Facebook-owned messaging service, WhatsApp, is supposedly in preliminary talks with multiple digital payments corporations as well as a state-owned bank to launch digital payment services in Indonesia.

Reuters reported that they'd learned of this development from anonymous sources on August. 20. Per the report, WhatsApp is presently negotiating with transportation booking service Go-Jek, mobile payments provider Dana, fintech startup OVO and state-owned Bank Mandiri. Bank Mindri operates a digital wallet service, per the report.

WhatsApp’s plan for Indonesia is to support payments through digital wallets within the region, per Reuters’ sources. The report additional speculates that Facebook’s dealings in Indonesia may become a template that they later use to dodge local rules, concerning bans on foreign digital wallets.

A Facebook interpreter confirmed that WhatsApp was negotiating with monetary partners Indonesia, however declined to supply specifics:

“WhatsApp is in conversations with monetary partners in Indonesia regarding payments, but the discussions are in early stages and that we don't have anything further information to share at this stage.”

However, the sources reportedly stated that Facebook’s deal with the 3 payments corporations are finalized imminently. The launch of those services is, however, not expected until 2020, since WhatsApp is trying to launch in India at the same time or sooner, per the sources. Per the report, Facebook remains to wait on regulative approval from India before they will launch WhatsApp-based payments.

Libra in WeChat

As antecedently reported by Top Market Group, Facebook intends to integrate its crypto wallet service, Calibra, into WhatsApp and every one of its platforms. Calibra would host Facebook’s planned stablecoin, Libra. However, Calibra won't be available in India, or any countries with a ban on cryptocurrency. A Calibra interpreter commented on this in April, saying:

“The libra blockchain is international, however, it'll be up to custodial wallet providers to work out where they'll and will not operate. Calibra won’t be accessible in U.S.-sanctioned countries or countries that ban cryptocurrencies.”

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