TikTok expands into digital payments and e-commerce integration

TikTok is expanding its digital ecosystem through new commercial and financial features. Code discovered in the iPhone version of the app suggests the company is developing a peer-to-peer payment function, allowing users to send money directly through private messages. While ByteDance confirmed the feature is in an early development stage and not currently being tested in any market, the move signals a push toward becoming a super-app.

Simultaneously, TikTok is strengthening its e-commerce capabilities through a new integration with Mercado Ads. Announced at Cannes Lions, this partnership allows brands to run TikTok advertising campaigns using Mercado Libre’s proprietary purchase data and segmentation. The integration aims to bridge the gap between social media discovery and online sales by providing end-to-end traceability, enabling advertisers to link video views on TikTok to specific consumer actions like brand searches, cart additions, and final purchases on the Mercado Libre marketplace.

These commercial expansions occur amid ongoing scrutiny regarding the platform's social impact. The company continues to face criticism in the United States and Europe concerning the effects of its recommendation algorithm on younger users.