TikTok is reportedly developing a new feature that would enable users to send money to one another directly through direct messages. This potential addition would utilise the social media service’s existing TikTok Pay offering, which is currently used for TikTok Shop purchases in Southeast Asia.
According to a report from Bloomberg, references to this feature were discovered in code within the current version of TikTok’s U.S. iPhone app. The code suggests that recipients would be able to “tap to accept” payments, and senders could include messages, similar to services like Venmo.
TikTok has informed Bloomberg that the feature is not currently undergoing testing, indicating it is in the early stages of development. It remains uncertain when, or if, TikTok plans to widely release peer-to-peer payments.
This move follows previous efforts by TikTok to expand into financial services. Earlier this year, Reuters reported that TikTok had applied to Brazil’s central bank for approval to operate as a financial technology company, offering lending and payment services.