Too little, too late? Apple allows apps transmitting "virtual currency"

Apple has issued an "App Store Review Guidelines" document on its developer website which appears to allow for apps transmitting bitcoins.

This comes months after Apple made enemies in the Bitcoin Bitcoin While some may still be wondering what is Bitcoin, who created Bitcoin, or how does Bitcoin work, one thing is certain: Bitcoin has changed the world.No one can remain indifferent to this revolutionary, decentralized, digital asset nor to its blockchain technology.In fact, we’ve gone a long way ever since a Florida resident Laszlo Hanyecz made BTC’s first official commercial transaction with a real company by trading 10,000 Bitcoins for 2 pizzas at his local Papa John’s.One could now argue that While some may still be wondering what is Bitcoin, who created Bitcoin, or how does Bitcoin work, one thing is certain: Bitcoin has changed the world.No one can remain indifferent to this revolutionary, decentralized, digital asset nor to its blockchain technology.In fact, we’ve gone a long way ever since a Florida resident Laszlo Hanyecz made BTC’s first official commercial transaction with a real company by trading 10,000 Bitcoins for 2 pizzas at his local Papa John’s.One could now argue that Read this Term world when they removed the Blockchain Blockchain Blockchain comprises a digital network of blocks with a comprehensive ledger of transactions made in a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or other altcoins.One of the signature features of blockchain is that it is maintained across more than one computer. The ledger can be public or private (permissioned.) In this sense, blockchain is immune to the manipulation of data making it not only open but verifiable. Because a blockchain is stored across a network of computers, it is very difficult to tampe Blockchain comprises a digital network of blocks with a comprehensive ledger of transactions made in a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or other altcoins.One of the signature features of blockchain is that it is maintained across more than one computer. The ledger can be public or private (permissioned.) In this sense, blockchain is immune to the manipulation of data making it not only open but verifiable. Because a blockchain is stored across a network of computers, it is very difficult to tampe Read this Term app from its App Store, citing an "unresolved issue". This was the last of bitcoin wallet apps to be removed following Coinbase's removal in November. Another by Gliph had to cut out payment functionality in order to remain in the store.

Some lobbied iPhone users to switch to Android and even shared guidelines on how to get out of contracts.

The document contains hundreds of miscellaneous guidelines for app development. Buried at the end of Section 11, which deals with purchasing and currency related matters, is the piece on virtual currencies:

"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."

Some have wondered what is meant by an "approved virtual currency". Skeptics believe that it will give Apple more "wiggle room" to reject apps.

Others still are furthering conspiracy theories of Apple's anti-Bitcoin position, musing that it's all a ploy to get people to buy more iPhones. The latest terminology of iPump and iDump seems to be gaining traction as well.

The reason for the sudden shift in policy is unclear. Google's Android has never imposed such restrictions on bitcoin-related apps, save for those acting maliciously. In general, Apple has been struggling to keep pace with the increasingly popular Android and perhaps have been actively reviewing initiatives on how to grow their competitive edge.