Apple to integrate Circle Bitcoin wallet in iMessage update

Bitcoin supporters may be pleased to hear that Apple will support the Circle Bitcoin wallet in iMessage when iOS 10 is released, which will be released alongside the iPhone 7 in October.

Millions of iMessage Users Will Be Able to Use Circle’s Bitcoin Payment System Directly

The iOS 10 update will include a completely redesigned iMessage service that will allow developers to introduce third-party apps to the platform. The beta version of the iMessage App shows that many apps have added text services, as well as music and GIF sharing features. Added third-party platforms include Square Cash, Lyft and Circle payments.

Circle CFO Jeremy Allaire said adding bitcoin payments to iMessage would benefit users. “You can pay friends and other people without having to install an app,” Allaire said. “It’s much easier to do that in the iMessage app.”

Since its launch, Circle has been working to build a wider range of applications for its Bitcoin wallet. So far, the company has worked with European regulators to expand its business in Europe, and has recently received huge investment in China. This summer, the company received a strategic investment of $60 million from a well-known Chinese investor.

Circle plans to expand its app globally. “We want to connect people using dollars, pounds, euros, and yuan,” company leaders wrote in a blog post, “just as the Internet, email, and other protocols connect people around the world.”

Is Apple courting Bitcoin?

In January 2014, Apple banned all Bitcoin wallets on the iOS platform, including removing apps from Blockchain.info, Coinbase and Coinjar.

When Apple removed these Bitcoin apps from its App Store, it angered Bitcoin supporters. In July 2014, Apple allowed some Bitcoin wallets to be listed on its App Store, which made Bitcoin enthusiasts very happy.

But Apple is also very picky about the apps it allows on its App Store. This summer, the company rejected an Ethereum wallet from its App Store, but later allowed a smaller number of apps to be listed.

Just recently, Apple asked the developers of Jaxx to remove Dash from its wallet application.

Apple appears to be becoming more Bitcoin-friendly with the integration of Circle payments in the updated version of iMessage. Although it remains on the sidelines regarding Ethereum and Dash, promoting Circle’s Bitcoin payment service to millions of iMessage users will greatly promote the adoption of Bitcoin.