Facebook rolls out Messenger payments platform across US

Facebook has finally released its peer-to-peer payment system across the US, nearly three months after announcing its creation.

Users can quickly transfer money to each other through its Messenger platform.

It was announced in March that the payments feature was being made available to desktop, Android and iOS users in the United States.

Initially being rolled out on a city-by-city basis, the technology was made available in select American cities including New York, Seattle, Austin and Portland.

MasterCard and Visa cardholders can link their details to their Facebook account to send money to a friend by pressing the new “$” in a chat. This opens a payment screen where users can type the amount they want to send. The service is only available to debit card holders as it minimises fraud and cuts out transaction fees.

iPhone users have an added layer of security when they make an online payment, using Apple’s TouchID to make a transfer. Former PayPal president David Marcus took to Facebook to announce the release.

‘‘We’re happy to announce that Messenger person-to-person payments are now available to everyone in the US. Add your Debit Card and pay anyone on Messenger in a few taps. Money goes straight from your checking account to the recipient’s checking account. Easy and safe,’’ confirmed Marcus, who now serves as Facebook’s vice president of messaging products.