WhatsApp’s CEO Chris Daniels has written to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), seeking its permission for roll out of its payments service to its entire subscriber base of 200 million users, Business Standard has reported.

"I write to request your formal approval to immediately expand WhatsApp's BHIM UPI (Unified Payments Interface) compliant payments product to all users in India, giving us the opportunity to offer a useful and secure service that can improve the lives of Indian people through digital empowerment and financial inclusion,” the WhatsApp CEO’s letter said.

In February 2018, the company had launched its payment service to a select group of users. In August 2018, it was reported that the government had asked WhatsApp to set up a team and launch an office in India before it was granted permission for a public rollout of WhatsApp Pay.

The company spokesperson said that almost 1 million people were testing WhatsApp payments in India and their feedback has been very positive. In November 2018, WhatsApp appointed Abhijit Bose as the head of India operations. He is expected to build a team in the country that would operate out of Gurugram, Haryana.

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Chris Daniels

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