One astute Reddit user has noticed that Microsoft’s Excel now displays Bitcoin (BTC) as a currency.
Even more interesting is how one Microsoft employee posted an image where it shows Excel providing real-time prices for Bitcoin, Ethereum (ETH), and Ripple (XRP).
Some users, referring to the quick conclusion that cryptoenthusiasts often make when it comes to such changes, have joked that “Microsoft has partnered with Bitcoin.”
Jokes aside, Microsoft has been working ever closer with blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Stratis has been recognized as an independent software vendor by Microsoft. The former is a Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) project that aims to make blockchain development easier for businesses. Notably, it has backed institutional investment firm Bakkt and has also released a development kit for Ethereum on its Azure cloud service.
The latter also supports development of other blockchain platforms and its Azure service is genuinely aiming to make development easier.
But perhaps most interesting is the announcement that Microsoft will build a decentralized identity solution called ION on top of the Bitcoin blockchain. Microsoft had previously shown interest in developing identity solutions built on blockchains and, indeed, they are considered one of the primary use cases for the technology.
Additionally, Microsoft is working with Louis Vuitton owner LVMH, which has launched a blockchain with Microsoft.
