Facebook and partners move forward with Libra cryptocurrency after string of exits
Twenty one remaining members officially join the Libra Association.
- 2022 Eddie award for consumer analysis
Facebook and its partners are planning to launch a new cryptocurrency called Libra in 2020.
Facebook's effort to launch a new cryptocurrency called Libra has faced numerous setbacks from regulatory scrutiny to an exodus of key partners.
But the social media giant and its partners signaled on Monday they're still planning to move forward with plans to launch the new digital currency in 2020. Twenty one organizations, including Facebook, formally joined the Libra Association, which is overseeing the cryptocurrency.
These 21 organizations formally joined the Libra Association on Monday.
Since the social network unveiled plans for Libra in June, seven of its partners have dropped out of the project. That includes payment companies such as PayPal, Visa and Mastercard, which analysts saw as a key part of whether Libra gains traction.
Lawmakers have also raised concerns that Libra could be abused for money laundering and other crimes. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is scheduled to testify before the US House Committee on Financial Services on Oct. 23 about Libra and other topics. Facebook is also building a digital wallet called Calibra to store Libra.
Spotify, Uber and venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz are some of the partners that decided to stick with the project and officially joined the association during a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.
The organizations signed the charter for the Libra Association, which also formed a council tasked with governance of the group. The council appointed a board of directors that includes Calibra co-founder David Marcus, Andreessen Horowitz general partner Katie Haun, PayU general counsel Patrick Ellis, Kiva chief strategy officer Matthew Davie and Xapo CEO Wences Cesares.
The Libra Association said that more than 1,500 entities have expressed interest in joining the Libra project.