Facebook has bought a Blockchain company that was founded by University College of London researchers who specialize in Smart Contracts. 

The deal is rumored to have been driven to help Facebook secure talent in this highly competitive blockchain sector as opposed to buying a profitable business. Facebook on 21/12/18 announced that it was looking at launching its own Cryptocurrency to run via WhatsApp and to initially be launched in India. Facebook as at the end of 2018 was sitting on over $41billion in cash and with a stranglehold along with Google over digital online advertising it is in a very strong position to complete further deals in this rapidly developing sector.
https://breakermag.com/facebooks-chainspace-acq...the-world/