TikTok Tests Money Transfers via Direct Messages
TikTok has been found to be testing peer-to-peer money transfers via direct messages, with related code appearing in the U.S. iOS app and potentially linking social chats with payments.
What are the key facts?
- 1Exploring peer-to-peer transfers via direct messages
- 2Code from the U.S. iOS app
- 3May connect with TikTok Pay
What happened?
According to foreign media reports, TikTok is exploring a feature for sending money through direct messages. Related application code appeared in the U.S. version of TikTok's iOS app, indicating that the platform may allow users to make peer-to-peer transfers within the chat interface. The feature remains at the code-discovery and testing stage, with no official launch information announced. The report describes it as a Venmo-like direct-message transfer service that could allow users to send money without leaving the chat window.\n\nThe report also said the feature may be connected to the TikTok Pay payment system. TikTok Pay has previously been used in some Southeast Asian markets, and its payment capabilities are viewed as part of the platform's efforts to further connect social interactions, content consumption and commercial transactions. TikTok has not yet announced the feature's official name, applicable markets, user eligibility, transfer limits or specific launch date.
What does this mean for cross-border sellers?
If TikTok links direct messaging with payments, the path from social interaction to transaction will become shorter, but sellers should not treat a test feature as an available conversion tool. Highest-priority action: continue improving TikTok Shop product pages and direct-message scripts this week, while monitoring payment-function announcements in target markets and avoiding premature changes to payment collection processes.