WhatsApp users will soon be able to send and receive money within chats using cryptocurrency. The messaging app is piloting the new payments feature with selected users in the United States. The feature was already rolled out to limited users six weeks ago.To bring the payments feature to the users in the US, WhatsApp has collaborated with Novi, a digital wallet app. Users will be able to make payments using Pax Dollars (USDP), which is a US-dollar pegged cryptocurrency developed by Paxos Trust Money.

Novi CEO Stephane Kraisel tweeted saying that using the new Novi payments feature on WhatsApp, users in the United States will be able to send and receive money instantly and securely within the chats. “ There’s a new way to try the digital wallet. Starting today, a limited number of people in the US will be able to send and receive money using Novi on WhatsApp, making sending money to family and friends as easy as sending a message,”Kraisel tweeted.

Kraisel revealed that Novi was piloted six weeks ago. The company was able to determine which feature was more important for the users. “We’re still very early in the Novi pilot journey, so we made the decision to test this new entry point in one country to start and will look to extend it once we’ve heard from people what they think of this new experience,” he said. Kraisel also ensured that using Novi on Whatsapp would not impact their privacy settings as the chats would remain end-to-end encrypted.

Here is how you can send money using Novi payments services on WhatsApp.
— On WhatsApp, open the chat of a contact you want to send money to
— Tap on the attach icon in the dialogue box if you are an Android user.
— If you are an Iphone user, tap on the plus icon in the chat box.
— Tap on the Payments option
— Once you select the payment option, add the amount you want to send

Novi notes that WhatsApp will not charge you any money for the transactions. There is also no limit to how frequently you can send money. WhatsApp Payments is currently available in markets including India and Brazil. The US has become the third country to get the payments feature. US users can also send money in crypto. That feature is not available in Brazil and India yet.