Comments on: Facebook money is overdue http://tomorrowstransactions.com/2014/04/facebook-money-is-overdue/ Thought leadership from Consult Hyperion Tue, 09 Sep 2014 00:19:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0 By: Simon http://tomorrowstransactions.com/2014/04/facebook-money-is-overdue/#comment-134773 Tue, 22 Apr 2014 12:02:43 +0000 http://tomorrowstransactions.com/?p=4394#comment-134773 I actually think this is Facebook’s play to grow their user base more than anything. If you look at WeChat in China, it’s monetised quite heavily as P2P and virtual goods purchasing… Thing.

They could do that with WhatsApp, but I think actually it feeds into their goal of “connecting the world”. Think sub $50 smart phones, and drones to provide internet access. It’s a user grab more than a revenue play… in the short term.

I also think they’re still playing with the idea. They got close in 2010 / 2011 (I saw them popping up at quite a few events – only to subsequently fade away.

It’s interesting because WhatsApp’s only mission to date has been messaging and nothing else, to the point of defiance. The migrant community sending money home could be a great way to grow Facebook numbers though… Especially if they no longer had to walk 50 Miles to the nearest Western Union location and draw out cash.

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