Luxembourg-based messaging app Rakuten Viber has tapped fintech Rapyd to launch in-app payment transactions to the Viber app. The partnership enables Rakuten Viber to expand into digital payments.

With functionality supported by Rapyd, Viber users will be able to store money in a mobile wallet with an IBAN, available in the Viber app which will allow them to send and receive money instantly, with no fees. First opening the service with EUR, Viber will later expand to include multiple currencies and additional services. Payments in Viber will initially begin in Greece and Germany and will roll out to more countries in the near future.

Over 70% of smartphone users globally are expected to use peer-to-peer mobile payments by the year 2026, as per the press release. As a result of this integration with Rapyd, Rakuten will bring instant digital payments capabilities into its existing platform, allowing millions of its current users to conduct seamless digital personal and business transactions without having to leave the Viber app. .