Facebook cryptocurrency token may be very ‘important’ to company: RBC

RBC Capital Markets believes that Facebook has a “crypto opportunity,” explaining in a note to investors the firm’s high expectation for the tech giant’s coming cryptocurrency announcement. 

“We believe this may prove to be one of the most important initiatives in the history of the company to unlock new engagement and revenue streams,” RBC analyst Mark Mahaney said in a note on Thursday evening.

RBC expects Facebook will release a “white paper” on June 18 to explain the companies long-term strategy for the cryptocurrency, or “token.” The company’s crypto offering was reported earlier this month and is expected to allow Facebook employees to take their salary in the form of the new currency. Mahaney said RBC plans to give an analysis of the paper when it’s released, “to help investors analyze the underlying cryptoeconomics of the token.”

“We believe Facebook will use crypto to facilitate a platform for: 1) Payments; 2) Commerce; and 3) Applications & Gaming,” Mahaney said.

RBC has an outperform rating on Facebook with a price target of $250 a share. Facebook’s stock is up more than 35% this year as of Thursday’s close of $177.47 a share.