following the public launch of WazirX Futures on 13 May 2026, monthly Futures trading volume grew 62x. Between July and September 2026, monthly Futures trading volume increased by approximately 243%. The growth reflects the expansion of the product from its initial rollout into a broader offering, supported by additional markets, trading features and access options.

Spot trading activity also showed signs of recovery, with monthly spot trading volume increasing by approximately 124%. Together, these trends reflect activity across both the exchange’s established spot offering and its newer Futures product.

Customer activity and engagement strengthen

Beyond trading volumes, WazirX recorded improvements in customer activity and repeat participation. The number of individual deposits increased by approximately 88%. The number of customers making deposits increased 78.9% between November 2025 and September 2026

The platform’s customer base also extended beyond India’s largest urban centres. WazirX ZERO has also shown encouraging engagement patterns. ZERO subscribers traded 13% more frequently and recorded more than five times the repeat engagement of pay-per-trade users.

Nischal Shetty, Founder of WazirX, said: “Restarting operations was an important first step, but rebuilding trust and improving the customer experience is an ongoing process. Over the past year, we have focused on giving customers more choice, introducing products that address their needs and strengthening the systems that support their trading experience. The progress made over the past year gives us a foundation to keep improving, while ensuring that the confidence of our customers remains central to what we build next.”

Progress on customer recovery

Alongside the revival of platform activity, WazirX has continued implementing the customer recovery framework established under its court-approved Scheme of Arrangement. On 8 January 2026, WazirX also distributed Recovery Tokens to eligible customers in accordance with the Scheme. These tokens represent users’ proportional entitlements and are intended to facilitate potential additional recoveries as assets are recovered and profits become available, subject to the Scheme’s terms.

The first year since the restart therefore reflects progress on two connected fronts - rebuilding customer participation through product development and service improvements, and continuing to implement the court-approved recovery framework. WazirX’s focus remains on improving the platform experience and continuing to deliver the best for its users.



About WazirX: WazirX is a leading Indian cryptocurrency exchange established in 2018, offering INR-based access to crypto through spot and perpetual futures markets. Users can buy and sell crypto in spot markets and trade INR-settled perpetual futures with features such as leverage, stop-loss and take-profit orders. WazirX has partnered with BitGo and integrated Fireblocks’ technology to strengthen digital asset security. WazirX supports INR deposits and withdrawals through verified bank accounts and is available on web, Android and iOS. The platform is registered as a Reporting Entity with the Financial Intelligence Unit, India (FIU-IND) and follows KYC and AML processes.

For more information about WazirX, please visit: https://wazirx.com/



Media Contact:

Shramana Chatterjee | WazirX | shramana.c@wazirx.com | 8130761374

Prutha Rupareliya | Adfactors PR | rupareliya.prutha@adfactorspr.com | 7977110300

The Hidden Costs of AI Agents: Why Observability Is Becoming Essential in the AI Era

Artificial intelligence agents are rapidly transforming how organizations operate, helping automate workflows, improve customer experiences, accelerate software development, and support business decision-making.

However, as enterprises race to deploy increasingly sophisticated AI systems, a new challenge is emerging: managing the unpredictability, costs, risks, and performance of these autonomous agents.

According to Cisco's Splunk State of Observability 2026: Restoring Predictability in the AI Era report, businesses worldwide are struggling to balance the promise of AI with the practical realities of monitoring and controlling it. The study highlights a growing need for what experts call "agent observability" - the ability to monitor, measure, and govern AI agents effectively.

AI Adoption Is Outpacing AI Oversight

Organizations are increasingly deploying AI agents to perform tasks that were once handled exclusively by humans. These agents can assist with software development, customer service, troubleshooting, and operational management.

Yet many companies are discovering that while AI deployment is accelerating, visibility into how these systems behave is not keeping pace.

The research found that 87% of respondents consider monitoring AI systems a priority, but more than half lack clearly defined business outcomes linked to those monitoring efforts. Additionally, 56% say they cannot effectively measure critical AI workload metrics, such as large language model (LLM) response quality.

