TikTok prepares to turn its inbox into a money transfer hub

TikTok is preparing to expand beyond social networking by introducing a direct money-transfer feature that would allow users to send funds to one another through the app's inbox.

Reports by TechCrunch and Bloomberg said the feature was discovered through an analysis of code in a recent version of TikTok's iPhone app released in the United States. If launched, users would be able to transfer money while messaging without switching to a separate payment app.

Under the proposed system, users would be able to send money directly from a wallet within TikTok's inbox. They could also attach a short message or note explaining the purpose of the transfer. Recipients would then be able to claim the money by tapping a designated button in the inbox and transferring the funds to their account.

TikTok plans to build the feature around its existing digital payment infrastructure, which is already used for TikTok Shop transactions in several Southeast Asian markets. Adding person-to-person transfers could significantly broaden the platform's financial services.

TikTok would be entering an increasingly competitive US digital payments market. Services such as Venmo and Zelle already facilitate person-to-person transfers, while social media platform X has also entered the space with its X Money service.

However, the TikTok feature remains under development and is currently being tested. The company has not announced when direct money transfers through the inbox will become available to the general public.