Taking a cue from its rival WhatsApp, the fast-growing encrypted messaging app Signal has announced to let users send money in cryptocurrency to friends and relatives, as it tests a new peer-to-peer payments system in the beta version of its app. Called Signal Payments, the new feature that is available in the UK first will currently support a privacy-focused payments network called MobileCoin, which has its own currency, MOB. "As always, our goal is to keep your data in your hands rather than ours; MobileCoin's design means Signal does not have access to your balance, full transaction history, or funds," said Jun Harada, Signal's head of growth and communication.