Called this! Knew that they would remove “Libra” since it caused a stir up and that they’d be using WhatsApp payments (FB payments) to get this through

Entire countries run on WhatsApp whether it’s govt/business/people

this is going to change so much https://www.coindesk.com/libra-facebook-blockchain-digital-wallet-novi-calibra

Zuckerberg is cementing status as King by any means & he’s been smart about WhatsApp approach, which is a MUST HAVE tool to operate in developing countries. I’ve said this before cellphone carriers base their entire packages around WhatsApp chat. That’s how much power they have.

While the US market is busy neglecting the masses and focusing on the next shiny thing to come out of a VC cluster, FB has turned WhatsApp into a behemoth by providing tools to masses who’ve been severely neglected, these are mobile first by nature bc of their lower incomes

in developing regions mobile first means you have never owned a laptop bc you just can’t afford one, you get a free cellphone on a plan that includes free WhatsApp chat (non discriminatory app) that removes the debacle of blue text vs green that US market divides itself on

Yeah FB isn’t going to innovate on the social space who knows, maybe never again but they are building power and “FUCK YOU MONEY” beyond compare becoming AN essential tool that is embraced by governments, businesses and people alike. IMO WhatsApp is their crown jewel now.

I’ve said this before too, while most shit that’s “hot” rn is all about giving ppl status, exclusivity, ego boosts (tiktok, clubhouse, et all) FB is focusing on becoming a “democratizing” tool instead bc REAL money is in becoming as essential to masses in every aspect as possible

which is ironic to say “FB” as democratizing tool? In the land of the blind (underserved masses) the one eyed man is king (affordable tools that enable commerce, connection, control) it’s why it’s permeated so many different layers govt/business/general user

WhatsApp payments has been testing if I’m correct in India, and is set to launch this year. I’ve been saying this is the ONLY THING MISSING from WhatsApp (payment feature) people in developing regions don’t give a fuck about your website (WhatsApp Chat is FREE) they don’t browse

this is not how “developed nations” shop, they care about website, they browse, they leave stuff in their carts and businesses will then harrass them into buying shit with emails that say “looks like you forgot something” (Always after the fact)

Meanwhile developing nations are “conversational commerce” literally wherein you can bargain, negotiate, convert IRT (in real time) through WhatsApp chat bc that’s what’s affordable to the masses, that’s how they’re used to doing business, they don’t care about friction (website)

Anyways to conclude this thread, FB doesn’t have a good reputation that’s obvious, it’s even more obvious that they have taken to a sort of “imperialism” taking their tools & using it to drive entire economies and culture around the world (Whatsapp)

But I will say that tools like WhatsApp have enabled a lot of very low income, dirt poor people to get connected, for good or for bad and that’s in a way leveling the playing field where others have SEVERELY neglected our regions, or haven’t even cared to consider us.