What's the next wave of commerce revolution, after DTC? It's Social Commerce.

In China, Social Commerce is a hyper-growth market.

I've been following the Chinese and SEA mobile payments revolutions for years & the numbers are . 79% of mobile users ($590M people) will use mobile payments in 2020.

This is compared to 30% of smart phone users (69M people) in the US.

WHY is China so far ahead? The main reason is that social networks + Payments & Identity are fully integrated within Chinese apps (Alipay & WeChat). Like having Instagram & FB Messenger with Payments. https://www.americanbanker.com/news/why-chinas-mobile-payments-revolution-matters-for-us-bankers

This creates all new experiences, such as tipping, micro-payments, QR-code payments, banking / wealth, mini-stores, livestreaming, etc. that we just don't have in the US yet. In China, brands & influencers can build more robust relationships with their buyers.

In the US, paid advertising consists of you clicking on an (expensive) ad to go to a website. Then the seller needs to convince you to create an account & add your payment info to complete the purchase (Which is their Main Goal!)

TLDR is China is far ahead in the Social & Mobile Commerce waves, but there are all sorts of interesting, proven business models that will surface in the US (inspired by China), as soon as there's an easier way to buy things online.