In a bizarre twist of events, Walmart is in the market for something–in this case, a cryptocurrency lead, according to a recent LinkedIn ad.
The Block’s cryptocurrency section confirmed that the ad itself is looking for a “visionary leader” for the purpose of directing Walmart’s cryptocurrency division.
The retailer is looking to develop a “digital currency and cryptocurrency product” position, one that would be responsible for making a “digital currency strategy” to put in place.
“As one of the largest retailers and e-commerce companies, Walmart enables broad set of payment options for its customers,” the ad reads. “…You will provide the leadership to identify technology and customer trends and the investments needed to build on those trends.”
Based on this description and the requirements for the position, it seems like Walmart is looking for ways to integrate cryptocurrency into its payment methods as a start. But that second part – the section about “investments” building on trends
– implies a variety of duties, up to and including helping the retailer build equity in the cryptocurrency arena.
Collaborating with other cryptocurrency experts and cultivating “partnerships” along the way is similarly suggested in the ad.
The post also suggests that the position would entail “leveraging new technologies and customer insights” to solve problems that arise in the implementation of this process, clearly making it a social- and data-driven experience.
The Block acknowledges a potential link between Amazon’s recent ad posting about a similar foray into the cryptocurrency world, but the connection seems thin for now. Amazon has expressed a profound disinterest in allowing customers to use cryptocurrency (specifically Bitcoin) to pay for their products, while Walmart has made no such claim.
Another possibility here is that Walmart could be developing their own cryptocurrency. While the position posting itself doesn’t allude to this responsibility, it wouldn’t be outside of the realm of feasibility for the largest brick-and-mortar retailer in the country to pursue a proprietary investment opportunity.
But, at least for now, the most likely scenario is that Walmart is aware of the growing influence cryptocurrency has on consumers- and the sheer availability of various cryptocurrencies in comparison to a few years ago – and they want to ensure that they aren’t left behind when other industries invariably start incorporating crypto strategies into their daily operations.
