THROWBACK TO TReDS

A transformative year for Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS). TReDS has strengthened its position as a core infrastructure enabling MSME liquidity with major regulatory developments, expanded eligibility norms, and significant adoption across industries.  

Key events, policy decisions, and market outcomes shaped the evolution of TReDS and MSME enterprises. Mandate-driven onboarding of large buyers to milestone financing volumes, the ecosystem witnessed structural changes that directly influenced how MSMEs access working capital. 

1. Strong Regulatory Push: Lower Thresholds & Mandatory Onboarding

One of the most significant developments was the government’s decision to lower the mandatory onboarding turnover threshold from ₹500 crore to ₹250 crore for buyers.

This shift bridges the eligible buyer base, bringing thousands of mid-sized corporations under the TReDS compliance net. Mandatory registration deadlines enhanced participation and stronger invoice acceptance from anchor buyers.

What this means for MSMEs:

• Expanded corporate participation → better invoice acceptance rates
• Increased liquidity supply from financiers
• Shorter receivable cycles and reduced payment uncertainty

2. TReDS Crosses ₹2 Lakh Crore in MSME Financing

TReDS crossed a major milestone when leading exchanges reported ₹2.5 lakh crore in cumulative MSME invoice financing, with over 65,000 MSMEs onboarded.

This reflects not only scalability but also growing trust among suppliers, corporates, and financiers using the platform.

Impact for MSMEs:

• High-volume participation ensures competitive discount rates
• Larger financier pool → better bid diversity
• Strengthened acceptance of TReDS as a mainstream liquidity option

3. Momentum in Monthly Volumes Signals Maturity

Industry data showed that TReDS financing volumes nearly doubled year-on-year, with a 80% annual growth rate in earlier years continuing steadily.

The rapid uptick indicates that TReDS is transitioning from an adoption-encouraged model to a demand-driven one.

4. Government Explores “Second Window” for Small-Ticket Invoices (₹1–10 lakh)

A significant potential reform emerged with the proposal to allow small-ticket invoice discounting on TReDS.

This change aims to include micro enterprises whose transactions are typically too small to find traction on competitive bidding models.

Implications:

• Micro enterprises gain formal liquidity pathways
• Smaller suppliers can avoid informal lending
• Greater inclusion across tier-2 and tier-3 supply chains

5. RBI Pushes Cash-Flow–Based Lending & Digital Tools

An RBI panel strongly endorsed cash-flow–based lending models and recognized digital rails including TReDS as core infrastructure for MSME finance.

With traditional collateral-based lending often inaccessible for small businesses, this regulatory stance validates TReDS as a reliable mechanism for MSME working capital.

6. Rising Recognition of TReDS inclusion in MSMEs 

Independent research highlights that TReDS:

• Reduces payment cycles by 30–40%
• Lowers financing cost due to competitive bidding
• Improves MSME credit history and formalization

This recognition is helping change perceptions, moving MSMEs toward secure, digital, and compliant financing avenues.

7. ERP Integrations & Automation Enhancing Platform Efficiency

Increased availability of ERP integrations and API-based workflows has significantly improved corporate and financier participation.

Automated invoice uploads, digital workflows, and real-time settlements are now becoming standard practice.

For MSMEs, this translates into:

• Faster invoice validation
• Reduced documentation
• Lower interest rate
• Non-Recourse Financing

The Bigger Picture for MSMEs:

• These events signal an ecosystem shift where:
• Liquidity is becoming more accessible
• Digital finance is gaining regulatory reinforcement
• Corporate compliance is moving toward strict timelines
• Smaller MSMEs are finding formal entry points for financing

TReDS is now positioned not just as a liquidity platform, but as a critical component of India’s digitally integrated, compliance-driven financial infrastructure.

The past year marked a decisive turning point for TReDS, one driven by regulatory reforms, technology innovation, stronger ecosystem participation, and expanding MSME adoption. The platform is set to play an even larger role in India’s next phase of MSME-led economic expansion with buyer mandates tightening, digital lending frameworks advancing, and TReDS volumes scaling rapidly.