Messaging service WhatsApp is reportedly engaged in initial talks with several digital payments firms and a state-owned bank to launch digital payment services in Indonesia. 

According to a Reuters report, Facebook-owned WhatsApp is in negotiations with transportation booking service Go-Jek, mobile payments provider DANA, fintech start-up OVO and state-owned Bank Mandiri.

As Southeast Asia’s largest economy, Indonesia is home to 260 million people, and is one of WhatsApp’s top five markets, with more than 100 million users.

The plan for Indonesia is to support payments via digital wallets in the region. A Facebook spokesperson stated that WhatsApp was negotiating with financial partners in Indonesia, but didn’t offer any specific information: “WhatsApp is in conversations with financial partners in Indonesia about payments, however the discussions are in early stages and we do not have anything further to share at this stage.”

Indonesia’s e-commerce industry is set to triple to $100 billion by 2025, as per certain estimates, but also has some of the region’s most stringent digital payments regulations.

However, according to a Coin Telegraph report, Facebook’s deal with the three payments firms will be finalised shortly. The launch is not scheduled until next year as WhatsApp is seeking to launch in India at the same time, if not before.

The Reuters report continues that Facebook is still awaiting regulatory approval from India before the firm can introduce WhatsApp-based payments. 
As earlier reported by Coin Telegraph, Facebook plans to integrate its crypto wallet service, Calibra, into WhatsApp and all of the company’s platforms.

Although Calibra would host the social media giant’s planned stablecoin, Libra, Calibra will not be available in India or any other countries with a crypto ban.
According to a Calibra spokesperson back in April: “The libra blockchain will be global, but it will be up to custodial wallet providers to determine where they will and will not operate. Calibra won’t be available in U.S.-sanctioned countries or countries that ban cryptocurrencies.”