Zapp, a money transfer service operating through WhatsApp, has announced the expansion of its services to Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. The move enables Central American migrants in the United States to send money directly to family and friends back home using the popular messaging platform. Recipients can receive funds via bank deposit or cash pickup at thousands of locations, including major banks and retail chains.
In Guatemala, users can send from $5 to $2,999 with a fixed fee of $4.74 for bank deposits and $5.74 for cash withdrawals, available at over 15,000 locations including G&T Continental, Banrural, Banco Industrial, Elektra, and Banco Azteca. Honduras offers three fee tiers: $5.99 for transfers up to $200, $13.99 for up to $1,000, and $32.99 for up to $3,000, with more than 8,000 payout points such as Banco Atlántida, Ficohsa, BAC Credomatic, and Elektra. In El Salvador, fees range from $4.99 to $19.99 for bank deposits and $5.99 to $20.99 for cash withdrawals, with a $1 surcharge for cash, accessible at over 6,000 locations including Banco Agrícola, Banco Cuscatlán, Super Selectos, and Walmart. Nicaragua features a three-tier fee structure: $5.99 for $100-$200, $14.99 for up to $1,000, and $33.99 for up to $3,000, with more than 5,000 banks and businesses like Banpro, Banco Lafise, and BAC Credomatic.
Zapp leverages WhatsApp's widespread adoption to simplify remittances, eliminating the need for separate apps or in-person visits. The service is authorized by Spectrum Global Payment Solutions, Inc. (NMLS ID 937914) and offers a money-back guarantee. This expansion addresses the needs of Central American migrants who sent over $23 billion in remittances to the region in 2025, according to World Bank data. By integrating with WhatsApp, Zapp reduces barriers to financial access, particularly for unbanked populations. The competitive fee structures and extensive payout networks are expected to lower costs and increase convenience for users. This development is significant as it leverages existing communication tools to enhance financial inclusion, potentially increasing remittance flows and supporting economic stability in recipient countries.
