Apple recently posted a job listing for someone familiar with 'alternative payments' and experience working with cryptocurrency — suggesting that the tech giant is planning to enter the crypto market in some fashion. Regardless of how Apple decides to dabble with cryptocurrency, any backing of it by the company could help substantially in cementing crypto as a legitimate thing.
While cryptocurrency has been around since 2009 when Bitcoin was first created, the idea of crypto has really exploded over the past year. Whether it be Bitcoin, Ehtereum, Dogecoin, or anything else in between, cryptocurrency is now seeing more mainstream attention than ever before. It's easier to purchase/invest in, more stores accept crypto as forms of payment, and it seems like new coins are popping up every other day.
Now, the next big crypto update could from none other than Apple itself. As spotted by CoinDesk, Apple published a job listing on May 26, 2021, for the title of "Business Development Manager — Alternative Payments." Whoever is hired for the role will be working closely with the Apple Wallets, Payments, and Commerce (WPC) team to lead "Alternative Payments Partnerships." More specifically, Apple says it needs this person's help for "forming partnership framework and commercial models, defining implementation paradigms, identifying key players and managing relationships with strategic alternative payment partners." Some of the qualifications include "deep knowledge of the alternative payments ecosystem" and over 5 years of experience with digital wallets, Buy Now Pay Later systems, cryptocurrency, and more.
Don't Expect Apple To Release Its Own Crypto Any Time Soon
What does all of this mean? For starters, don't expect Apple to announce its own Apple cryptocurrency any time soon. While the idea of Apple taking on Bitcoin with its own coin is potentially exciting, there's no evidence to suggest this is something in the company's playbook. That's not to say an Apple crypto won't ever happen, but that's unlikely the reason why Apple has this new job listing.
Instead, what's more realistic is Apple wanting to find new ways to bring crypto into its ecosystem. This could include allowing types of crypto as a payment method on the App Store, creating a digital wallet for users to hold crypto on their iPhone (not unlike what Samsung offers on some of its phones), or even allowing people to buy/sell crypto through a new app. There's no way of knowing for sure based on this job listing alone, but it is clear that Apple is getting serious about cryptocurrency for one reason or another.
Source: CoinDesk