Bitcoin Forum

Apple seems to be finally getting ready to allow apps that deal in Bitcoin and other digital currencies in its App Store.

An update to its App Store Review Guidelines emphasizes that apps for transmitting “approved virtual currencies” may be allowed—as long as they do not break any laws.


The relevant clause in the “Purchasing and Currencies” section reads as follows: “Apps may facilitate transmission of approved virtual currencies provided that they do so in compliance with all state and federal laws for the territories in which the app functions.”

The legality of Bitcoin differs across jurisdictions and countries. Last year, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued guidelines about virtual currency, saying administrators and exchangers are subject to its regulations.

Apple didn’t provide any details about its new rule, and did not immediately respond to a request for more information.

The update on Monday came as Apple announced a range of new features and products at its Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco including OS X Yosemite and iOS 8.

Apple had been firmly opposed to Bitcoin wallet apps, withdrawing them from its App Store. The removals included Blockchain, a popular Bitcoin wallet app that had apparently been on the store for two years with 120,000 downloads.

On the Blockchain blog in February, backers slammed the tech giant for the “anti-competitive and capricious nature of the App Store policies.”

An online petition to allow Bitcoin wallets on iPhone had garnered 6,000 signatures.

“It looks like Apple saw the incoming Bitcoin tsunami and decided that they better be ready for it rather than get washed away.”—Roger Ver, Bitcoin investor
Gliph, a secure texting and Bitcoin payment app, had also been targeted by Apple. It was asked to remove the ability to send bitcoin from its iOS 7 app.

“It is unclear immediately how this affects successful submission of Bitcoin-transmitting applications into the app store,” the Gliph developers wrote in a blog post in response to the update to the App Store Guidelines.

Some Bitcoin enthusiasts, however, were optimistic.

“It looks like Apple saw the incoming Bitcoin tsunami and decided that they better be ready for it rather than get washed away,” Bitcoin investor Roger Ver wrote in an email.

“This move will certainly help Apple maintain their relevance and will help Bitcoin spread to an even larger audience.”

I bet this guy feels pretty good now  ::)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=619681.0

Well it certainly looks as though its been aimed at Bitcoin - what other virtual currency is big enough to qualify that developers would bother with a phone wallet? It'll be interesting to see what Apple does when the first wallet app gets sent to Apple again for approval. I wonder what made them decide to change their mind...

it is good news!It will spread BTC more. I don't understand why they withdraw apps related to BTC?

I'm sure there are about four guys who care one way or the other.

Hope they will move towards BTC integration faster and faster

It is surprising that online wallets have not yet resubmitted their application to the App Store, even though they have already acknowledged that they would.

It is good to hear and will be interesting to see what new apps are submitted.  8)

One area of concern would be if the wallets have anything to do with the app store 30% cut.  ::)

Hopefully it will not as the previous wallets did not have anything like that.

Also, even if new apps are submitted now it takes time for them to be reviewed. It may take months for some of the new wallets to actually hit the app store.

coinjar got theirs readded within a day

blockchain seems to be taking their time

with these new apps ppl will here more and learn more bout bitcoin

Apple's strategy
1. Ban Bitcoin apps
2. People smash their iPhones
3. Allow Bitcoin apps
4. People buy new iPhones

4. People buy new iPhones with bitcoin

5. iTunes adds Bitcoin as a payment option

6. Satoshi Nakamoto buys Apple

7. Satoshi sells Apple in exchange for lifetime free lunch

8. Classic Satoshi

9: Invites Dorian

Fuck Apple

10: Moon?

11. Yes

Lol nice thread guyz  ;D