Blockchain Bitcoin Wallet Returns to Apple's App Store

Blockchain has announced that its bitcoin wallet app for iOS has returned to Apple's App Store, more then five months after being banned by the Cupertino company.

The announcement marks a major shift in Apple's attitude towards bitcoin, which has previously provoked widespread criticism from the cryptocurrency community.

"We're very excited to continue investing in iOS again and working with Apple to reimagine how the world transacts," said Nicolas Cary, CEO of Blockchain.

Blockchain had previously branded Apple as "anticompetitive" and "capricious" for removing its app from the App Store.

At the time of the ban being imposed in February, Blockchain's app had received over 120,000 downloads, making it the most downloaded bitcoin wallet. Across all platforms, Blockchain's wallet has around 1.9 million users around the world.

The new iOS wallet has been rebuilt with a stronger focus on security and usability, with the intention of attracting new users to the bitcoin ecosystem.

Android takes the initiative

Following an aggressive year-long campaign by Apple against bitcoin and bitcoin-related apps, the company quietly and unexpectedly updated its App Store Review Guidelines last month.

"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," the guidelines read.

At the time, Cary told IBTimes UK that although the policy update was encouraging for the bitcoin community, developers may be hesitant in the future to adopt the iOS platform.

"Perhaps they were misinformed but their 'wait-and-see' approach was a strategic mistake," Cary said. "Android has definitely taken the early lead in fintech and bitcoin software."