Meta Invests in CRED, Hires Founder to Lead WhatsApp Monetization

WhatsApp has a vast user base, but expanding revenue while preserving the messaging experience and its privacy commitments has long been a central challenge for parent company Meta. CRED founder Kunal Shah has extensive experience in online payments, membership programs and commercial partnerships, making his expertise a potentially important asset in monetizing WhatsApp.

As of July 20, 2026, Meta had announced a $900 million investment in CRED and hired Kunal Shah to lead WhatsApp’s business. Reports did not disclose the formal announcement date or Meta’s ownership stake. Meta hopes Shah’s experience in the Indian market will help WhatsApp develop new revenue streams, including payments and commercial partnerships, and address the platform’s monetization challenges.