TikTok code points to peer-to-peer payments in direct messages
TikTok is developing a feature that could allow users to send money to one another through direct messages, Bloomberg reported. References found in code within the current US version of TikTok’s iPhone app indicate that the feature would use TikTok Pay, the company’s existing payment offering for TikTok Shop purchases in Southeast Asia.
The code describes a payment flow in which a recipient can “tap to accept” money. It also suggests that senders could attach messages to transfers, an interaction similar to the way Venmo combines payments with short notes.
An early-stage payments feature
TikTok told Bloomberg that the peer-to-peer function is not being tested. That indicates the capability remains in early development, rather than being prepared for an imminent public rollout. There is no indication of when, or whether, TikTok intends to make person-to-person payments broadly available.
The reported functionality would extend TikTok Pay beyond commerce transactions. The service is already used for purchases through TikTok Shop in Southeast Asia, while the newly identified code points to payments taking place inside conversations between users.
TikTok has been expanding its product set beyond short-form video. Its services now include search, TikTok Shop, a local discovery map, games and hotel bookings. That broader direction is reflected in TikTok’s expansion into payments and bookings, which examines TikTok’s expansion from shopping into payments and bookings as the platform develops more super-app-like functions.
Competition in social payments
If released, direct-message transfers would place TikTok in competition with established payment services including Venmo and Zelle. It would also follow X, formerly Twitter, which recently launched X Money for sending money between users.
TikTok has also explored financial services outside this reported feature. Reuters reported earlier in 2026 that the company had applied to Brazil’s central bank for approval to operate as a financial technology company providing lending and payment services.
What businesses should watch
The code discovery is not confirmation of a product launch, but it shows how TikTok could connect messaging, shopping and payments in a single service. Businesses using TikTok should monitor any formal rollout and assess how an in-app payment option could affect customer journeys, transaction support and platform dependence.