PayPal drops out of Libra cryptocurrency project

PayPal has dropped out of Facebook’s cryptocurrency network, which would be managed by the Swiss nonprofit Libra Association.

“PayPal has made the decision to forgo further participation in the Libra Association at this time and to continue to focus on advancing our existing mission and business priorities as we strive to democratize access to financial services for underserved populations,” a PayPay spokesperson told The Hill in a statement on Saturday.

“We remain supportive of Libra’s aspirations and look forward to continued dialogue on ways to work together in the future. Facebook has been a longstanding and valued strategic partner to PayPal, and we will continue to partner with and support Facebook in various capacities,” the spokesperson added.

Libra project leader David Marcus is the former president of PayPal.

A Facebook spokesperson declined to comment, directing The Hill to the Libra Association.

“It requires a certain boldness and fortitude to take on an endeavor as ambitious as Libra – a generational opportunity to get things right and improve financial inclusion,” Dante Disparte, the Libra Association’s head of policy and communications, said in a statement.