WhatsApp is expected to make its payment feature live in India next month as per a new report. The new payment feature in WhatsApp will make use of UPI (Unified Payment Interface) and allow users of the messaging platform to easily send money to each other.

At launch, UPI integration is expected to be supported by State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, and Axis Bank.

“The platform is already in beta stage (testing) with one of its partner banks. We expect the product to go live for consumers by the end of February, depending on how the trials work out,” one of the sources said.

The feature is right now in final testing and security checking phase to ensure proper safety of data. With UPI integration, it would become ease for WhatsApp users in India to easily send money to each other. The ease of use will also pose a security risk which is why there are multiple levels of encryption being used throughout the process for optimum security.

Initially, WhatsApp is only expected to support peer-to-peer payments, with merchant support being added at a later date.

WhatsApp is massively popular in India and the addition of UPI integration in the messaging platform will help boost the adoption rate of the payment interface in the country.

WhatsApp had received the necessary approval from the Indian government to integrate UPI into its messaging platform in July last year. Other tech giants like Google have also received clearance from the Indian government and has already released Tez, a UPI-powered payment app. Hike has also launched a way to easily transfer money to contacts on its platforms using UPI and reported 10 million transactions in November through it.