WhatsApp Develops In-App Payment Feature for iPhone Users with Global Expansion Plans

WhatsApp is developing a dedicated payments section for its iPhone app that will enable users to send money directly to contacts and manage credit cards within chats. The new interface, revealed through a beta version analysis by WABetaInfo, includes three main parts: instant money transfers to contacts, storage of credit card details with billing addresses, and saving shipping information with options to delete all financial data.

Currently, WhatsApp's payment service operates in a limited number of countries such as India, Brazil, Singapore, and Mexico, where it integrates with local banking systems. However, the new beta version includes billing address options for additional countries including the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain, the US, Canada, and Australia, signaling Meta's intent to expand the service globally.

This development coincides with the recent appointment of Kunal Shah, founder of Indian fintech giant CRED, as WhatsApp's CEO. Shah's expertise in digital payments and credit cards suggests Meta aims to make financial services a key growth driver on the platform. Despite the progress, the feature remains in early stages and is not yet available even to beta testers. Regulatory approvals and partnerships with local financial institutions will be required for each new market, a process expected to take considerable time.

If launched in Israel, WhatsApp's payment feature could compete directly with existing apps like Bit and PayBox, offering users the convenience of transferring money directly within their daily chat interface.