Facebook acquires chatbot maker for Calibra wallet

Facebook has acquired Servicefriend, a startup developing chatbots for messaging apps, according to a TechCrunch report

According to the LinkedIn profiles of Servicefriend's co-founders, they are now working as part of Calibra, Facebook's digital wallet product for its Libra cryptocurrency.

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A Facebook spokesperson tells TechCrunch that "We acquire smaller tech companies from time to time. We don’t always discuss our plans."

In recent weeks, Libra has faced a wave of scrutiny from regulators. The German government passed a blockchain strategy to prevent parallel currencies from being issued in the country, which includes Libra. Additionally, France’s Minister of the Economy and Finance, Bruno Le Maire, claimed that the country will halt the development of Libra in Europe because it threatens the “monetary sovereignty” of governments.

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Steven Zheng is a researcher for The Block. He joined The Block in August 2018. Steven graduated from St. John’s University with a degree in economics. Previously, he covered blockchain and crypto at Radicle, a startup analytics firm. He also had brief stints at Cheddar, a media startup, and Bowery Capital, a venture capital firm. He owns bitcoin. Follow Steven on Twitter at: @Dogetoshi

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