TikTok is exploring a new feature that could allow users to send money directly to one another through private messages, as the social media giant looks to expand further into financial services.
The potential peer-to-peer payment feature was discovered in hidden code within TikTok’s US iPhone app, according to a Bloomberg report. If launched, the service would use TikTok Pay, the company’s existing payment system.
The feature could allow users to send money within a conversation, with recipients reportedly able to tap to accept payments. Users could also attach messages to transactions, making the experience similar to payment platforms such as Venmo.
However, TikTok has stressed that the feature is still at an early stage. A company spokesperson said it is not currently being tested in any market, meaning there is no confirmed launch date or guarantee that the feature will eventually become available to users.
TikTok Pay is already being used in parts of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, where it supports payments for purchases made through TikTok Shop. Expanding it into person-to-person transfers would represent a significant step beyond e-commerce and deeper into everyday financial transactions.
The move would also put TikTok in competition with established peer-to-peer payment services such as Venmo, Cash App and Zelle. Unlike traditional payment apps, however, TikTok already has a huge social ecosystem where users communicate, discover products, interact with creators and make purchases.
That combination could make payments a natural extension of the platform’s broader strategy. Instead of leaving TikTok to complete a transaction elsewhere, users could potentially send money while chatting with friends, interacting with creators or engaging with businesses.
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