Facebook announced Facebook Pay, which is far different from Libra. Then, Google is apparently getting into checking, which leads to a question of motivations: each of the tech companies are approaching financial services from a different angle.
SoftBank Rescues WeWork, Owning WeWork, Zuckerberg in Congress
SoftBank is rescuing WeWork in a very strange transaction, then re-visiting what I have written about WeWork. Plus, Zuckerberg’s appearance in Congress confirmed why Libra is the wrong approach for the company.
Libra Launches, Loses Members; A Note on Facebook v Warren; The Office of Emerging Technologies
Libra launches, but may be dead before it begins. Then, Facebook v Warren is a reminder of the value of the U.S. approach — and an indirect way to explain how silly San Francisco is.
Libra in Congress; Global Community, Revisited; Messianic Versus Money-Making
Libra had a chilly reception at Capitol Hill, which highlighted a fundamental tension between Internet companies and lawmakers. Then, why it was inevitable that Facebook would make Libra, and why it was probably the wrong choice.
Libra’s Questionable Benefits, Facebook’s Hidden Costs, Philosophical Objections
While Facebook, Libra, and the Long Game was about analysis, this Daily Update is about opinion: I don’t think Libra is a good idea.
An Interview with Kevin Weil and Dante Disparte About Libra and Calibra
An interview with Kevin Weil, the VP of Product at Calibra, and Dante Disparte, the Head of Policy and Communications at the Libra Association, about Libra and Calibra.
Facebook, Libra, and the Long Game
Libra is less about an immediate benefit to Facebook, and more about creating a world where companies like Facebook have the best chance to prosper. That is why Facebook gave up so much control.
Facebook’s Cryptocurrency, The Problem — and Benefit — of Credit Cards, The Facebook Payment Network
Facebook is coming out with its own cryptocurrency; the implementation details are less interesting than the opportunity in payments generally, and why Facebook is uniquely placed.
More on Chrome and AMP, The Case Against Google, Decentralization and Paradigm Shifts
More on Chrome and AMP, and what The Case Against Google gets wrong about Microsoft. Then, why decentralized networks are aggregator kryptonite.
Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash, TL;DR: The Bitcoin Paradox, Uber-Softbank Deal
Bitcoin versus Bitcoin Cash looks like a pump-and-dump deal; that, though underscores the paradox underlying Bitcoin’s value. Then, Uber and Softbank reach a deal that will reflect the fact Uber didn’t kill Lyft.