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Bitcoin Wallet App 'Blockchain' Returns to the App Store

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MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
63,481
30,713



Back in January, Apple removed popular Bitcoin app Blockchain from the App Store, after cracking down on several other apps that allowed users to send and receive bitcoin, including Coinbase and Gliph.

Apple's official policy prohibits content that "enables, facilitates, or encourages an activity" that not all countries deem legal, which has left Bitcoin-based apps in a bit of a gray area policy wise.

As of today, Blockchain has returned to the App Store, once again giving iOS users a way to send and receive bitcoin payments, reports bitcoin news site CoinDesk.

blockchain.jpg
According to CoinDesk, Apple announced a more open policy towards bitcoin apps during its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, which has led to the return of bitcoin apps to the App Store. From Blockchain CEO Nicolas Cary:
The moment Apple signalled a shift in their policy toward digital currency apps, we pulled the iOS project off the shelf and got to work. We wanted to use this as an opportunity to improve the wallet, but we were still apprehensive about dedicating huge amounts of engineering time because it wasn't clear what types of apps would get through the submission and approval process.
Click to expand...
Blockchain for iOS has been redesigned and built from the ground up to improve both security and performance. Along with giving users a way to send and exchange bitcoin, the new Blockchain app can also be used to make purchases from merchants that accept bitcoin, both in physical stores and online.

According to Blockchain's CEO, iOS is an important platform for the company and in the future, the app will be updated to include Android features like the Merchant Map.

Blockchain can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Bitcoin Wallet App 'Blockchain' Returns to the App Store
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2014/07/28/blockchain-returns-to-app-store/
Z

Z400Racer37

macrumors 6502a
Feb 7, 2011
711
1,664
I keep getting "The item you tried to buy no longer available."

Anyone else getting this all morning?
 
A

alexgowers

macrumors 65816
Jun 3, 2012
1,338
892
Bit coin is a great idea that's been truly c##k blocked by the major banks and governments alike, nice to see apple supporting new tech and not squashing it anymore.

I wonder if the app is offering backups of currency though, with iCloud drive they really should so that your money is always safe and sound even if you loose your phone and didn't want to use a third party.

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Z400Racer37 said:
I keep getting "The item you tried to buy no longer available."

Anyone else getting this all morning?
Click to expand...

Works here...
 
aricG

aricG

macrumors newbie
Aug 26, 2013
18
7
Boulder
well that didn't last long....getting message saying that it is no longer available for purchase
 
C

CarpalMac

macrumors 68000
Nov 19, 2012
1,619
3,988
UK
I love, live and work technology and gadgets. Anything in the category that compliments life by making it more fun, interesting or easy is brilliant.

Bitcoin on the other hand is (to me at least) of no interest whatsoever. All risk and little (no) reward.

Pass.
 
iMerik

iMerik

macrumors 6502a
May 3, 2011
666
522
Upper Midwest
WBRacing said:
I love, live and work technology and gadgets. Anything in the category that compliments life by making it more fun, interesting or easy is brilliant.

Bitcoin on the other hand is (to me at least) of no interest whatsoever. All risk and little (no) reward.

Pass.
Click to expand...
Cool. Thanks for the insight into WBRacing.

I think it's important for the App Store to allow apps like Blockchain, so I'm very happy Apple reversed course on the matter. I'm excited to see what the future holds for virtual currencies, and it's good to know Apple won't be one of the many roadblocks against which they have to contend.
 
Z

Z400Racer37

macrumors 6502a
Feb 7, 2011
711
1,664
iMerik said:
Cool. Thanks for the insight into WBRacing.

I think it's important for the App Store to allow apps like Blockchain, so I'm very happy Apple reversed course on the matter. I'm excited to see what the future holds for virtual currencies, and it's good to know Apple won't be one of the many roadblocks against which they have to contend.
Click to expand...

Here here. I want apple to filter viruses and prevent the theft of software with their app store and that is it. I want everything else to be open to innovation, not subject to regulatory whim.
 
A

aacealo

macrumors member
Oct 15, 2012
34
9
I use BitCoins for a number of things. Right now there's limited user base, but the technology is compelling enough that it's hard to see it not catching on. The main thing standing in the way is the uncertain regulatory climate. This is good news for those of us who want to continue experimenting with a potentially disruptive technology. There are so many uses for "trust free" networks like the Block Chain has enabled. Currency, secure cloud storage, voting, software development, etc. it could all flop, but if it takes off, the early adopters will get rich beyond their wildest dreams, and society at large will benefit big time.
 
PocketSand11

PocketSand11

macrumors 6502a
Jun 12, 2014
688
1
~/
People still use Bitcoin? I remember that being the cool thing in 2013, a cool concept in a math-nerdy way but not very helpful. And no, "nerd" is not an insult, at least to me.
 
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A

aacealo

macrumors member
Oct 15, 2012
34
9
BitCoin is the exact opposite of inflated. Its entire history has been nothing but deflationary with a few minor inflationary drops. Inflation of currency means the value drops relative to buying power. Now if the claim were that Bitcoin was in a pricing bubble, that would be slightly different. It could be. It might not be. Right now it's a new, low-volume investment. That means its price will fluctuate more than that of other investments. Stability comes with user base.
 
C

CarpalMac

macrumors 68000
Nov 19, 2012
1,619
3,988
UK
iMerik said:
Cool. Thanks for the insight into WBRacing.

I think it's important for the App Store to allow apps like Blockchain, so I'm very happy Apple reversed course on the matter. I'm excited to see what the future holds for virtual currencies, and it's good to know Apple won't be one of the many roadblocks against which they have to contend.
Click to expand...

Cool. It's good to know what you think is important and are excited about. ;)
 
nsayer

nsayer

macrumors 65816
Jan 23, 2003
1,249
775
Silicon Valley
Apple's official policy prohibits content that "enables, facilitates, or encourages an activity" that not all countries deem legal, which has left Bitcoin-based apps in a bit of a gray area policy wise.
Click to expand...

Um... Music is basically illegal in Saudi Arabia. I look forward to Apple removing Pandora from the store forthwith.

On the flip side, online poker for real money is legal in lots of places outside of the U.S. So why aren't they available in the store?

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SHNXX said:
sweet
Click to expand...

And with that, the full and complete value of the MacRumors forums and comment system has been realized.

We can all now go home.
 
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