Apple hints at an interest in cryptocurrencies after posting a job ad for an 'alternative payments' manager

• Apple is looking to hire a crypto-savvy business development manager, according to a new job ad.
• The candidate should have more than five years of experience in working with alternative payments.
• The iPhone maker has so far not made any public statements relating to the crypto space.

Apple is looking to hire a business development manager for "alternative payments," hinting at its interest in the cryptocurrency space.

A job ad posted this week that states candidates must have experience in alternative and emerging payment solutions. Key qualifications include having more than five years of experience working in sectors such as digital wallets, "buy now, pay later" services, and cryptocurrencies.

The incoming manager, who will be based in Apple's Cupertino headquarters in California, will be responsible for striking new business pacts with "strategic alternative payment partners."

The iPhone maker is tapping a prospective hire as it prepares to support payments made in bitcoin through its Wallet app. The Apple App Store listing for major crypto exchange Coinbase shows it supports transactions made through the Apple Wallet, but there are no details yet on how this integration will work, according to the Financial Times.

Coinbase's support page says it "does not currently support Apple Pay, but we hope to bring a faster, safer way to spend cryptocurrency to iOS users soon."

Crypto investors and enthusiasts have taken Apple's job ad to mean that it is looking to adopt cryptocurrencies as a form of payment. Tesla announced in February it would accept bitcoin payments, causing a 16% jump in the cryptocurrency's price. But the electric-vehicle maker soon backtracked on this decision, citing climate-related concerns.

Apple has so far not made any public statements about its plans for the cryptocurrency space, and didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on its job ad.

Apple Pay vice president Jennifer Bailey told CNN in 2019 the company thinks crypto has "interesting long-term potential."

For a more in-depth discussion, come on over to Business Insider Cryptosphere — a forum where users can deep dive into all things crypto, engage in interesting discussions and stay ahead of the curve.

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