The Wallet of Satoshi, a widely used Bitcoin Lightning wallet app, has unexpectedly disappeared from both the Apple and Google app stores in the United States.
This abrupt absence came to light today as members of the cryptocurrency community reported their inability to locate the Wallet of Satoshi app on the US versions of the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Searches for the app yielded no results, redirecting users to alternative wallet applications. Despite its removal in the US, the Bitcoin Lightning wallet remained available for download in other countries, such as Australia and Singapore.
Disappearance of the Leading Bitcoin Lightning Wallet
The rationale behind the company’s choice to withdraw its app from US stores remains unclear. In a post on X, Wallet of Satoshi expressed that they have made the “difficult decision” to suspend service for US customers at the moment. However, they hinted that this move might be temporary, contingent on “future developments.”
Notwithstanding the removal, current Wallet of Satoshi users in the US maintain complete access to their Bitcoin funds. They also have the option to transfer their assets to other wallets if they so choose.
Wallet of Satoshi’s Meteoric Rise
Wallet of Satoshi has experienced significant growth in its Bitcoin Lightning transactions recently. Notably, industry expert Kevin Rooke observed that the platform was set to surpass 1.1 million Lightning payments in November, marking its highest-ever monthly volume.
The Lightning Network, a layer-2 solution enhancing the Bitcoin blockchain for rapid, scalable, and cost-effective transactions, finds a popular platform in Wallet of Satoshi, particularly for mobile transactions.
The reasons motivating Wallet of Satoshi’s departure from the US market remain unclear. Apple, known for its restrictive policies toward crypto apps, has previously faced criticism. In a notable incident last year, Apple temporarily removed the Ethereum wallet MetaMask from its App Store due to unspecified policy violations. This week, a class action lawsuit was filed against Apple by crypto app developers, alleging anti-competitive practices in relation to crypto payments on iOS.
The sudden disappearance of Wallet of Satoshi has left US bitcoin users frustrated, as the app provided a convenient means to leverage the Lightning Network for payments and transfers. While Wallet of Satoshi navigates its position in the US, American customers must turn to alternative Bitcoin Lightning wallets for their transaction needs.
