LATEST: ️ Hidden code in TikTok's US iPhone app reveals the social media platform is exploring peer-to-peer payments over direct messages, per Bloomberg.

What happened

TikTok’s U.S. iPhone app contains hidden code that shows the platform is testing peer‑to‑peer payments that can be sent through its Direct Message feature, according to Bloomberg’s analysis of the app’s binary.

Confirmed

Global impact / market context

Adding money‑transfer tools could turn TikTok into a multi‑service platform, giving it new revenue streams from transaction fees and keeping users inside the app longer, while also positioning it against competitors like Instagram and Snapchat that are also testing payments.

Analyst inference

Social media firms are increasingly adding financial services as digital wallets gain user acceptance; recent launches by Meta’s Novi and Snap’s Pay show a shift toward embedded payments, and regulators are closely watching how data and money intersect.

Analyst inference

What to watch

1. Observe whether TikTok files a patent or files with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for messaging‑based payments, indicating intent to commercialize the feature. Analyst inference
2. Watch TikTok’s partnership announcements with banks or payment processors, which would provide the necessary infrastructure to move money between users and ensure compliance with financial regulations. Analyst inference
3. Track any changes in TikTok’s user engagement metrics after introducing payment features, as higher spend could boost ad revenue and affect the platform’s valuation. Analyst inference

Evidence

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