WhatsApp said it was surprised by the announcement and that it had been in regular contact both with local banks and payment companies and the central bank in the run-up to the launch. WhatsApp added that it believed the Brazilian central bank was concerned that WhatsApp Pay might compete with PIX, its own instant payments system that is due to launch later this year.  “Our goal is to provide digital payments to all WhatsApp users in Brazil using an open model and we will continue to work with local partners and the central bank to make this possible,” a WhatsApp spokesperson said, adding that the company would “work with the central bank to integrate [its] systems when PIX becomes available”.

https://www.ft.com/content/de731605-1832-400d-a381-077d8d08f228