The New Zapple Pay Service: A Workaround for Apple’s Bitcoin Restrictions
Last month, Apple threatened to remove the Bitcoin-friendly social media app Damus from its App Store for allowing users to tip each other with bitcoin. However, two independent developers have now created a workaround called Zapple Pay that enables users to send tips via emojis, bypassing Apple’s restrictions. This new third-party payment service claims to be independent of Damus and works on any app that runs on the Nostr protocol. Since Zapple Pay is not affiliated with Damus, it remains unclear if Apple can take action against the app. The developers behind Zapple Pay, Ben Carman and Paul Miller, also co-founded the Mutiny wallet.
Key Points:
- Apple threatened to remove Damus app for allowing bitcoin tips
- Zapple Pay enables users to send tips via emojis
- Developers claim no affiliation with Damus
- Nostr protocol allows the service to work on any app
- Apple’s ability to take action against Zapple Pay is uncertain
Hot Take
Zapple Pay’s workaround to Apple’s bitcoin restrictions is a clever solution that gives users the ability to continue tipping each other on Damus and potentially other social networks. It remains to be seen if Apple will take any action against Zapple Pay, but the developers are prepared to replicate the functionality on other platforms if necessary. This situation highlights the ongoing challenge of regulating cryptocurrencies and the power dynamics between tech giants and independent developers.
By
By
By
By
By
By