The widely-used Bitcoin Lightning payments application, Wallet of Satoshi (WoS), has mysteriously disappeared from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in the United States. This development is particularly significant for WoS, given that it is on the brink of facilitating over 1 million transactions in November. This marks its highest monthly record for Lightning payments. While the application is still accessible for download on platforms in Australia, its removal from the US stores has triggered speculation and unease within the cryptocurrency community.Impressive November Performance of WoSAccording to industry commentator and podcaster Kevin Rooke, Wallet of Satoshi was poised to process more than 1.1 million Bitcoin Lightning payments in November alone. This surge in transaction volume represents a noteworthy achievement for the platform. It further showcases its increasing popularity and effectiveness in the cryptocurrency realm. Rooke highlighted that this November would be WoS’s most substantial month for Lightning payments to date. He also underscored the significance of its sudden disappearance from major app stores.Apple’s Tight Grip on Crypto AppsA plausible explanation for WoS’s removal from the US app stores could be attributed to Apple’s rigorous policies and the substantial fees imposed on in-app payments. Apple is notorious for its 30% tax on transactions within apps. Its strict control over the App Store often acts as a barrier for cryptocurrency platforms seeking visibility on the platform. This ongoing issue has affected numerous crypto apps. WoS has become the latest casualty in Apple’s ongoing conflict with the cryptocurrency industry.This isn’t the first instance of Apple targeting cryptocurrency apps. In June, the company delisted the Damus app, which was based on Nostr, due to its Bitcoin tip feature. Additionally, Apple briefly removed the MetaMask wallet app from the App Store in October, only to reinstate it later. These incidents underscore the ongoing struggle between Apple’s app policies and the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies.Legal Challenges and Class-Action LawsuitThe removal of WoS coincides with a class-action lawsuit filed on Nov. 17 by dissatisfied users of payment platforms PayPal Venmo and Block Cash App. The lawsuit alleges that Apple engaged in anti-competitive agreements with PayPal and Block, restricting the utilization of cryptocurrency technology and payments on iOS. While the precise connection between the lawsuit and WoS’s disappearance remains unclear, it adds a layer of complexity to the unfolding situation.As users and the cryptocurrency community anticipate an official explanation for the disappearance of Wallet of Satoshi from the US app stores of Apple and Google, uncertainties regarding the future of cryptocurrency apps on these platforms loom large. This incident highlights the challenges encountered by the cryptocurrency industry in navigating the stringent regulations and policies imposed by major app store operators, particularly Apple. In the continually evolving landscape of digital finance, such events raise broader concerns about the coexistence of traditional app marketplaces and the decentralized ethos of cryptocurrencies.#BTC #Apple

Will Apple's Controversial Guidelines Stifle the Growth of Crypto-Based Social Media?

In an unexpected turn of events, #Apple has decided to remove the decentralized social platform #Damus from its App Store. The cause? Damus' unique Bitcoin tipping feature, or "zaps" as it's known among users.⚡

But what's behind this tussle, and why does it matter? Let's delve into the fine print.

The Backstory

Heralded as a rival to Twitter, Damus is an innovative application built on the Nostr decentralized social platform. Interestingly, Nostr has been backed by none other than Twitter's own Jack Dorsey.

The Damus application took the social media space by storm with its "zaps" feature. This allows users to tip their favorite posts using #bitcoin . But while this feature has been a hit with users, it hasn't won over everyone—specifically, the team behind Apple's App Store.

Apple Vs. Damus: The Bitcoin Tipping Dilemma

Apple's App Store review process raised an eyebrow at the "zaps" feature, perceiving these Bitcoin tips as in-app purchases of digital content. According to Apple's policy, such purchases should only be conducted via Apple's in-app purchase system.

The situation culminated when Apple gave Damus a two-week notice to remove this feature, citing a violation of Guideline 3.1.1 - business payments. In a bid to uphold its unique selling point, Damus replied to Apple's concerns by explaining that no in-app content was unlocked by providing a tip. However, their defense fell on deaf ears.

source: nostr

Understanding Apple's Stance

Apple's stern stand on the issue has sparked controversy and raised questions about its guidelines. Over the years, these guidelines have often been criticized, especially when it comes to discussions about cryptocurrency. It's worth noting that Apple wants to maintain control over transactions on its platform to the extent legally permissible, and Bitcoin tipping seemingly undermines that control.

While Damus argues that no content is being unlocked via a tip, which indeed seems to be the case, the crux of the issue lies elsewhere. Apple is presumably more concerned about transactions, including Bitcoin tips, that could be regulated via in-app purchases.

The Road Ahead for Damus

So what's next for Damus?

It is likely that Damus could adapt its tipping feature to work through in-app purchased coins, which could then be converted to currency. But the volatile nature of Bitcoin adds a layer of complexity that makes such a simple exchange challenging.

Barring any unexpected developments, Damus is scheduled for removal from the App Store on June 27. The outcome remains uncertain, as either side may yield, or Apple might craft a new guideline that more specifically categorizes tipping as an in-app purchase.

Conclusion

The Damus vs. Apple saga is a perfect example of how the intersection of #cryptocurrency and app store policies can lead to unexpected challenges. As the world of technology continues to evolve, situations like this will likely become more common, prompting a need for more nuanced and flexible regulations. Until then, all eyes will be on Damus and Apple, eagerly waiting to see the ripple effect of their dispute on the wider tech landscape.

$BTC

The Bitcoin Whitepaper, published by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008, has become the cornerstone of the cryptocurrency world. However, an interesting discovery has been made recently: the Whitepaper appears to be included by default on #Apple MacBook computers. This discovery was made by tech expert Andy Baio and detailed in a blog post.

Baio came across a device called Virtual Scanner II while trying to repair his printer. He noticed that the device displayed a default image and changed the media type to "Document". This revealed Nakamoto's Bitcoin Whitepaper.

Baio also noted that he was able to view the Bitcoin Whitepaper by entering a command in the terminal application on MacBook computers.

However, it was noted that the Whitepaper was not present on older versions of macOS. Therefore, it remains unclear why the Whitepaper was hidden in newer macOS versions and what purpose it serves.

This discovery shows that Apple users can access the Bitcoin Whitepaper with just a few commands. However, the reason for keeping the Whitepaper hidden by default and why it is included in newer macOS versions remains unclear. Some users speculate that Apple may be taking steps to learn more about #bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. However, the company has not made any statements regarding this discovery.

In conclusion, the discovery that Apple may have hidden the Bitcoin Whitepaper on MacBook computers by default is intriguing. However, the reason and purpose for hiding the Whitepaper remains unknown. This discovery could help Apple users better understand the features on their computers.

#Binance #crypto2023 #BNB