Walmart might be eyeing a push into accepting cryptocurrencies.
On Sunday, the retailer published a job posting for a “Digital Currency and Cryptocurrency Product Lead,” which was spotted by Bloomberg. According to the posting, Walmart is looking to hire an expert in cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies, who can develop the retailer’s strategy and product roadmap for digital currencies.
The posting doesn’t divulge any specific plans. But it notes the candidate “will provide the leadership to identify technology and customer trends and the investments needed to build on those trends.”
Walmart didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. But the past year has seen the value of Bitcoin and Ethereum soar in value, making the cryptocurrencies an attractive (albeit unstable) investment for both consumers and companies. So it’s possible the retail giant could be exploring accepting cryptocurrency as a form of payment.
Companies that already accept cryptocurrencies include PayPal, Newegg and AT&T. Tesla also briefly jumped on the Bitcoin bandwagon, but in May the automaker suspended accepting the Bitcoin payments, citing the currency’s impact on the environment.
If Walmart does begin accepting cryptocurrencies, it could help take the technology mainstream. Still, people who buy Bitcoin or Ethereum generally do so for investment purposes, not to pay for retail products.
Walmart’s job post arrives weeks after Amazon published its own job recruitment listing for a “Digital Currency and Blockchain Product Lead.” According to the post, Amazon is also hoping to recruit a qualified candidate to develop a digital currency strategy for the e-commerce giant. But Amazon has denied it plans on accepting Bitcoin before the end of this year.
