Does Apple plan to support cryptocurrency in a future version of iOS, for example in the Wallet app? According to a recently posted vacancy, that may well be possible. The iPhone manufacturer is looking for an ‘experienced’ business development manager to get so-called ‘alternative payment partnerships’ going. The word “cryptocurrencies” doesn’t appear in the vacancy until later – but apparently that’s one of the alternative partnerships.
A new member to the Wallet team
The new role joins the team currently responsible for Apple Wallet and Payment Services and Commerce. A lot of innovations in iOS 15 are already planned for Wallet. The candidate should have at least five years of experience with ‘alternative payment services’, including digital wallets and cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Litecoin. Furthermore, Apple requires ‘deep knowledge’ of the legal regulations surrounding crypto. The new Apple employee is also expected to be familiar with most FinTech products. This includes PayPal, for example, but also newcomers such as Satispay.
Bitcoin integrated into Wallet?
It is conceivable that Apple will include cryptocurrencies in the Wallet app in the future. Currently, Bitcoin, Litecoin and others can only be used through dedicated apps. For a long time, Apple simply didn’t refuse apps from this category from the App Store. Much to the frustration of the crypto exchange Coinbase, which even talked about Apple working against innovations.
Crypto companies are afraid of Apple
According to Coinbase, many other app providers are also struggling with Apple’s rules, but are not publicly addressing them for fear of retaliation. Coinbase has already reached out to Apple about these issues, but nothing has been resolved so far. Perhaps the new manager from the vacancy is the right address for this.