Why Wiper Added Bitcoin to Its Disappearing Chat App

Messaging could be the logical starting point for digital currency adoption, according to the CEO of bitcoin-enabled chat app Wiper.
In an interview with CoinDesk, Manlion Carelli praised bitcoin’s “amazing” promise but said the currency remains difficult for beginners to use. “Wiper’s goal is to make it more accessible to even first time smartphone users, so that its promise can be realised,” he added.
Launched in 2014, Wiper is part of a new wave of ephemeral messaging services that allow users to erase, or ‘wipe’ their conversations. The app also offers encrypted messages and phone calls, music streaming and, as of February, an embedded bitcoin wallet.
Once they’ve opted in, any Wiper user can send bitcoin to and receive bitcoin from their contacts within the app. Though Wiper would not disclose exactly how many wallets have been opened so far, Carelli said he has been particularly pleased with the response from Wiper’s asian user base.