This disconnect presents a serious challenge. Unlike traditional software applications, AI agents can make autonomous decisions, interact with multiple systems, and influence business outcomes in ways that are not always predictable. Without proper visibility, organizations may struggle to identify errors, assess performance, or understand why an AI system behaves unexpectedly.

The Rise of Agent Observability

Observability has traditionally been used to help organizations monitor applications, networks, and IT infrastructure. In the age of AI, observability is evolving into something much broader.

Agent observability focuses on understanding not just whether an AI system is functioning, but how it is making decisions, whether its outputs are accurate, and whether it is delivering business value.

Organizations increasingly recognize the importance of monitoring AI hallucinations and model quality, though many still struggle to do so effectively.

This new discipline requires businesses to move beyond technical metrics and begin tracking behavioral indicators that connect AI actions directly to business outcomes. Such visibility makes it possible to evaluate whether AI agents are contributing to productivity, customer satisfaction, revenue growth, or operational efficiency.

AI's Growing Cost Problem

One of the report's most striking findings concerns the financial impact of AI adoption. The challenge is not simply that AI can be expensive. Rather, organizations are increasingly worried about unpredictable costs and unexpected billing spikes.

More than half of surveyed organizations said they cannot adequately control AI-related expenses. Additionally, 60% reported that surprise billing increases create greater operational strain than consistently high costs.

Key Factors Driving AI Cost Challenges

• AI agents often operate across multiple models and platforms.
• Usage patterns can fluctuate significantly.
• Growing AI deployments generate massive quantities of telemetry and monitoring data.
• Cost attribution becomes difficult when numerous AI services interact simultaneously.

For many enterprises, the volume of monitoring data itself has become a significant expense. In fact, 57% of respondents said telemetry costs exceeded the cost of the infrastructure being monitored.

These findings suggest that managing AI economics may soon become as important as managing AI performance.

Why Observability Matters for Financial Control

The report argues that observability is emerging as a crucial mechanism for financial governance in AI environments.

When organizations have clear visibility into AI activity, they can:

• Understand which agents and workloads are consuming resources.
• Track model usage and efficiency.
• Identify cost anomalies before they escalate.
• Align AI spending with measurable business outcomes.
• Make more informed investment decisions.

Observability effectively transforms AI spending from a largely unpredictable expense into a managed business investment. By connecting operational data with financial metrics, leaders gain better control over AI economics and can justify future AI initiatives based on measurable returns.

Security and Observability Are Converging

Another major theme emerging from the research is the growing relationship between observability and cybersecurity.

As AI agents gain access to business systems, applications, and data sources, the distinction between performance monitoring and security oversight becomes increasingly blurred.

Organizations must not only ensure that agents function correctly but also verify that they have not been compromised and are operating within approved boundaries.

The study found that 81% of respondents believe monitoring AI workloads has increased collaboration between observability and security teams. It also revealed rising levels of data sharing and joint troubleshooting between these functions.

This collaboration reflects a broader industry shift. AI costsTheir monitoring frameworks provide a comprehensive picture of AI operations.

3. They Connect Data to Business Impact

Leaders treat telemetry and observability insights as strategic planning tools rather than purely technical resources. Monitoring data helps guide investment decisions and business strategy.

The benefits are substantial:

• More accurate AI cost attribution.
• Stronger returns on observability investments.
• Greater measurable business value.
• Improved collaboration between observability and security teams.
• Faster identification of performance and security issues.

Global Trends Highlight Different Priorities

The research examined organizations across Australia, France, Germany, India, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

While concerns around AI monitoring and cost predictability were common across all regions, some countries demonstrated unique strengths.

• India stood out for advanced AI monitoring capabilities and stronger effectiveness in tracking AI model quality.
• United Kingdom organizations showed high levels of AI agent adoption alongside significant concern about unintended AI consequences.
• Saudi Arabia demonstrated particularly strong optimism regarding AI-driven innovation.
• Germany placed a high priority on AI privacy visibility.

