While I agree big tech is the antithesis of the blockchain "spirit", I doubt they chose to block would-be competitors in anticipation of their own offering. The feeling I get is that everyone is/was tiptoeing around the whole matter due to compliance worries, until there was enough regulatory confidence to make a move. There's also the matter of how exactly Paypal is going to deal in crypto: the Revolut (and others?) model where you own only whatever crypto you buy on their platform, or the real deal where you can also deposit/withdraw cryptocurrencies.
Either way, it's a step that highlights regulatory progress being made. It may not be the blockchain spirit, but alas that may not be what ultimately prevails.
Either way, it's a step that highlights regulatory progress being made. It may not be the blockchain spirit, but alas that may not be what ultimately prevails.