Facebook Is Now Getting Into Blockchain, Fingers In Literally Every Pie

It’s not really surprising at this point, but it’s still disconcerting the way Facebook is just brushing aside all concerns about how it’s practically taking over every aspect of life, at this point. Recent reports indicate that the social media giant is now looking into Blockchain and how it can use it to further its reach. This could give Facebook the foothold it needs to expand even more than it already has.

This report was first broken by Recode, which noted how former Messenger boss David Marcus would be heading a small team within Facebook to look into Blockchain. At the time, insiders informed the publication that Marcus just left his post as the head of the messaging platform to explore how the social network can benefit from the technology.

Marcus promptly confirmed the news via Facebook post, noting how this new venture involves starting from the beginning. The post also details some of the work that the former Messenger boss has done for the platform over the years.

“After nearly four unbelievably rewarding years leading Messenger, I have decided it was time for me to take on a new challenge. I'm setting up a small group to explore how to best leverage Blockchain across Facebook, starting from scratch,” Marcus writes.

As to what Facebook might hope to accomplish with regards to Facebook, no specifics have been given, but it’s probably safe to say that it would be in line with the company’s perceived core goals: Growth At Any Cost. This has been the central premise of everything that the social network has done from the start, regardless of what flowery words founder Mark Zuckerberg might use to paint over it.

As CNET points out, Blockchain is the digital ledger technology that is rapidly taking over the tech industry thanks to its many appealing features. Among these features is transparency, where nothing is hidden in any transaction.

The most popular aspects of Blockchain include Cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, although, they are far from the only areas affected by the burgeoning field. Subjects such as ending world hunger and even more transparent elections can be affected by Blockchain. It’s no wonder Facebook would have a vested interest in exploring its possibilities.