WhatsApp users in Brazil can now pay small businesses

Goods and services can be paid for using Mastercard and Visa debit, credit and pre-paid cards issued by participating banks, including Banco do Brasil, Nubank and Santander

WhatsApp users in Brazil are now able to pay small businesses within the app.  

The messaging service has rolled out the feature to a small number of businesses and will make it available to more in the coming months. 

Now, users in Brazil can search for a business, browse goods and services, add them to their cart and make a payment.  

Goods and services can be paid for using Mastercard and Visa debit, credit and pre-paid cards issued by participating banks, including Banco do Brasil, Nubank and Santander.  

Small businesses using the WhatsApp business app can link a supported payment partner, such as Cielo, Mercado Pago or Rede, and create an order within the app to accept payments.  

Mark Zuckerberg, founder and chief executive officer of Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, made the announcement on Facebook.  

He said: “People in Brazil will be able to pay local businesses right in a WhatsApp chat. We’ll be rolling this feature out to more businesses in the coming months.” 

In a statement, WhatsApp said: “Card numbers are encrypted and securely stored, and people are required to create a Payment PIN and use it for each payment. 

“We’re excited to hear how this service helps people and small businesses in Brazil connect on WhatsApp, and look forward to bringing it to more types of businesses and countries in the future.” 

Image: © mimagephotography via Canva

Josh Poyser Josh Poyser is an editor at FinTech Intel. He has written about fintech for several years and appeared at FinTech Connect 2023 on the 'Unlocking Success: The Art of Fintech PR' panel.