Apple CEO Tim Cook says he owns cryptocurrency, reveals plans of accepting crypto through Apple Pay

Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that he has invested money in cryptocurrencies. During the New York Times Dealbook conference, when Cook was asked if he was considering cryptocurrency as a form of payment, he revealed that he owns cryptocurrencies, but that the investment was from a personal point of view. However, Cook said the company is toying with the cryptocurrency idea, but has no immediate plans to launch any crypto-related offerings.

Cook, in an interview with Andrew Ross Sorkin, shared that the company may consider accepting cryptocurrency as a form of payment, but may not launch the services immediately. He also revealed that there are areas of Apple's business where he would not want to consider crypto payments.

“In a way, I would characterize it because there are things it wouldn't do, like our cash balance. I wouldn't invest that in cryptocurrencies, not because I wouldn't invest my own money in cryptocurrencies, but because I don't think people buy Apple stocks to expose themselves to cryptocurrencies. So if they want to do that, they can directly invest in cryptocurrencies through other means, ”Cook explained.

Cook also revealed that he has invested in cryptocurrencies when asked if he owns Bitcoin or Ehtherium. “I think it is reasonable to own it as part of a diversified portfolio. By the way, I am not giving investment advice to anyone. It has interested me for a while. I've been researching it and so forth ... I think it's interesting, ”he said. He did not specify in which currency he has invested.

Cook also talked about NFTs and said he finds them interesting. However, he also said that "it will take a while for it to develop in a way that is for the common person."

During the conference, Cook was also asked to comment on installing apps via download.

“If you want to do a side download, you can buy an Android phone. That choice exists when you walk into the carrier's store. If that is important to you, then you should buy an Android phone. It is too risky to do that. It wouldn't be an iPhone if it didn't maximize security and privacy, ”he said.