WhatsApp’s entry into the Payments Arena

        WhatsApp has started rolling out its peer-to-peer payments feature for its users in India. Currently it is in a testing phase and is available to a small number of beta app users only. It is looking forward to provide the customers, seamless messaging as well as the ease of real time money transfer, as the feature is based on the Unified Payments Interface system, which is made by National Payments Corporation of India. UPI allows money transfer directly into bank accounts at zero cost, without any hassles of entering bank account numbers, passwords or pins.  The payments war will intensify as WhatsApp will compete with major players in the payments market such as Paytm, PhonePe, BHIM, Google Tez, etc. This comes after the recently launched WhatsApp Business, an app that allows businesses to manage its customers. It is evident that WhatsApp wants to expand its foray into the business world.