TikTok explores peer-to-peer payments via DMs, report says

“TikTok is reportedly prototyping a peer‑to‑peer (P2P) payment feature that would let U.S. users send money directly through direct messages, leveraging its existing TikTok Pay infrastructure used for TikTok Shop in Southeast Asia. The hidden code in the U.S. iPhone app suggests a "tap to accept" flow and the ability to attach a note, mirroring Venmo’s experience. While TikTok says the feature is not yet being tested, the move signals the platform’s ambition to deepen its financial services footprint in the United States, a market where digital wallets and social payments are rapidly expanding. Expert Analysis: Introducing P2P payments could transform TikTok from a content platform into a multi‑service ecosystem, increasing user stickiness and opening new revenue streams from transaction fees. However, regulatory scrutiny and competition from entrenched players like Venmo, Zelle, and emerging services such as X Money will shape how quickly TikTok can capture market share.”