WhatsApp May Expand Online Payments to More Countries
WhatsApp appears to be working on an expanded Payments section for iPhone users, potentially paving the way for its payment services to reach more countries.
The feature was spotted in WhatsApp beta for iOS version 26.33.10.70. It is still under development and has not yet been made available to beta testers.
WhatsApp has not officially confirmed plans to expand its payment services internationally. However, details found in the latest update suggest the company may be preparing its payment infrastructure for additional markets.
Send Money Directly to WhatsApp Contacts
The upcoming Payments section is expected to include several options for managing transactions.
One feature would allow users to select a WhatsApp contact, enter an amount and send money directly through the app.
Users may also be able to save credit and debit card details for future transactions. The setup process includes information such as the card’s expiry date, CVV and billing address.
Another section appears to be designed for storing delivery information, including an email address, phone number and shipping address.
WhatsApp is also reportedly developing options that would allow users to download or remove their stored payment information.
More Countries Listed in Payment Settings
A notable detail in the new interface is the country selection list for billing information.
The list reportedly includes countries such as Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Ghana, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the United States.
However, the appearance of these countries in the settings does not confirm that WhatsApp Payments will launch in all of them.
Instead, it may indicate that WhatsApp is developing a payment system capable of handling information from users in a wider range of markets.
WhatsApp already provides payment-related services in countries including India, Brazil, Singapore and Mexico, where it works with local payment systems and partners. India uses UPI, while Brazil’s service supports PIX.
Any expansion into new countries would require WhatsApp to meet local financial regulations and establish the necessary payment infrastructure.
WhatsApp Continues to Develop Fintech Features
The development comes after Kunal Shah, founder of Indian fintech company CRED, became WhatsApp’s new head. He replaced Will Cathcart, who had led the messaging platform for several years.
Shah’s background in financial technology and payment services has drawn attention to WhatsApp’s latest payment-related development. However, there is currently no official indication that his appointment is directly linked to the new feature.
For now, the redesigned Payments section remains under development. WhatsApp has not announced an official launch date, confirmed the supported countries or said when the feature could become available to the wider user base.
