Whatsapp payment service is currently under beta testing mode. As per the reports, this payment services by the instant messaging app will be live in India by the end of May. The Payment service app has done a partnership with three private banks, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank. And the public sector State Bank Of India will join the app later.
WhatsApp Pay to Launch in India by May-End With 3 Banks on Board
Earlier, it was reported that the NPCI ( National Payments Corporation of India) had permitted Whatsapp to start the payment services in India in a phased manner. As per the reports from the two bankers who are aware of the next move by Whatsapp says, Whatsapp Pay will roll out in India by the end of May. Whatsapp has collaborated with three banks ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and HDFC Bank.
A Whatsapp spokesperson said,
“We are continuing to work with the government so that we can provide access to payments on WhatsApp to all of our users. Payments on WhatsApp will help accelerate digital payments and this is particularly important during COVID-19 as it is a safer way to transact for our 400 million users in India.”
Further, he added,
“Currently, both SBI and WhatsApp Pay are working closely through the integration testing phase. We are given to understand that there are some outstanding observations of CERT-In Audit report submitted by WhatsApp Pay for which they seem to have sought time till May 31, 2020, to comply with us fully.”
Two years ago, in 2018, Whatsapp first announced that it would roll out Whatsapp Payment service for one million users in India. At that time, the launch did not happen because they did not get approval by NPCI.