Wallet of Satoshi Lightning Payments App Disappears from US App Stores
Users Shocked as Wallet of Satoshi App Vanishes from US App Stores
On November 24, users and members of the crypto community were surprised to discover that the Wallet of Satoshi (WoS) Lightning payments app was no longer available for download on Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store in the United States. Many users took to Twitter to share their shock after attempting to search for the app and finding no results or being redirected to other competing wallet apps.
One user posted a screenshot showing the absence of the WoS app on the US App Store, sparking speculation about a potential ban. However, at the time of writing, the app remained available for download on the Australian Apple App Store and the Australian and Singapore Google Play Store versions.
Wallet of Satoshi Nears 1 Million Transactions in November
Despite its sudden disappearance from the US App Stores, Wallet of Satoshi has been experiencing a surge in activity. The popular Lightning payments platform is on track to process over 1.1 million Lightning payments in November. Industry author and podcaster Kevin Rooke highlighted the milestone, stating that it would be the company’s largest month of Lightning payments ever.
When reached for comment, both Apple and Wallet of Satoshi did not immediately respond, leaving the reason for the app’s removal from the US App Stores unclear.
Rumors of Taxation and Anti-Competitive Agreements
Some speculate that the removal of the WoS app may be related to Apple’s strict policies on in-app payments. Apple imposes a hefty 30% tax on in-app payments and maintains tight control over in-app transactions, which has been a barrier for many crypto platforms seeking a presence in the App Store. Additionally, a group of disgruntled PayPal Venmo and Block Cash App users recently filed a class-action lawsuit against Apple, alleging anti-competitive agreements that restrict the use of crypto technology on iOS.
This is not the first time Apple has faced criticism for its treatment of crypto apps. In the past, the company delisted the Nostr-based Damus app over a Bitcoin tip feature and briefly pulled the MetaMask wallet app from the App Store.
As the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Wallet of Satoshi from the US App Stores continues, the crypto community eagerly awaits further details from both Apple and the WoS team.
I have been a full-time professional writer for over 10 years, and have written for some of the biggest publications in the world. My work revolves around cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, and I am widely considered to be one of the leading experts in these fields.I have written two books on the subject matter, and my articles have been featured in major news outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Huffington Post. In addition to writing, I also give talks and seminars on cryptocurrency investing, and am a regular commentator on CNBC, Bloomberg, and other financial news networks.
