Facebook to launch Libra cryptocurrency 'ecosystem' in 2020
The company says it has taken a collaborative approach to its plans, which are expected to go live within the next 12 months.
Wednesday 19 June 2019 10:45, UK
Facebook is to launch its own digital currency within the next year, saying its plans will deliver an "inclusive and open" financial ecosystem.
The cryptocurrency, to be called Libra, forms part of a wider Calibra digital wallet package under development that will be available as a standalone app before mid-2020.
It will initially only allow payments between users, via smartphones or other devices, but Libra will be "open source" - meaning it can be included in existing and other digital wallets.
Bank of England governor Mark Carney said he was keeping an "open mind" about the potential usefulness of the cryptocurrency, but warned it may face strict regulation if it takes off.
Facebook said Libra was to be included on trading exchanges - allowing for conversion to physical currency.
But the US tech firm said it should be seen as a medium for payments rather than a Bitcoin-style cryptocurrency - largely unregulated and vulnerable to wild fluctuations in value.
It explained that the value would be underpinned by real assets, including bank deposits and short-term government securities.
These would be managed by a string of big firms, under a not-for-profit umbrella organisation, with the aim of ensuring stability.
It said the Libra Association, to be based in Switzerland, was aiming to attract 100, largely multi-national, entities by the time of the launch.
Each firm must pay $10m (£8m) to get on board.
There are currently 28 signed up, including Mastercard, Spotify, Paypal, Uber and Vodafone.
Facebook said it would have "no special role" in governing Libra amid questions surrounding global regulatory oversight.
David Marcus, who started exploring the blockchain-powered currency for the company a year ago, said central banks had given "general cautious support" so far.
He said: "Libra holds the potential to provide billions of people around the world with access to a more inclusive, more open financial ecosystem."
Jorn Lambert, executive vice president for digital solutions at Mastercard, admitted "we might not launch" if there was too much opposition - agreeing with the sentiment that discussions with central banks and other bodies were at an early stage.
Facebook said if the project progresses as expected, services available via the Calibra wallet would eventually be opened up to allow things such as payments for goods and services.
It also moved to ease concerns about data collection - following a string of scandals - by saying account information would not be shared with Facebook except for "limited cases" where the data may be shared "to keep people safe, comply with the law, and provide basic functionality to the people who use Calibra".
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Stefano Parisse, group director of product and services at Vodafone, said: "As a Founding Member of the Libra Network, Vodafone will extend its commitment to digital and financial inclusion by supporting the creation of a new global currency and encouraging a wide range of innovative financial services to be developed through its open-source platform.
"This has the potential to be truly transformative and will benefit those who have never used, or are struggling to access, financial services around the world."