Problem solved: PIX shows the way

Pix is set to introduce instalment payments, which have been popular in Brazil for decades. “Arriving in September, the new 'Pix Parcelado' feature will be available to consumers and merchants. Payees will receive the full amount instantly, payers will have the option to pay in instalments,” says Finextra. “Last month, the central bank added contactless functionality to Pix, enabling shoppers to pay with the system with a tap of their phone. The feature connects the digital wallet with the user's bank account through Open Finance's APIs.” As an ecosystem, Brazil’s Pix has been able to draw in lots of different players. As Marcel Von Oost writes on Linkedin, WhatsApp is now an integral player in Pix. “‘We never wanted to compete with Pix,’ explains Guilherme Horn, WhatsApp’s head for Brazil, India, and Indonesia. ‘We pivoted. We started with credit cards, but once we introduced Pix, adoption was remarkable’. This shift in strategy has positioned WhatsApp as an enabler, not a disruptor, strengthening its ties with banks and fintechs. Today, institutions of all sizes, from traditional banks to digital-first startups, rely on WhatsApp as a core channel for transactions, lending, and debt management. The rise of generative AI is further accelerating this trend, making interactions through text, audio, and voice more seamless than ever. In fact, conversion rates on WhatsApp have been reported to be up to 40 times higher than traditional channels like call centers, email, SMS, or apps.”