The Bitcoin Lightning payment app, Wallet of Satoshi (WoS), has vanished from the US Apple App Store and Google Play Store despite nearing 1 million transactions in November. On November 24, various users and members of the cryptocurrency community shared their attempts to locate the WoS app on X (formerly Twitter), only to find no search results or being redirected to alternative wallet applications.
However, as of the present moment, the WoS app remains accessible for download in the Australian Apple App Store, as well as the Australian and Singapore versions of the Google Play Store. The Wallet of Satoshi, renowned for Lightning payments, is anticipated to process over 1.1 million Lightning payments this November, as mentioned by industry writer and podcaster Kevin Rooke. Rooke also mentioned that this month would mark the company's "biggest Lightning Payments month ever."
Despite the traction and success, Wallet of Satoshi addressed the situation in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), indicating that it hasn't been banned from the App Store. Instead, the company stated, "We have made the difficult decision to remove our apps from the U.S. Apple and Google Play stores and will not serve U.S. customers going forward." The post didn't specify the reason behind abruptly discontinuing services in the United States, hinting at the possibility of reinstating service based on "future developments." However, existing US users retain access to their BTC funds and have the option to transfer their coins to other wallets.
Apple's stringent control over in-app payments, with a substantial 30% tax, has posed a challenge for cryptocurrency platforms aiming to penetrate the App Store. Recently, on November 17, a group of unhappy PayPal Venmo and Block Cash App users filed a class-action lawsuit against Apple, alleging anti-competitive agreements that limited cryptography and payment usage on iOS.
Apple has a track record of eliminating crypto apps, including the delisting of the Nostr-based Damus app in June due to its Bitcoin tipping feature. Additionally, the MetaMask wallet app faced temporary removal from the App Store in October.
