Messaging app WeChat’s new feature for this Lunar new year is taking over China by storm, so also the rest of the world. The Chinese have a tradition of sending cash to loved ones in a red envelope to mark the onset of the new year. WeChat has gone digital with this Chinese tradition.

With over 600 million users around the world, WeChat users can now send virtual red envelopes to other users. The amount is credited to the receiver’s bank account. This service went viral last Sunday, & more & more users are said to be using this service to celebrate the New Year.

Through WeChat, a user can send less than 200 yuans to friends and family. Users can also send the amount to a group, which is then randomly divided among the group members. Another interesting function is when a user sends a red envelope, from among the group of recepeints, individual members can rush to claim their received red envelope. The one who opens it 1st in that group chat gets to keep it.

WeChat has become the most used messaging service in China, & has got 78 million users outside China. The parent company Tencent is using various marketing techniques to increase the user base outside the country. Tencent had recently tied up with Google to introduce a promotion offer to users by gifting them a US $25 restaurant voucher if the users linked their WeChat account to Google+. This might be a significant step for Google & Tencent with an eye on gaining more market share.

Image Credit: WeChat

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