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 WoS
According 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 Apps
A 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.
Also Read: MetaMask Removed From Apple App Store
Legal Challenges and Class-Action Lawsuit
The 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.
Also Read: Apple Faces Lawsuit For Blocking Crypto Payment Tech