New York-based social e-commerce website Fancy has removed bitcoin payments from its iOS app at the request of Apple.
The announcement was made in conjunction with its release of Version 3.3.0 of its iOS app on 5th March, and was visible under the “What’s new” portion of the App Store where app updates are displayed.
Fancy has been accepting bitcoin since 23rd January, when it revealed the news to customers via email, thereby becoming one of the largest and most well-funded merchants to accept bitcoin.
The company announced that it would add a bitcoin payment option for both its Android and iOS mobile apps at the time of the launch, and had been enabling customers to make purchases for some time before the shutoff.
Fancy iOS app users confirmed to CoinDesk that BTC buying did function effectively prior to the update. Though, there had been hopes previously that the initial launch might represent a softening in Apple’s stance toward bitcoin.
Wrote one interested bitcoin user in an email to CoinDesk on 4th March:
“Either Apple’s policy towards Bitcoin has changed [or] is changing, or they have made a special exception for Fancy.”
Fancy did respond to CoinDesk requests for comment, but did not elaborate on any interaction with Apple.
Apple’s latest bitcoin snub
The action is unsurprising given Apple’s notorious anti-bitcoin stance, one that was on display in February when it abruptly removed bitcoin wallet provider Blockchain’s wallet app from its App Store.
That decision inspired the bitcoin community to erupt in a somewhat violent display of solidarity against the company’s products, and led to accusations that Apple had abandoned its principles by turning its back on innovation.
Bitcoin wallet and merchant services provider Coinbase’s iOS app was similarly removed on 15h November.
Community angered but unsurprised
The revelation sparked outrage on reddit, though users certainly found the company’s decision consistent with its past actions.
However, Fancy is still accepting bitcoin payments on its e-commerce website for items such as artwork, clothing and furniture.