WhatsApp Could Expand Its Payments Service to More Countries
WhatsApp appears to be preparing for a wider expansion of its payment services, with a newly discovered Payments section in the iOS app suggesting that the platform may eventually support users in additional countries.
The feature was spotted in WhatsApp beta for iOS version 26.33.10.70. It is currently still being developed and has not yet been made available to beta testers.
WhatsApp has not officially confirmed plans to launch its payment service in new markets. However, several details found in the latest development indicate that the company may be preparing its payment infrastructure for broader international support.
Users Could Send Money to WhatsApp Contacts
The upcoming Payments section appears to be designed around several payment-related functions.
One of the main options would allow users to select a WhatsApp contact, enter an amount and send money directly through the platform.
The feature also appears to support storing payment cards for future transactions. Users could enter credit or debit card details, including the card’s expiry date and CVV.
The payment setup also requests billing information such as the user’s country, full name, street address, city, state and postal code.
Another section would allow users to save delivery information, including an email address, phone number and shipping address.
WhatsApp is also reportedly working on controls that would allow users to download or delete their stored payment information.
Payment Settings List Several Countries
One of the strongest indications of potential international expansion comes from the country selector included in the billing-address settings.
The interface reportedly includes countries such as the Netherlands, Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Ghana, Italy, Spain and the United States.
The appearance of these countries does not necessarily mean WhatsApp Payments is about to launch in all of them. Instead, it could indicate that the company is developing its payment system to handle information from users in a broader range of markets.
WhatsApp already operates payment services in several countries, although the systems vary according to local regulations and payment infrastructure.
For example, WhatsApp Payments in India is connected to UPI, while Brazil uses the PIX payment system.
If WhatsApp expands into additional markets, it would need to establish suitable local payment partnerships and meet the regulatory requirements of each country.
WhatsApp’s New Leadership Adds Interest
The development comes after Kunal Shah, the founder of Indian fintech company CRED, became WhatsApp’s new head.
Shah succeeded Will Cathcart, who left the leadership position after almost seven years at the messaging platform.
His background in financial technology, particularly his experience with credit cards, payments and other financial products through CRED, makes the timing of WhatsApp’s payment developments noteworthy.
However, there is currently no evidence confirming that the Payments section was introduced because of Shah’s appointment.
No Official Launch Date Yet
For now, the expanded Payments section remains under development and is not available as a public feature.
WhatsApp has yet to announce which additional countries could receive the service, when the feature might launch or whether all users in supported markets will eventually gain access.
The appearance of broader country and payment information options nevertheless suggests that WhatsApp is exploring ways to make its payment infrastructure more internationally adaptable.
