Walmart, one of the world’s largest retailers, is looking for a product lead for its digital currency and cryptocurrency division, according to a recent job posting.
Walmart appears to be getting into the blockchain and cryptocurrency space, with a newly posted opening for a ‘Digital Currency and Cryptocurrency Product Lead’ listed on its career page. The major retail chain is looking for someone responsible for developing its digital currency strategy and product roadmap.
Walmart looking for crypto experts
Among the responsibilities involved are creating the overall vision for the product and its features, as well as identifying technology and customer trends. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that the lead will also be tasked with finding crypto-related investments and partnerships. This could mean integrations with crypto companies, many of whom would likely be eager to jump at the chance.
Walmart has even dabbled with cryptocurrencies in the past. The company revealed that it was seeking a patent for its own cryptocurrency, though not many updates have been offered since.
The news comes a few weeks after Amazon announced that it was also looking for a Digital Currency and Blockchain Product Lead. While it’s still early days in the initiative, all signs point towards a big change on the platform. This clearly shows that major companies want to avoid being left out and that the technology is showing itself to be important.
Blockchain is here to stay
Walmart’s entry into the market is not so much of a surprise, in retrospect. Many incumbent businesses are turning towards digital currency initiatives to keep up with innovation. Faster and cheaper payments, along with increased accessibility, make both online and offline platforms a perfect target for cryptocurrency applications.
Rumors of Amazon accepting cryptocurrencies had swirled earlier this year — which the e-commerce giant flatly denied. However, should Amazon support cryptocurrency payments, it would be a major turning point for the market. Unlike Walmart, Amazon is looking for over 70 blockchain-related posts, evidence of how serious the company is about the initiative.
Japan’s Rakuten, which is often called the Japanese Amazon, has begun accepting cryptocurrencies for payments. The move was well-received by the crypto community and the citizens of Japan. The company has also launched its own cryptocurrency exchange.