With X Money’s payment process continuously evolving, TikTok could also be keen to include in-stream payments in its shopping expansion.
According to Bloomberg, TikTok is exploring the potential of expanding its TikTok Pay feature to users in the U.S., which would enable American users to send money to other profiles in the app via DM.
TikTok Pay, currently available in Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand, enables users to make payments directly on the app. Building on this, TikTok also provides TikTok PayLater in certain markets, a feature that enables users to make payments via multiple instalments.
The ability to accept direct payments in the stream might have a clear influence on the amount of in-app purchases, as direct payment will be the immediate option, likely to result in more impulse purchases, especially during live streams.
It’s been one of the main reasons that has been fueling sales activity on the Chinese version of TikTok, known as Douyin. According to Walk the Chat, Douyin now advertises its Douyin Pay as an important in-stream transaction method.
ScienceDirect reports that doubling e-commerce sales via livestreams was achieved to the extent of over 40% of the total e-commerce revenues of Douyin in 2024, emphasizing the importance of allowing payments on the live platforms.
Possibly, TikTok sees potential in TikTok Pay in achieving its commerce goals in the U.S.
There has been a huge spike in the number of purchases made through the app, as according to Momentum Works, a recently released report estimates that the GMV of the in-app purchase will be roughly $50 billion for the first half of 2026, which is a 92% rise year-over-year. Out of this, the contribution of the U.S. market is expected to be $11.8 billion, which is over 100% increase compared to last year.
Considering all these facts, it is clear why TikTok wants to facilitate payments within the app, especially when it already has an infrastructure for that in some other markets.
This likely will require TikTok’s U.S. business to secure money transmitter licenses in U.S. states as well.
