WhatsApp has been seen integrating Novi, a digital wallet that allows users to make payments and send money internationally using the instant messaging service using a bank or credit card. The update has been hinted at in some recent WhatsApp for Android beta releases according to a report published by Indian Express.
Users may also be required to present identification documents for verification by the platform. Despite the fact that WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, has yet to acknowledge the merger, the company has announced intentions to consolidate all of its payments and financial services under the Nova brand, as well as the unveiling of ‘Meta’ as its new business identity.
New lines of code reveal the Novi integration, as per XDA Developers. The text in the code specifically states that customers will be able to transmit money over the world using the digital wallet. WhatsApp users may be asked to upload documents for verification before the new money transfer feature is enabled. Users will also be forced to complete a video selfie as part of the identity verification process.
WABetaInfo, a WhatsApp beta tracker, revealed the Novi integration references in beta version 2.21.22.17 late last month. A screenshot of the new experience was also released online. David Marcus, Head of FinTech Unit at Meta, said last month that the parent firm is integrating its payments and financial services unit and products under the Novi brand, shortly after Facebook introduced its ‘Meta’ rename.
In order to enter the digital remittances industry, Meta launched its Novi digital wallet as a modest test in the United States and Guatemala. It appears, however, that it will expand beyond these two places and, over time, will make Novi available to a large number of WhatsApp users.
