Apple To Allow Bitcoin Apps On The App Store
Apple made a huge amount of announcements today as it pertains to OS X and iOS 8, but one theme managed to translate throughout: it's opening itself up a bit more than it has in the past. That means that third-party keyboard apps will now be supported throughout the OS, and third-party apps will have access to the Touch ID fingerprint sensor. Beyond all of that, it appears that even Bitcoin will be supported within iOS 8, which is a direct 180 from Apple's stance just a few months ago.
The company had been fair heavy-handed with its disapproval of apps related to the virtual currency, and while it has yet to come out and straight-up confirm that Bitcoin will be allowed into the iOS ecosystem this fall, a new guideline in the Apple Developer literature sheds a bit of light: "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."
Of course, regulations surrounding Bitcoin have improved in recent months, which may have triggered the change of heart. This also opens the door for future virtual currencies to find a place on the iPhone, which some suggest could be the final major component to these currencies truly taking hold and crossing over into the mainstream.
Here's the real question: will Apple allow you to buy your next iPhone with Bitcoin?
The company had been fair heavy-handed with its disapproval of apps related to the virtual currency, and while it has yet to come out and straight-up confirm that Bitcoin will be allowed into the iOS ecosystem this fall, a new guideline in the Apple Developer literature sheds a bit of light: "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."
Of course, regulations surrounding Bitcoin have improved in recent months, which may have triggered the change of heart. This also opens the door for future virtual currencies to find a place on the iPhone, which some suggest could be the final major component to these currencies truly taking hold and crossing over into the mainstream.
Here's the real question: will Apple allow you to buy your next iPhone with Bitcoin?
