As I previously wrote, Facebook [relaxed their crypto ad ban yesterday](https://steemit.com/crypto/@dragosroua/facebook-relaxed-its-ban-on-crypto-ads). A couple of hours ago, though, in an analysis published on [The Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/facebook-cryptocurrency-ban-coinbase-bitcoin-exchange-a8418841.html), a rumor about Facebook potentially buying Coinbase surfaced again. 

It's not the first time these rumors appear, the first one was [in the Economist](https://www.economist.com/business/2018/06/02/american-tech-giants-are-making-life-tough-for-startups) a while ago.

According to the piece on The Independent:

> Experts say that not only could the acquisition boost Facebook’s value and utility, the involvement of the technology giant would add legitimacy to cryptocurrency markets.

> "It wouldn't surprise me if Facebook made an attempt to acquire Coinbase," tech entrepreneur Oliver Isaacs told The Independent. "Whether [Coinbase CEO] Brian Armstrong and the team would agree is another question."

Wether or not this rumor is true, I have no way to know. 

But I can speculate on the upsides and downsides of such a move.

## Upside

* broader adoption (2 billion Facebook users, versus the 10 million current Coinbase user base)
* more liquidity in the markets

## Downside

* a big hit for decentralization as an utopian dream (Facebook is an epitome of centralization, IMHO)
* potential market manipulations via fake-news (a thing that Facebook seems to be familiar with)

The trade-off seems to be a bit too much for me, so I'd rather not see this happening. 

Thoughts?
***
_I'm a serial entrepreneur, blogger and ultrarunner. You can find me mainly on my blog at [Dragos Roua](http://dragosroua.com) where I write about productivity, business, relationships and running. Here on Steemit you may stay updated by following me @dragosroua._
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