Through a partnership with MOL – the online micropayment company that bought Friendster about 7 months ago — Facebook is making its virtual currency, Facebook Credits, available at a large network of retail outlets around Asia and Australia.
MOL has its own virtual currency — MOLPoints. In a few months, Facebook users will be able to buy Facebook Credits using their MOLPoints, trading one virtual currency for another. They’ll also be able to buy Facebook Credits outright at certain locations.
MOLPoints bought at half a million outlets throughout Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, India, Australia and New Zealand can be used to purchase Facebook Credits.
At some stores in some countries, users will be able to buy co-branded gift cards redeemable for Facebook Credits. You’ll also see Facebook Credits sold at MOL’s online banks, in Internet cafes and at 7-Eleven stores.
We’re told by a Facebook rep that in these parts of the world, many consumers use prepaid cards instead of credit cards for online purchases; the MOL partnership will make it much simpler for this group of people to buy and spend Facebook Credits, creating more invested users in Asia and more profits for the social network, itself.
Vaughan Smith is Facebook’s director of business and corporate development. In a press release, he stated, “We’re investing in the long-term future of Facebook Credits, and we view this agreement as a major opportunity to broaden the availability of a simple, unified currency that can be used in games and applications across Facebook.”
Facebook Credits have already been shown to be a solid revenue stream for this site. And the mobile- and web-connected millions in these countries could provide a significant boost to this program if the MOL partnership takes off.
What are your thoughts? Do you think Facebook should work out more offline Credits-purchasing deals in the U.S., too? Let us know your opinions in the comments.
More About: facebook, facebook credits, MOL, virtual currency
For more Social Media coverage:
- Follow Mashable Social Media on Twitter
- Become a Fan on Facebook
- Subscribe to the Social Media channel
- Download our free apps for iPhone and iPad