These regional differences suggest that while AI adoption is a global phenomenon, the challenges and priorities associated with observability vary according to local business environments and regulatory expectations.

The Future: Trust Through Visibility

The rapid rise of AI agents is creating both extraordinary opportunities and significant operational challenges.

Organizations are no longer focused solely on deploying AI. Increasingly, they are asking whether AI systems can be trusted, measured, governed, and controlled.

The findings point to a clear conclusion: as AI systems become more autonomous, observability will become a foundational business capability rather than a purely technical/> In the coming years, the companies that succeed with AI may not be those that deploy the most agents, but those that can understand, monitor, and govern them most effectively. Observability appears set to become the key discipline that turns AI from an unpredictable experiment into a reliable and accountable business asset.

TÜV SÜD, Accenture and NVIDIA Unite to Fast‑Track AI Robot Safety Certification in Factories and Warehouses

TÜV SÜD and Accenture have unveiled their new “Physical AI Safety Suite” at NVIDIA GTC Berlin 2026, a framework designed to accelerate certification of autonomous robots and AI-driven systems in factories and warehouses. The suite uses digital twins, AI agents, and simulations to reduce certification timelines by up to 30%, helping manufacturers deploy automation faster and more safely.

Established industry standards form the foundation for ensuring that automated facilities are both safely designed and reliably operated. A key example is ISO 3691‑4, which outlines safety requirements for driverless industrial trucks and systems, including Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). In many industrialized nations, certification against such standards is mandatory before companies can commission automated facilities or deploy new physical AI systems. Even in regions where certification is voluntary, adherence to recognized industry standards remains best practice.

However, navigating this complex landscape of overlapping standards often slows the adoption of physical AI‑enabled automation. At a mid‑sized production plant, the iterative process of coordinating, validating, and gaining approval for safety concepts can extend over several weeks, delaying deployment timelines.

At NVIDIA GTC Berlin, TÜV SÜD introduced the Physical AI Safety Suite, a system that uses digital twins and AI simulations to replace parts of the manual safety checks for factories and equipment. This digital approach can bring production online up to 30% faster. By reducing the need for physical site visits and installed equipment, companies can spot safety and certification issues earlier, avoiding expensive fixes later in operation.

Key Highlights

• Launch Event: Presented at NVIDIA GTC Berlin 2026
• Collaborators: TÜV SÜD and Accenture
• Core Technology: Digital twins, AI agents, and simulation testing
• Target Use Cases: Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), driverless industrial trucks, warehouse automation
• Productivity Impact: 30% faster commissioning of automated facilities
• Standards Basis: Built on ISO 3691-4 safety standards

How the “Physical AI Safety Suite” Works

Using digital twins, AI agents and simulations, TÜV SÜD and Accenture’s Physical AI Safety Suite is designed to speed up the automation of factories and warehouses. (Image - Accenture.com)

• Digital Certification: Automates manual inspection and certification package creation
• Safety Scenarios: Simulates risk scenarios beyond physical testing
• Early Compliance: Validates safety concepts earlier in design cycle
• Continuous Monitoring: Supports ongoing compliance during operations

Benefits for Manufacturers

Benefit	Details
Faster Certification	Cuts commissioning timelines by ~30%
Improved Safety	Simulates scenarios beyond real-world testing limits
Cost Efficiency	Reduces rework and delays in automation rollout
Scalability	Supports deployment across diverse environments

Risks & Challenges

• Complex Standards Navigation: Certification requires compliance with multiple overlapping standards
• Integration Costs: Simulation infrastructure may be expensive for smaller manufacturers
• Human-Robot Interaction Risks: Real-world unpredictability remains a challenge
• Regulatory Variability: Certification requirements differ across countries

Context for India & Global Manufacturing

For manufacturers in India and Asia: TÜV SÜD and Accenture’s framework could help reduce bottlenecks in certifying AMRs and AI-driven logistics systems. This is particularly relevant for semiconductor fabs, automotive plants, and large-scale warehouses in Gurugram and Bengaluru, where AI-enabled automation is expanding rapidly.

