"Hiring Cryptocurrency Experts"... Apple's Suspicious Job Advertisement (Comprehensive)

Digital Wallets, BNPL, Fast Payments, etc.
Urgent Hiring for Alternative Payment Business Development Manager
Development of New Features such as Apple Wallet and Payments
Preparing for Cooperation Support with Apple Pay

BlackRock CEO "Looking into Cryptocurrency"
Carl Icahn "May Invest Over $1 Billion"

U.S. SEC "Hopes to Cooperate with Congress on Cryptocurrency Regulation"

Photo by Getty Images Bank

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jaehee] Apple recently announced a job opening in its payment division seeking a business development manager for ‘alternative payments,’ including cryptocurrency, drawing industry attention. Notably, the job qualifications specify experience in the cryptocurrency field, which is unusual. This has led to speculation that Apple, which had previously kept its distance from cryptocurrency, may be preparing services supporting payments using cryptocurrency.

On the 26th (local time), Apple announced on its official website that it is looking for a business development manager with experience in the cryptocurrency industry. According to the job posting by Apple, the qualifications include over five years of experience at alternative payment providers such as digital wallets, BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later), fast payments, and cryptocurrency.

The role of the business development manager primarily involves securing potential partners and negotiating and closing deals. The position will also be responsible for introducing new features in Apple Wallet and payments. It was added that the role will cooperate with Apple Pay, Apple’s main payment method team.

This move contrasts with Apple’s previous stance of distancing itself from alternative payments like cryptocurrency. For a long time, Apple has not accepted customers’ cryptocurrency and has maintained control over payment methods by requiring all apps on its App Store to use Apple Commerce.

A representative example is the legal dispute with Epic Games, the developer of the game Fortnite. Epic Games accused Apple of exercising control over the app distribution market, violating antitrust laws, and suppressing payment innovation.

Apple did not provide any separate comments on this matter. However, industry insiders speculate that this could be a step toward preparing to support cryptocurrency payments through Apple Pay on iPhones in the future.

Global investment institutions have also shown increasing interest in cryptocurrency. Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, the world’s largest asset management firm, said at the shareholders’ meeting that he has been "looking into the evolution of cryptocurrency" in response to shareholder questions about cryptocurrency investment intentions. He added that they are examining whether cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin can be assets that provide countercyclical benefits.

Billionaire investor Carl Icahn, known as a ‘corporate raider,’ also hinted at the possibility of investing in cryptocurrency during an interview with Bloomberg TV. Icahn said he has not purchased any yet but is interested in cryptocurrency, which is also mentioned as a safe asset against inflation, and that he might invest over $1 billion in cryptocurrency someday.

Gary Gensler, Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), stated in a written response submitted to the House Appropriations Committee that cryptocurrency markets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are not fully regulated in the U.S. and expressed hope to cooperate with Congress to change this.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.