March 6 (Reuters) - Elon Musk said on Wednesday that his

social media platform X could soon receive approval for a money

transmitter license in New York, putting the platform a step

closer to offering payment features.

While speaking at the Morgan Stanley technology, media and

telecom conference, Musk also said X could receive its license

in California in the next month or so, while getting the New

York approval could be "a few months away".

Since acquiring the company formerly known as Twitter in

2022, the billionaire has sought to turn it into an "everything

app" like Tencent's ( TCTZF ) dominant WeChat app in China, with

features beyond social media, including the ability to send

money to other X users.

To offer services across the U.S., experts say X will need a

money transmitter license in each state, and Musk has previously

said that approval in New York and California would be the most

consequential. Those populous states are also known for

relatively lengthy approval processes.

Some other states including Pennsylvania and Utah have

already granted money transmitter licenses to X.

During the conference, the billionaire who also runs Tesla

and SpaceX said X was considering removing the number

of likes and reposts that are currently visible on each post.

The information could visually clutter content on the

platform, he said.