WhatsApp is reportedly gearing up to introduce international payments through its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) service, catering specifically to Indian users.
This move comes as part of WhatsApp’s efforts to enhance its in-app financial services, with the aim of broadening its user base.
WhatsApp Pay
Initially launched in November 2020, WhatsApp Pay made its debut in India, marking a delayed entry compared to other players in the payments sector.
Despite its late arrival, WhatsApp Pay has been gradually gaining traction among users.
What to Expect from the New Feature
According to information shared by tipster @AssembleDebug, WhatsApp is working on integrating international payments via UPI.
While this feature is not yet available to users, it is reportedly in the development phase.
In screenshots shared by the tipster, a new option labeled “International Payments” can be seen in the payment menu within the app.
This feature allows users to set a start and end date for international payments, which can be activated by entering the UPI PIN.
Understanding International Payments
WhatsApp’s international payments feature will enable users with Indian bank accounts to conduct transactions at select international merchants.
However, this functionality will be available only in countries where banks support international UPI services.
Activation Period and Comparison with Competitors
Interestingly, the activation period for international payments in WhatsApp may span up to three months,
providing users with ample time to utilize this service.
In contrast, competitors like Google Pay offer a transaction period of 7 days.
Notably, other players in the UPI sector, such as Google Pay and PhonePe, already offer similar international payment services.
