What does Facebook’s cryptocurrency Libra mean for pubs?

The new currency, similar to decade-old Bitcoin, has been created to offer billions of people the option to exchange currency for products and services through the tech company’s apps including Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram.

It will operate on the blockchain, a digital system that records transactions, like Bitcoin, but it will be backed by several currencies to ensure the stability of its value.

Details about the currency​

There are few details about the new currency, how to access it or how it will work in full.

However, with many businesses, including pubs, and consumers already having a presence on the company’s apps, there is potential to make spending within these networks more fluid.

For example, customers could make low-fee transactions for food and drink using Libra on a pub’s Facebook or Instagram account through Facebook’s digital wallet Calibra.

Currently there are 28 groups working on the project, including former PayPal executives, credit firms like Visa, Spotify and organisations with an interest in Libra’s ability to give 1.7bn people globally without banking facilities better access.

Reshape the banking sector​

Commentators believe, if successful, Libra will have the ability to reshape the banking sector, which has operated in the same way for decades.

Yet, national and global banks have already criticised the proposed currency, claiming consumers don’t want to mix their social and financial lives using apps.

Other sceptics claim the new currency is just another moneymaking tool for tech firms like Facebook to control consumer spend, by linking personal data with advertising.