
After much speculation, Facebook has announced the details of Libra, a new cryptocurrency that seeks to address the many concerns of previous implementations. The currency will be available for payments on its social media platforms, as well as WhatsApp and Messenger. Further, Facebook says companies like Uber and Visa are likely to join. To avoid volatility and privacy concerns, Libra will be backed by real-life assets. The service would enable quick payments across the world, and available as both an app and messaging service in 2020. If successful, Facebook's currency could cause a major shakeup in the financial world, but that comes with its own concerns. The company has already received numerous accusations of a monopoly-like status and calls for it to be broken up. It has also been at the head of data privacy scandals in recent times, from Cambridge Analytica to Facebook and Instagram breaches. To address this, Facebook has formed the Libra Association, a collection of financial, not-for-profit and commerce firms that will form the decision-making backbone. Regulators and users are supposed to believe that the firms, who contributed a minimum of $10 million to be on the board, have their best interests at heart. Companies in the association include PayPal, Mastercard, Coinbase, Uber, Lyft, and Mercy Group. Facebook claims this association will be independent from governments and its own company to stop tampering.