Back in January, Apple removed popular Bitcoin app Blockchain from the App Store, after cracking down on several other apps that allowed users to send and receive bitcoin, including Coinbase and Gliph.
Apple's official policy prohibits content that "enables, facilitates, or encourages an activity" that not all countries deem legal, which has left Bitcoin-based apps in a bit of a gray area policy wise.
As of today, Blockchain has returned to the App Store, once again giving iOS users a way to send and receive bitcoin payments, reports bitcoin news site CoinDesk.
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According to CoinDesk, Apple announced a more open policy towards bitcoin apps during its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, which has led to the return of bitcoin apps to the App Store. From Blockchain CEO Nicolas Cary:
The moment Apple signalled a shift in their policy toward digital currency apps, we pulled the iOS project off the shelf and got to work. We wanted to use this as an opportunity to improve the wallet, but we were still apprehensive about dedicating huge amounts of engineering time because it wasn't clear what types of apps would get through the submission and approval process.
Blockchain for iOS has been redesigned and built from the ground up to improve both security and performance. Along with giving users a way to send and exchange bitcoin, the new Blockchain app can also be used to make purchases from merchants that accept bitcoin, both in physical stores and online.
According to Blockchain's CEO, iOS is an important platform for the company and in the future, the app will be updated to include Android features like the Merchant Map.
Blockchain can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
Top Rated Comments
Cool. Thanks for the insight into WBRacing.
I think it's important for the App Store to allow apps like Blockchain, so I'm very happy Apple reversed course on the matter. I'm excited to see what the future holds for virtual currencies, and it's good to know Apple won't be one of the many roadblocks against which they have to contend.
Here here. I want apple to filter viruses and prevent the theft of software with their app store and that is it. I want everything else to be open to innovation, not subject to regulatory whim.
well that didn't last long....getting message saying that it is no longer available for purchase
oop, it's back up now.
I wonder if the app is offering backups of currency though, with iCloud drive they really should so that your money is always safe and sound even if you loose your phone and didn't want to use a third party.
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I keep getting "The item you tried to buy no longer available."
Anyone else getting this all morning?
Works here...
Apple's official policy prohibits content that "enables, facilitates, or encourages an activity" that not all countries deem legal, which has left Bitcoin-based apps in a bit of a gray area policy wise.
Um... Music is basically illegal in Saudi Arabia. I look forward to Apple removing Pandora from the store forthwith.On the flip side, online poker for real money is legal in lots of places outside of the U.S. So why aren't they available in the store?
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sweet
And with that, the full and complete value of the MacRumors forums and comment system has been realized.
We can all now go home.