UAE-headquartered consumer technology firm Astra Tech has announced a significant strategic move, rebranding its fintech platform PayBy to ‘botim money’. This consolidation brings all of the company’s financial services under the single, widely recognized botim brand, marking a pivotal step in its mission to simplify financial access and enhance user experience for millions across the region.
From VoIP to Fintech Powerhouse
Originally launched as the UAE’s first free Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calling application, botim has evolved into a comprehensive super app with a global user base exceeding 150 million. The platform is now a key player in embedded finance, actively supporting the UAE’s national push toward a cashless economy in line with the Dubai Cashless Strategy 2026 and the Central Bank of the UAE’s financial inclusion policies. The rebrand leverages the immense trust and connectivity built through its communication services to empower users financially.
“botim money is more than just a new brand name or mere product integration, it’s a reflection of our increasing commitment to financial inclusion and innovation at scale, and our way of turning connectivity into access,” stated Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi, board member at Astra Tech and CEO of botim. “We first earned the trust of millions through communication. Now, we are transforming that into financial value. The users we connected are now the users we empower.”
A Unified Financial Services Platform
Retaining its dual authorisation from the Central Bank of the UAE, botim money operates as both a retail payment services provider and a stored value facility. This allows the platform to offer a robust suite of financial products directly within the app. Users can seamlessly perform local and international money transfers, access prepaid cards, utilize lending products like ‘send now, pay later’ (SNPL), and explore investment options, including National Bonds and fractional gold ownership through its recent partnership with O Gold.
Empowering Businesses with B2B Solutions
Beyond its consumer offerings, Astra Tech has also rolled out ‘botim money for Business’. This B2B solution provides a comprehensive payment infrastructure for regional enterprises, enabling services such as secure salary disbursements, Point-of-Sale (POS) systems, and full compliance with the UAE’s Wage Protection System (WPS). The initiative aims to streamline financial operations for businesses of all sizes, contributing to a more efficient digital economy.
About Astra Tech
Astra Tech is a UAE-based consumer technology holding group and the consumer arm of the G42 ecosystem. The company is dedicated to building an “ultra-platform” by consolidating and integrating a range of consumer-focused products and services, including fintech, communications, and e-commerce. Its flagship product, botim, exemplifies how Astra Tech translates G42’s AI expertise from sectors like healthcare and energy into powerful and accessible consumer applications.
Source: Gulf Business
