TikTok is exploring a peer-to-peer payment feature that could allow users to send money directly through private messages. The proposed system would use TikTok Pay. It already offers the payment service in Southeast Asia for purchases made through TikTok Shop. The feature could push TikTok further beyond social networking and into digital payments. It would also bring the platform into closer competition with services such as Venmo, Zelle and X Money. Hidden Code Reveals TikTok Payment Feature References to the payment feature appeared in hidden code inside the current version of TikTok’s U.S. iPhone app. The code indicates that users could send money through direct messages. Recipients would then be able to “tap to accept” the payment. Senders could also attach a message to a transaction, creating an experience similar to Venmo. Read More: TikTok Live Streamers Are Damaging Our Children, Hina Parvez Butt However, users should not expect the feature immediately. It is not currently testing the payment system. That indicates the product remains at an early development stage. The company has not announced a launch date or confirmed whether it will eventually release the feature widely. TikTok Pushes Further Into Financial Services Peer-to-peer payments would add another financial tool to TikTok’s expanding ecosystem. The company has already taken steps toward entering regulated financial services in other markets. Reuters reported in March that TikTok had applied for two financial licences from Brazil’s central bank. TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, controls the platform. One licence would allow TikTok to operate as an electronic money issuer. That could let users hold balances, receive funds and make payments inside the app. Read More: UK TikTok Star’s Dubai Murder Case Sparks Global Attention The second would allow the company to operate as a direct credit company. Under that model, TikTok could lend its own money or connect borrowers with lenders. ByteDance already operates Douyin Pay in China through Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. The company launched that service in 2021 to support e-commerce. TikTok has also expanded its main platform beyond short videos. It now offers search, TikTok Shop, games, local discovery tools and hotel booking features. TikTok Could Challenge X Money, Venmo and Zelle TikTok’s payment ambitions come as other social platforms also move deeper into financial services. X recently started rolling out X Money to select users in the United States. The service allows users to send money directly to other people on X without fees or transfer limits. X Money also offers features including direct deposit, a Visa debit card and interest on eligible balances. If TikTok eventually launches payments through DMs, the company could combine social interaction, online shopping and money transfers inside one platform. For now, however, TikTok has only confirmed that it is not testing the feature. Its eventual launch, availability and supported markets remain unclear.