Crypto startup Blockchain.com adds top Walmart director to board

livemint.com:

Blockchain.com is adding the lead independent director from Walmart Inc., the world’s biggest retailer, to its own board in the run-up to a potential public offering by the cryptocurrency service.

Tom Horton’s arrival adds to Blockchain.com’s array of backers from other blue-chip firms and dovetails with crypto’s spread; the company is already known for its blockchain wallet that helps people handle digital currencies. But there’s also fear that a crypto winter is at hand, as Bitcoin’s price continues to plummet from its all-time high in November.

“There’s a gigantic shift underway in financial services and currencies, and being part of it is very exciting," Horton said in an interview. “What’s going on here is relevant to things I am involved with elsewhere -- other boards, other companies."

The move comes as Walmart prepares to enter the field with its own cryptocurrency and a collection of non-fungible tokens. Peter Smith, Blockchain.com’s chief executive officer, said in an interview his company doesn’t have a deal with Walmart, and a representative for the Bentonville, Arkansas-based merchant didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Crypto Crunch 

Blockchain.com has been beefing up its board ahead of a planned initial public offering, which could happen in the “near to medium term," Smith said. Whether the public markets are ready for another crypto debut is unclear, given the recent plunge in digital currencies to bear-market levels.

Bitcoin, for instance, has lost almost half its value as of last week since early November. Coinbase Global Inc. is down 23% since the crypto exchange went public last April.

Newer companies sometimes seek to soothe jitters among potential investors, partners and customers