- X teams up with Visa to launch the X Money Account, offering secure instant transactions, challenging traditional banking.
- X Payments LLC holds 49 state licenses, setting the stage for nationwide expansion and compliance with financial regulations.
X (formerly Twitter) has partnered with Visa to roll out the X Money Account. The announcement came from CEO Linda Yaccarino on Jan. 28, marking a step forward in transforming X into a comprehensive “everything app.” With Visa as its first financial partner, X aims to seamlessly integrate instant transactions into its ecosystem, a shift that could challenge traditional banking and fintech players.
Yaccarino highlighted Visa’s involvement as a significant milestone, emphasizing that X Money Account will launch later in the year. The service will facilitate secure and instant funding through Visa Direct, enable peer-to-peer payments via linked debit cards, and support direct fund transfers to bank accounts.
Another milestone for the Everything App: @Visa is our first partner for the @XMoney Account, which will debut later this year.
Allows for secure + instant funding to your X Wallet via Visa Direct
Connects to your debit card allowing P2P payments
Option to instantly…
— Linda Yaccarino (@lindayaX) January 28, 2025
Visa acknowledged the collaboration, emphasizing its role in facilitating real-time money transfers for U.S. users of X Money Account. The agreement reinforces Visa’s influence in transforming digital financial interactions.
We’re excited to partner with @XMoney on the launch of X Money Account.
Visa Direct will make it possible for US X Money Account users to fund and transfer money in real-time with their debit card. https://t.co/h1t0ofX9NE
— Visa (@Visa) January 28, 2025
X Expands Regulatory Reach with 49-State Licensing
X Payments LLC, a subsidiary of X, has already made significant headway in regulatory compliance. The company holds 49 money transmitter licenses across the U.S., including Washington, D.C., and is registered with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). By securing these licenses, X ensures compliance with stringent financial regulations, paving the way for nationwide expansion.
The strategic vision behind X Money aligns with Elon Musk’s long-standing goal of turning X into a super app akin to China’s WeChat. The integration of financial transactions into social networking and entertainment services is a move that could dramatically alter how users interact with money online. This shift places X in direct competition with established financial technology firms and banks.
“This is just the beginning,” Yaccarino emphasized, adding, “First of many big announcements about X Money this year.” With 2025 poised for rapid growth, X users can expect more innovations in financial technology, potentially including cryptocurrency integration.
Musk’s $44 Billion Vision Gains Momentum
Elon Musk had hinted at this transition long before acquiring X for $44 billion in 2022. His vision involved creating a platform that combined messaging, streaming, and payments into a single ecosystem. The X Money Account represents one of the most concrete steps toward making that vision a reality.
However, X’s expansion is bound to face resistance from established tech giants. The U.S. Department of Justice, in an antitrust lawsuit, accused Apple of deliberately restricting the rise of super apps. The lawsuit alleges that Apple, since 2017, has used its market influence to suppress platforms that could reduce users’ reliance on iPhone-native services, particularly in payment processing. Apple has denied the allegations and is currently fighting the case in court.
Meanwhile, competition is heating up. Other major players in the fintech space will likely respond to X’s aggressive entry into digital finance. Whether X Money will disrupt the status quo or face regulatory and market hurdles remains to be seen.
