Known locally as 微信 or Weixin, WeChat is a social media app that’s become one of the most widely used in China. Because it’s governed by China’s strong censorship laws and messaging interception rules, the government can potentially review your messages and other data at any time. Given this, it’s no surprise that WeChat hasn’t yet caught on internationally. Additionally, President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January 2021, prohibiting transactions with companies behind eight Chinese apps, including WeChat Pay.
Only if you have a bank account in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia or South Africa. It’s the only way to use WeChat Wallet in the US, but that might be impeded by the executive order signed by Trump.
WeChat Pay launched at the start of 2018, allowing tourists, expats and international students to pay at select stores in the States. See if your local grocery store participates by looking for the WeChat logo.
Follow these steps to request and send money with WeChat Wallet:
The money you’re sent on WeChat is automatically transferred into your WeChat Wallet — meaning you don’t accept or deny payment. Review your balance to manage how much money is in your WeChat account.
Yes. WeChat is not legally allowed to process international money transfers. Be aware that only wallets specific to the areas supported by WeChat — China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and South Africa — can send accessible money among one another.
Keep in mind that if you’re trying to send money from your wallet in China to someone in South Africa, WeChat will send the money, but now your recipient in South Africa will also have a Chinese wallet. Unless the user from South Africa heads to China, they can’t access the money.
WeChat encrypts your personal information, financial details and monetary transactions. However, WeChat doesn’t provide much information on other digital safeguards.
Because WeChat Wallet is based in China, it isn’t required to comply with American security standards. The Chinese government also monitors all social media devices, including WeChat. So it’s maybe safe from hackers, but your transaction isn’t private.
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