Apple Deletes Wallet of Satoshi Amid Bitcoin Lightning Payment Boom

• Unexpected Removal of Bitcoin Lightning Wallet of Satoshi from US App Stores
• WoS's Remarkable Performance in November
• Possible Factors Behind WoS's Removal - Apple's Stringent Control Over Crypto Apps
• Previous Instances of Cryptocurrency Apps Targeted by Apple
• Legal Challenges and Class-Action Lawsuit

Unexpected Removal of Bitcoin Lightning Wallet of Satoshi from US App Stores

The Bitcoin$42,260 -0.64% Lightning payments platform, Wallet of Satoshi (WoS), has suddenly become unavailable on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in the United States. The disappearance of the app has caused quite a stir among its users, especially considering its imminent achievement of executing over one million transactions in the month of November alone. Despite its removal from the app stores in the U.S, it remains accessible in Australia.

WoS's Remarkable Performance in November

Industry commentator and podcaster Kevin Rooke has highlighted that WoS was on track to process more than 1.1 million Bitcoin Lightning payments in November. This projected figure suggests a significant growth in transaction volume, indicating the platform's increasing popularity and efficacy in the world of cryptocurrency. The unanticipated disappearance of the app from prominent app stores has added an unexpected twist to what was shaping up to be a record-breaking month for WoS.

Possible Factors Behind WoS's Removal - Apple's Stringent Control Over Crypto Apps

Speculation around the sudden removal of WoS points towards Apple's strict policies and the substantial fees it imposes on in-app transactions. Known for its 30% charge on app-based transactions, Apple's tight control over the App Store represents a significant hurdle for cryptocurrency platforms seeking exposure. This has led to several crypto apps, including WoS, clashing with Apple's policies.

Previous Instances of Cryptocurrency Apps Targeted by Apple

This is not the first time Apple has removed a cryptocurrency app from its platform. In June, it delisted the Damus app, based on Nostr, due to its Bitcoin tip feature. Apple also temporarily removed the MetaMask wallet app in October, only to restore it later. These instances underline the ongoing tension between Apple's app policies and the decentralized disposition of cryptocurrencies.

Legal Challenges and Class-Action Lawsuit

The removal of WoS coincides with a class-action lawsuit lodged on November 17 by disgruntled users of payment platforms PayPal, Venmo, and Block Cash App. The lawsuit alleges that Apple entered into anti-competitive agreements with PayPal and Block, limiting the usage of cryptocurrency technology and payments on iOS. Although the precise link between the lawsuit and WoS's disappearance is still murky, it further complicates the situation.

As the cryptocurrency community awaits an official statement regarding WoS's removal from the US app stores, questions about the future of cryptocurrency apps on these platforms persist. The event underscores the difficulties faced by the cryptocurrency sector when operating within the strict regulations and policies set by major app store operators, especially Apple. In the constantly changing digital finance arena, these incidents bring to light broader concerns about the compatibility of traditional app marketplaces and the decentralized spirit of cryptocurrencies.

Edited by Jonathan Stoker