Apple has chosen to remove the world's most popular Bitcoin wallet app from its App Store without an explanation and no chance for appeal. The app in question is called Blockchain and it has been on the App Store for the last two years. The app is used by over 120,000 iPhone and iPad users to send and receive bitcoin, the world's most popular digital currency.
Despite the removal, Blockchain users will be able to continue using the app. However, downloading software updates will be out of the question.
This move by Apple should not come as a surprise to anyone, as the company had already removed similar apps from the App Store, such as BitPak, Coinjar and Coinbase in the past. Furthermore, Apple has insisted that the developers of Gliph, an encrypted messaging app, remove the option that allows users to send bitcoin.
Blockchain CEO Nicolas Cary said Apple is pulling Bitcoin apps because it threatens the company, which plans on launching its own wallet app for iOS. However, according to others, the confusing international regulations surrounding bitcoin could be the reason why Apple is removing bitcoin-related apps from the App Store.
"These actions by Apple once again demonstrate the anti-competitive and capricious nature of the App Store policies that are clearly focused on preserving Apple's monopoly on payments rather than based on any consideration of the needs and desires of their users," says Blockchain in a press release. "[The app] had no customer complaints, and a broad user base. The only thing that has changed is that bitcoin has become competitive to Apple's own payment system. By removing the Blockchain app, the only bitcoin wallet application on the App store, Apple has eliminated competition using their monopolistic position in the market in a heavy handed manner."
Things might not turn out as Apple has hoped, however, because Kyle Drake, lead developer at Coinpunk.com, is rallying the community to make their voice heard, in hopes that users' demands will help change Apple's mind.
"Bitcoin users, we need your help. We need you to take a stand against Apple, make noise, complain and show Apple that there will be consequences to their actions," says Drake.
However, if Apple is indeed working on its own wallet app for iOS, then no amount of complaining or noise will make a difference.
