Apple has rejected the latest version of the Zeus app, an open-source, non-custodial Bitcoin (BTC) wallet based on the Lightning network on its App Store.
According to the news shared by Zeus’ founder Evan Kaloudis on Twitter, the app was rejected due to violations of Apple’s guidelines for listing an application. Apple said, “The app facilitates the transmission of a virtual currency but was not submitted by a corresponding exchange or recognized financial institution.”
Zeus v0.7.6 has been rejected by Apple pic.twitter.com/9dNSjBrVBd
— EVAN KALOUDIS (@evankaloudis) June 14, 2023
Apparently, Zeus violates Apple’s guidelines that require apps to provide requisite licenses like money transmitter licenses to be able to facilitate the “transmission” of cryptocurrencies. Therefore, the tech giant has asked Zeus executives to show proof of authorization and required licenses to distribute the app in all of the locations it operates.
While it’s unclear what new features were included in this recent version, the older version (0.7.5) of the Zeus app is still on the App Store and is accessible to users.
Interestingly, Apple’s rejection of Zeus’ latest version follows after its spat with Damus, a popular Lightning-enabled Bitcoin app that runs on the Nostr protocol. The tech giant took exception to Damus’s “Zap” feature that allows users to appreciate creators by sending a small amount of Bitcoin over the Lightning network.
It is reported that Damus has agreed to eliminate the zap button from all content areas due to Apple’s belief that zaps on posts are similar to facilitating the sale of digital content. However, Damus has been permitted by the tech giant to retain zap functionality at the profile level.
Bitcoin White Paper Discovered on Apple Device
Recall that in April, Andy Baio, a technology blogger discovered that Apple’s Mac devices have been hiding a copy of Satoshi Nakamoto’s BTC white paper for the past five years. According to Baio, he discovered the whitepaper while he was trying to fix his printer.
However, three weeks after the discovery, the document has now been destroyed as previously reported. The discovery of the Bitcoin White paper sparked various reactions from the community with many suggesting that Apple’s co-founder Steve Jobs is the founder of Bitcoin while others believed it was a prank by Apple engineers.
