This news seems real. But not sure about the level of privacy we get with these anonymous numbers. Are they safe just like our normal number??
$16 sounds expensive just to get a phone number so I'd hope something like that was secure. I've seen hosting providers charge that as an annual rental of a static IP address too so perhaps that's how much each cost.
And I do think email would be superior to both of these too but perhaps there's an app you have to install with the number that makes it a bit more secure than a passworded email in some cases (like when users pick bad passwords).
There are many services that will allow you to register telegrams and accounts of other popular messengers for 0.1-2 dollars, depending on the chosen country. But on average, it costs no more than $ 1.
And any wallet that is connected to the phone is either not secure or not confidential.