Russian Messaging App Max Adds Built-In Payments

Russia’s homegrown messenger is evolving into a full-scale fintech hub, letting millions of users transfer money and shop without leaving the app.

Major Russian banks have begun rolling out financial services directly inside Max, the country’s domestically developed messaging platform. Users can now make transfers and pay via the national Faster Payments System, check balances, review transaction history, and complete purchases by scanning QR codes or using NFC tags—all without switching to another app. Every transaction is secured by access-code authorization within a protected zone.

For millions of users, Max is positioning itself as more than just a messenger. Beyond payments, the platform allows people to generate a digital passport containing official documents, contact emergency services, or connect with local information hotlines.

The developers emphasize security as a core feature. The system can scan 1.5 billion lines of code in fractions of a second to detect anomalies, while AI-powered algorithms continuously search for vulnerabilities and retrain themselves to improve resilience.