What is MobileCoin?

MobileCoin (MOB) is a decentralized payment platform that was established in 2017 by MobileCoin Inc. It is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency that was designed to function as digital cash on mobile devices. The platform aims to provide secure, easy, fast, and encrypted transactions, striving to protect personal data. MobileCoin aims to transform the peer-to-peer (P2P) payment system, where transactions are stored on a blockchain ledger. The platform is designed to be integrated into messaging apps, allowing users to send and receive funds by entering a PIN code. MobileCoin is open-source, allowing users to verify the programming techniques. It also aims to be environmentally friendly, striving to be one of the first negative carbon cryptocurrencies in its niche.

How does MobileCoin work?

MobileCoin aims to operate by using a user's PIN code to send or receive funds. The platform strives to ensure that only the sender and receiver can check the details of transactions. Users can recover their keys with a recovery PIN, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality. The platform uses ring signatures to authenticate the ownership and use of digital assets. MobileCoin also includes features such as the MobileCoin Wallet, a noncustodial wallet available on desktop and mobile devices, and the MobileCoin Consensus Protocol (MCP), which uses the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP) to allow fast confirmation of payments and form an end-to-end encrypted environment.

What are the potential use cases for MobileCoin?

MobileCoin aims to create an end-to-end encrypted messaging platform, with the intention of becoming a universal, accessible, and sustainable payment system worldwide. The project emphasizes data encryption, with the protocol encrypting P2P transactions in seconds in a decentralized and private way. MobileCoin is developed so that messaging apps can integrate with the MobileCoin wallet, while wallets can be smoothly connected to phones. Users have access to an intuitive interface where they can send/receive values in MOB tokens, control balances, and view transaction history. MOB tokens can be integrated into messaging apps, allowing users to conduct confidential transactions and transfer funds to each other with MOB.

What is the history of MobileCoin?

MobileCoin was co-founded in 2017 by Joshua Goldbard and Shane Glynn, with its headquarters in San Francisco, California. Joshua Goldbard, the CEO of MobileCoin Inc., has a background in telecommunications and a passion for cryptography. Shane Glynn, who holds the position of General Counsel, has a law degree and a background in telecommunications and mobile devices. Moxie Marlinspike, known for his work on encrypted messaging, was reportedly a technical advisor to MobileCoin at its early stages. The network went live in December 2020, and as of March 2023, there is a circulating supply of 195,286,109 MOB, with a total supply of 250,000,000 coins.