It's strange that WhatsApp hasn't launched micropayments, e-commerce and wallets yet. In India PayTM (https://paytm.com/) has kind of won this space. Google has launched Tez (https://tez.google.com/). PayTM and Tez have given lots of cashback deals to people to install and keep the apps on their phones. WhatsApp is already there on everybody's phone.
I have heard WeChat is doing something similar in China for a number of years already. I think WhatsApp is loosing a very good revenue opportunity by not moving quickly in this space. It gives them alternative business model too. Two main properties (FB and Instagram) depend on ads, WhatsApp can bring the revenue from wallets and e-commerce. I think it's better to have a diversified revenue model.
I remember reading somewhere that they were trialing payments in a bid to monetize small businesses that have come to depend on their platform to reach customers.
I believe this was in India or so.
Anyway, they clearly are taking payments and India seriously as they still have some open positions:
I have heard WeChat is doing something similar in China for a number of years already. I think WhatsApp is loosing a very good revenue opportunity by not moving quickly in this space. It gives them alternative business model too. Two main properties (FB and Instagram) depend on ads, WhatsApp can bring the revenue from wallets and e-commerce. I think it's better to have a diversified revenue model.