TikTok develops peer-to-peer payment feature for direct messages

Code discovered in the US version of the TikTok iPhone app suggests the platform is developing a peer-to-peer payment feature that would allow users to send money directly through private messages. The functionality appears to be built upon TikTok Pay, a system already utilized for TikTok Shop transactions in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand.

The discovered code includes features such as a ‘tap to accept’ button for recipients, push notifications for transaction status, and the ability for senders to attach notes to payments, mirroring the user experience of services like Venmo.

While the technical indicators suggest development is underway, a TikTok spokesperson stated that the feature is currently in an early stage and is not being tested in any market. This move aligns with broader efforts by parent company ByteDance to expand into financial services, supported by active recruitment for fintech roles and existing infrastructure for digital commerce.