Going for blockchain:
But Alibaba founder warns of bitcoin bubble
Jack Ma, chairman of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, has declared bitcoin a potential bubble, reiterating his caution over the volatile cryptocurrency as his Ant Financial launched blockchain-based money transfers between Hong Kong and Philippines.
HONG KONG: Billionaire Jack Ma has declared bitcoin a potential bubble, reiterating his caution over the volatile cryptocurrency as his Ant Financial launched blockchain-based money transfers between Hong Kong and Philippines.
The founder and chairman of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd extolled the possibilities of the decentralised ledger on which bitcoin is based but warned that the digital currency itself may be driven by torrid speculation.
Ma made his comments yesterday after officially launching a blockchain-based remittance service with Standard Chartered Plc and GCash, Ant’s venture with the Philippines’ Globe Telecom Inc.
Bitcoin set a 2018 low on Sunday before bouncing back a tad, underscoring the volatility that stems from increased scrutiny by regulators even as global central bankers and business chiefs raise questions about its viability.
“Blockchain technology could change our world more than people imagine,” Ma told reporters in the former British colony, home to a large population of Filipino workers and domestic helpers who send money home regularly.
“Bitcoin, however, could be a bubble.” Ant Financial, an affiliate of Alibaba’s backed by some of the biggest names in global finance and investment, has explored blockchain technology for years, including to clean up China’s murky charities.
But the remittance service marks one of the first instances of the Internet giant using the technology in mainstream finance.
Yesterday, Ma also took potshots at the traditional banking industry, saying financial institutions were over-charging for overseas payments. Ant Financial, blocked from buying Moneygram International Inc, now wants to build something better and take blockchain-based remittances beyond just Hong Kong to Philippines.
He didn’t elaborate. “Traditional financial institutions serve 20% of people and make 80% of profits. New financial institutions should service 80% of people, and make 20% of profit,” said Ma.