Kotak Mahindra Bank Q2FY27 Profit Surges 29% YoY to ₹4,212 Cr; Consolidated PAT at ₹5,645 Cr

Kotak Mahindra Bank Standalone PAT for Q2FY27 at ₹ 4,212 crore, up 29% YoY and 2% QoQ

Consolidated PAT for Q2FY27 at ₹ 5,645 crore, up 26% YoY and 3% QoQ

The Board of Directors of Kotak Mahindra Bank (“the Bank”) approved the unaudited standalone and consolidated results for the quarter and half-year ended September 30, 2026, at the Board meeting held in Mumbai, today.

Kotak Mahindra Bank standalone results

• FCNR(B) deposits mobilised: ~₹ 55,344 crore; loans provided ~₹ 16,110 crore through international branches.
• PAT: ₹ 4,212 crore, up 29% YoY from ₹ 3,253 crore, and 2% QoQ from ₹ 4,123 crore.
• Net Interest Income (NII): ₹ 8,459 crore, up 16% YoY and 7% QoQ.
• Net Interest Margin (NIM): 4.31% vs 4.54% YoY; moderation due to FCNR(B) mobilisation.
• Cost of funds: 4.52% vs 4.70% YoY.
• Fees & services: ₹ 2,926 crore, up 21% YoY and 17% QoQ.
• Operating expenses: ₹ 5,271 crore, up 14% YoY. Cost to assets improved to 2.40%.
• Operating profit: ₹ 6,382 crore, up 21% YoY.
• Provisions: ₹ 803 crore, down 15% YoY. Credit cost annualised at 0.35%.
• Net Advances: ₹ 577,295 crore, up 25% YoY.
• Customer Assets: ₹ 626,801 crore, up 23% YoY.
• Deposits: ₹ 651,491 crore, up 23% YoY. CASA ratio at 38.2% (41.8% excluding FCNR(B)).
• Credit to Deposit ratio: 88.6%.
• Slippages: ₹ 1,230 crore, down 24% YoY. GNPA at 1.04%, NNPA at 0.24%.
• ROA: 1.92% annualised. ROE: 11.65% annualised.
• Capital Adequacy Ratio: 21.9%; CET1 ratio 21.4%.
• Customers: 5.1 crore.

Consolidated results at a glance

Consolidated PAT: ₹ 5,645 crore, up 26% YoY and 3% QoQ.

PAT of Bank and key subsidiaries:

PAT (₹ crore)	Q2FY27	Q2FY26	Q1FY27
Kotak Mahindra Bank	4,212	3,253	4,123
Kotak Securities	348	345	533
Kotak Asset Management & Trustee Company	287	258	399
Kotak Mahindra Prime	251	246	354
Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance	198	49	336
Kotak Mahindra Investments	135	120	113
Kotak Alternate Asset Managers	87	104	126
Kotak Mahindra Capital	80	60	89

• Consolidated Customer Assets: ₹ 699,250 crore, up 21% YoY.
• Customer Assets Under Management: ₹ 814,118 crore, up 8% YoY. Domestic MF AUM at ₹ 615,679 crore, up 10% YoY.
• Networth: ₹ 194,706 crore. Book Value per Share ₹ 196, up 16% YoY.
• ROA: 2.10% annualised. ROE: 11.70% annualised.
• Capital Adequacy Ratio: 22.4%; CET1 ratio 22.1%.
• Liquidity Coverage Ratio: 137.4%.

About Kotak Mahindra Group

Established in 1985, Kotak Mahindra Group is one of India's leading financial services conglomerates. In February 2003, Kotak Mahindra Finance Ltd. received banking license from RBI, becoming the first NBFC in India to convert into a bank.

The Group offers services across commercial banking, stock broking, mutual funds, insurance, and investment banking. It has global presence in UK, USA, Gulf Region, Singapore, and Mauritius. As of September 30, 2026, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd has 2,327 branches and 2,673 ATMs.
For more information, visit: https://www.kotak.com

Blinkit Faces Maharashtra FDA Action as 18,405 Expired Food Items Are Detected

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licence of Blinkit’s Bhiwandi facility after inspectors allegedly found major lapses in the handling and disposal of expired, damaged and rejected food products. The action follows an inspection that uncovered 18,405 food items worth more than ₹32.71 lakh for which the company could not provide adequate traceability records or proof of destruction.

