Meta Platforms launched a payments tool in WhatsApp designed for SMEs in Brazil, with plans in future to roll out the feature in other markets.
In a statement, Meta said the feature enables people and enterprises to buy and sell through the messenger platform and cut out the need to visit websites.
The feature is available now for businesses in Brazil with plans to roll it out to more countries “in the coming months”.
Through the app, users can search for businesses, browse goods and services and add them to a cart, and make a payment in a few steps.
The service is linked with MasterCard and Visa debit cards, credit and prepaid cards issued by participating banks such as Caixa and Banco do Brasil, to name a few.
The announcement from Meta comes after Brazil’s central bank approved the tool for launch last month, ending three years of regulatory hurdles.