Published on: June 23, 2026
Kunal Shah, Founder of fintech platform CRED, has been named the new Global Head of WhatsApp, taking over from outgoing chief Will Cathcart in a major leadership transition at Meta’s messaging platform.
The appointment coincides with a broader strategic development involving Meta’s reported investment of approximately $900 million (around ₹8,550 crore) in CRED, valuing the company at $4.5 billion. The investment grants Meta a minority stake in the fintech firm and represents one of the company’s most significant investments in India’s startup ecosystem.
Shah shared the news through a LinkedIn post, reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey and describing the opportunity to lead WhatsApp as both humbling and exciting. He noted that the platform has fundamentally changed how billions of people communicate, connect, and conduct business, and expressed enthusiasm about contributing to its future growth.
With Shah transitioning to WhatsApp, CRED’s Chief Strategy and Finance Officer, Miten Sampat, will step in as Interim CEO and oversee the company’s operations during the leadership change.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg also announced the appointment on social media, praising Shah’s accomplishments as an entrepreneur and product innovator. In the same message, Zuckerberg acknowledged Will Cathcart’s contributions over the past seven years, highlighting his role in expanding WhatsApp into one of the world’s most widely used communication platforms.
Cathcart is expected to move into a new position within Meta, while Shah will assume responsibility for overseeing WhatsApp’s global operations. His appointment places one of India’s most recognized startup founders at the forefront of a platform used by billions globally, including its largest user base in India.
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