TikTok May Introduce Money Transfers Through Private Chats

ISLAMABAD: TikTok may be preparing a new feature that would allow users to send money directly to one another through private messages, potentially expanding the platform beyond video sharing and online shopping.

According to media reports, the feature could use TikTok Pay, the company’s payment service currently linked to TikTok Shop transactions in parts of Southeast Asia.

References to the proposed payment system have reportedly been found in the hidden code of a new TikTok version for iPhones in the US. The code suggests users could send money within chats, while recipients could accept payments through a “tap to accept” option. Users may also be able to include messages along with money transfers.

If introduced, the feature could work similarly to peer-to-peer payment services such as Venmo and Zelle, allowing users to transfer money without leaving the TikTok app.

However, TikTok has not officially announced the feature. Bloomberg reported that the company said it had not tested the money-transfer service and did not provide details about when, or whether, it could be launched.

TikTok has increasingly explored opportunities in financial services. The company was reportedly seeking approval in Brazil to offer lending and payment services as a fintech firm.

If implemented, the new feature could significantly expand TikTok’s role in digital payments and bring it closer to financial technology platforms. It would also reflect a wider trend among social media companies to integrate financial services into their apps, with platforms such as X also developing similar payment capabilities.