Xiaohongshu obtains payment license, and its e-commerce and financial strategic ecosystem construction enters a new stage.

According to information from the Tianyancha app, recently, the payment institution Dongfang Electronics Payment Co., Ltd. (referred to as Dongfang Payment) has been 100% controlled by Ningzhi Information Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. It is reported that Dongfang Payment's payment license was renewed in August 2024, allowing it to carry out internet payment and other businesses. Tianyancha information shows that Ningzhi Information is a subsidiary of Xiaohongshu Technology Co., Ltd., which means that Xiaohongshu has obtained a payment license. Xiaohongshu has not yet responded to this. Public information shows that Dongfang Payment is an internet payment institution jointly funded by Shanghai Information Investment Co., Ltd., Beijing Dongfang Port Technology Co., Ltd., and Shanghai Yima Logistics System Co., Ltd. in March 2008, with a registered capital of 121.3 million yuan. The company's main businesses include national customs duty electronic payment, free trade zone business, cross-border RMB, and cross-border foreign exchange payment. Its main products include Speedpass, Speedsettle, Hangfu Tong, and Payment+. Analysis believes that obtaining a payment license is crucial for Xiaohongshu: This acquisition of the payment license by Xiaohongshu is a key move in its e-commerce strategic layout. This not only helps reduce its reliance on third-party payment channels and control transaction data but also lays the foundation for future expansion of cross-border business and financial technology services, marking the entry of its e-commerce and financial strategic ecosystem into a new stage. Building a business closed loop: In recent years, Xiaohongshu has continued to strengthen its e-commerce business, upgrading it to a first-tier department and launching a "Market" page in the app's bottom navigation bar. With the acquisition of a payment license, Xiaohongshu will greatly accelerate the process of building a complete business closed loop of "content-transaction-payment." Enhancing user experience and control: Through an embedded payment system, users can complete the entire consumption process within the Xiaohongshu platform, making the experience smoother. At the same time, this will help Xiaohongshu to have key payment data and transaction information in its own hands. Reducing costs and exploring new possibilities: Controlling Dongfang Payment will help Xiaohongshu break free from its reliance on third-party payment channels and save significant fees. In addition, the payment license can also provide a foundation for Xiaohongshu to expand into cross-border payments, financial technology, and other diverse businesses in the future.