WhatsApp launches a cryptocurrency payments test with Novi

(Pocket-lint) - WhatsApp is trialing a cryptocurrency diagnostic powered by Novi, Meta’s integer wallet that launched arsenic a aviator a mates of months ago.

The chat app is kicking things disconnected with a trial that lets a "limited number" of radical successful the US nonstop and person payments utilizing Pax Dollars (USDP), a US dollar-backed stablecoin issued by Paxos. According to Novi’s website, to nonstop a outgo with WhatsApp, you request to archetypal pat the insubstantial clip icon connected Android oregon the + icon connected iOS, and past prime "Payment" from the paper options.

There are nary fees oregon limits for sending oregon receiving cryptocurrency, and payments are transferred instantly.

There's a caller mode to effort the @Novi integer wallet. Starting today, a constricted fig of radical successful the US volition beryllium capable to nonstop and person wealth utilizing Novi connected @WhatsApp, making sending wealth to household and friends arsenic casual arsenic sending a message.  pic.twitter.com/dGz3lejri7

— Stephane Kasriel (@skasriel) December 8, 2021

Meta's cryptocurrency plans person shifted a batch successful caller years. Originally, it planned to make a cryptocurrency, called Libra, which would beryllium integrated with a Facebook-developed integer wallet called Calibra. Libra aboriginal became Diem, and Calibra became Novi, which launched without Diem. Now, Meta is utilizing Paxos' Pax Dollars and relying connected the Coinbase exchange arsenic a custody partner.

Apparently, Meta is inactive committed to Diem, oregon astatine slightest the company's erstwhile Novi caput claimed arsenic overmuch successful October. David Marcus tweeted: "We mean to motorboat Novi with Diem erstwhile it receives regulatory approval". But Marcus also announced helium is leaving Novi astatine the extremity of the year.

Writing by Maggie Tillman. Originally published connected 9 December 2021.