Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has announced that it may remove the decentralized apps (DApps) browsing feature from its mobile app Coinbase Wallet to comply with Apple App Store policy.
Confirming the news, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said, “This is really unfortunate to see. Apple seems to be eliminating usage of DApps from the App Store.”
Users will still be able to browse DApps on Coinbase Wallet through their desktops using the WalletLink feature. Coinbase had enabled browsing of DApps through desktops from August this year.
Armstrong explained that as per the Apple App Store Policy, if Coinbase customers wanted to use DApps from the Coinbase browser, it will have to relay this request to Apple. He also said that if this policy continues, then companies and individuals like professional traders who use these DApps to transact millions will no longer be able to access them from their Apple devices.
The entire cryptocurrency DApp industry, which has taken off after blockchain started providing APIs to businesses and developers for developing DApps as per their requirement and environment, would be adversely affected.
DApps are widely used in the cryptocurrency gaming and gambling industries. Cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets have integrated these DApps with their systems. Thus, the Apple App Store policy will have far-reaching consequences for the cryptocurrency industry.
Coinbase’s fears are not unfounded. Earlier, Google had removed the mobile client of the Ethereum Wallet and DApp platform MetaMask from its Play Store citing violation of its financial services policy. Google rejected MetaMask’s appeal against the ban.