What Triggered the FDA Action?

According to Maharashtra FDA officials, an inspection conducted on 21 October at Blinkit's warehouse facility in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, revealed that the company was unable to provide end-to-end traceability and documentation showing the disposal of approximately 18,405 expired, damaged or rejected food products valued at more than ₹32.71 lakh.

Regulators stated that the absence of proper records raised concerns about whether the inventory had been safely destroyed as required under food safety regulations. As a result, the FDA ordered the immediate suspension of licensed food operations at the premises.

Public Health Concerns at the Centre

The FDA said its primary concern was the possibility that food items classified as unsaleable could potentially re-enter the consumer market. Officials argued that expired or damaged products pose a direct risk to public health if they are diverted back into commercial channels instead of being scientifically destroyed.

The regulator described the situation as a serious compliance failure because businesses handling food products are required to maintain complete records regarding the storage, movement and destruction of non-saleable inventory.

FIR Filed Against Executives and Vendors

The matter has gone beyond regulatory action and entered the criminal investigation stage.

Following the licence suspension, the Maharashtra FDA registered an FIR at Bhiwandi Taluka Police Station against key Blinkit personnel, including a whole-time director, facility managers and several scrap-disposal vendors.

The accused have reportedly been booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including sections related to cheating and criminal conspiracy, along with Section 59(i) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Authorities have alleged a conspiracy involving the possible resale of expired food products for financial gain. These allegations remain under investigation, and the filing of an FIR does not establish guilt.

Why Bhiwandi Matters

The development is significant because Bhiwandi is one of India's largest warehousing and logistics hubs, serving e-commerce companies, retailers and quick-commerce platforms. The region houses large fulfilment centres that support rapid delivery operations across Mumbai and neighbouring markets.

Any disruption in operations at a major warehouse can have implications for inventory management and supply-chain processes, particularly in the fast-growing quick-commerce industry where speed and inventory turnover are critical.

Part of a Wider FDA Crackdown

The action against Blinkit appears to be part of a broader enforcement drive by the Maharashtra FDA under Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. The regulator has recently intensified inspections of warehouses, dark stores and waste-disposal networks amid concerns that expired or rejected food products may be finding their way back into retail channels.

Authorities have conducted multiple raids targeting suspected diversion networks and have reportedly booked several individuals connected to food companies, disposal agencies and local traders in related investigations.

A Fresh Setback for Blinkit

The latest suspension comes just months after another FDA action involving a Blinkit facility in Mumbai's Malad area, where inspectors reported hygiene and food-safety violations, including the presence of expired products and poor storage conditions.

While the Bhiwandi case centres on inventory traceability and disposal records rather than hygiene issues, both incidents underscore increasing regulatory scrutiny of quick-commerce operators that handle large volumes of food products.

Industry-Wide Implications

The Maharashtra FDA's action signals a tougher regulatory stance toward food inventory management across the e-commerce and quick-commerce ecosystem. The case highlights the growing importance of:

• Maintaining complete traceability of food products.
• Proper destruction of expired and damaged inventory.
• Robust record-keeping and compliance systems.
• Preventing unsaleable food stock from re-entering the market.
• Strengthening oversight of third-party disposal vendors.

As investigations continue, regulators are expected to closely monitor how food businesses manage expired inventory and comply with food safety norms.

Conclusion

The suspension of Blinkit's Bhiwandi food licence marks one of the most significant enforcement actions taken by the Maharashtra FDA against a quick-commerce operator in recent months. With 18,405 food items worth ₹32.71 lakh at the centre of the case, and an FIR now lodged against company personnel and vendors, the investigation could become a defining test of inventory traceability and food-safety compliance standards within India's rapidly expanding quick-commerce sector.