TikTok may broaden its payment service by adding money transfers to private conversations, Bloomberg reported.
The proposed transactions would reportedly be processed through TikTok Pay.
The service is currently limited to Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, where customers use it for TikTok Shop purchases.
TikTok has not begun trialling the feature in any country, according to a company spokesperson cited by Bloomberg.
The project remains at an early stage and may not be released.
References found in the latest US version of TikTok’s iPhone app suggest users could claim incoming funds within a set period and receive updates as a transaction progresses. They could also add a note to each payment.
TikTok already processes purchases through its shopping platform and sells virtual coins that viewers can use to reward creators and livestream hosts. Eligible recipients can convert these gifts into cash.
Some users currently place details for third-party payment services in their profiles.
Handling personal transfers within TikTok could reduce the need to move to another platform.
Bloomberg reported that TikTok and parent company ByteDance are also hiring for financial services positions in the US and other countries.
However, the code does not reveal whether the transfer function will proceed or where it might eventually be introduced.
