[ceejayoz]

> Apple is trying to block Bitcoin on the iPhone to anti-competitively prop up their own crappy payments system, at the expense of hard working merchants that want to accept Bitcoin at their stores.

Oh, FFS. No, Apple isn't blocking Bitcoin out of fear it'll supplant IAP. They're almost certainly concerned about regulatory issues if the Feds decide to go after Bitcoin.

[eudoxus]

Regulatory issues against bitcoin seems like a far less likley (and indirect) reason for Apple to remove Bitcoin apps from the App store over the them being afraid of competition with their own payment platform.

Just my ฿0.00002

[corporatesans]

The terms around IAP state that "content, functionality, and services" used in an app must be purchased using IAP.

Further, you may not complete a checkout process by linking to an external site.

Critically, if an app uses IAP to purchase goods or services to be used or consumed outside the app, it will be rejected.

Bottom line if you want to sell socks, sandwiches, or massages for USD in an app, you can, but your checkout process must be native.

Competition with IAP is not at issue here.

[LandoCalrissian]

I assume this is the reason too, I would think they have something in their terms regarding payment structures that don't use their built in payment system.

[alexmat]

Why isn't Google concerned about blocking it on Android?

[Pxtl]

Because Google doesn't really pay attention to things that can't be handled in an automated fashion.