Facebook rolling out WhatsApp payments in Brazil

Payments are a key element of WhatsApp’s long-term plan to offer commerce within the app – and Facebook has been testing and building its payments product for the past two years. — AFP

Facebook Inc’s WhatsApp messenger launched a payments feature in Brazil, the app’s second-biggest market with more than 120 million users.

Payments on WhatsApp will be free for users, whether sending to friends on the service or to pay a business for goods and services. The Facebook unit will charge business owners a fee for purchases and is partnering with Cielo SA, Brazil’s largest payments company, to process payments.