Tencent is testing an AI payment card within WeChat Wallet that lets users set spending limits and authorize smart-agent transactions, with a launch possible as early as this week.
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Tencent tests WeChat Pay AI card after 8x surge in wallet funding
Tencent is testing an AI payment card within WeChat Wallet that lets users set spending limits and authorize smart-agent transactions, with a launch possible as early as this week.
WeChat Pay is testing an AI payment feature with Tencent's WorkBuddy smart agent, planning an "AI Dedicated Card" that lets users control spending limits while enabling autonomous payments — a move that deepens Tencent's fintech position against Ant Group's Alipay.
"Consumers today no longer view payments in isolation, particularly in China where digital wallet apps are ubiquitous and deeply woven into everyday life," P'ing Lim, Regional Head of Ecosystems & Cross Border Payments at DBS Bank, said, commenting on the broader shift toward integrated digital payment networks.
The AI Dedicated Card's spending limit is determined by the user's top-up amount, with payment authorization scope managed at any time through the app. Funds are earmarked for designated purposes, and any payment initiated by the smart agent requires user identity verification for confirmation. The feature could go live as early as this week, according to Chinese media reports. DBS said the number of customers using its Remit service to fund Weixin Pay wallets has quadrupled since February, while transaction volumes surged eightfold, with average transaction sizes exceeding SGD800.
The feature improves access to China's broader digital payments network beyond simple transactions, including transport bookings and food ordering across merchants and services. While users may link credit cards to digital wallets for payments, transactions above certain thresholds incur additional fees. Direct wallet funding through DBS Remit allows users to avoid these platform transaction fees — a model the AI card could extend to autonomous spending.
The AI card represents Tencent's latest effort to expand its WeChat platform through fintech services. By embedding AI agents directly into the payment flow, Tencent positions WorkBuddy as a gateway for automated transactions — from bill payments to e-commerce purchases — without requiring users to leave the WeChat environment.
The development follows a broader industry push toward AI-powered payments. Visa recently integrated its payment network into OpenAI's ChatGPT, enabling the chatbot to facilitate transactions on behalf of users. While most AI tools today cannot complete purchases autonomously, companies including Amazon and Google are racing to embed payment capabilities into their AI assistants, according to NPR.
For Tencent, the AI card could open new revenue streams through transaction fees on autonomous payments. The company's shares rose 0.358 percent on Tuesday, with short selling volume of $927.4 million representing 8.5 percent of total trading. The AI card, if widely adopted, could increase transaction volumes on the WeChat Pay platform and strengthen Tencent's competitive position against Ant Group.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
[1] WeChat Pay Reportedly Testing AI Payment Feature, which May be Launched as Early as This Week[2] DBS opens up direct funds top-up & transfer function for Singapore travellers in China[3] Visa and OpenAI integrate Visa's secure global payment directly into ChatGPT[4] WeChat Pay Reportedly Testing AI Payment Feature, which May be Launched as Early as This Week - AASTOCKS.com[5] Major players are rapidly launching AI-powered payment products, and AI is expected to drive accelerated growth for fintech firms. - Moomoo
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