- WhatsApp plans international payments via UPI for Indian users.
- Feature allows fund transfer to select international merchants.
- Activation duration up to three months; feature streamlines transactions.
WhatsApp, owned by Meta, is reportedly developing a new feature that will enable Indian users to make international payments through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) within the app. AssembleDebug, a trusted tipster, disclosed this development on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
The upcoming ‘International Payments’ feature will empower users with Indian bank accounts to transfer funds to select international merchants and execute transactions. However, this functionality will be limited to countries where banks support international UPI services. Notably, users will need to manually activate the feature, with options to specify the duration of its activation, extending up to three months according to AssembleDebug.
While Google Pay and PhonePe already offer similar services, WhatsApp’s integration of this feature is expected to streamline international transactions for its users. Initially introduced in November 2020, in-app UPI payments for Indian users marked WhatsApp’s foray into digital payments. The international payment feature is currently in development and is anticipated to be accessible to a limited number of beta users soon. Additional details regarding its launch are expected to be revealed as the release date approaches.
WhatsApp is actively enhancing its position in India’s digital payments landscape, with ongoing testing of features aimed at improving user experience. Among these tests is the placement of a shortcut to the QR code scanner within the app, making payments quicker and more convenient for users. As WhatsApp continues to innovate in this space, users can expect more seamless and efficient payment experiences in the near future.
