Google Removes Three Cryptocurrency Wallets: A Global App Market Overview

Overview of the Incident

On September 13, Google Play removed three cryptocurrency wallet applications—Bitcoin Wallet, CoPay, and BitPay—from its store. This action follows Google's updated policies restricting cryptocurrency-related apps, particularly those associated with mining activities.

Roger Ver, CEO of Bitcoin.com, criticized the move, stating:

"Google claims this is due to their ban on cryptocurrency mining apps. But I don’t understand why they’d classify our wallet as a mining tool."

Background: Google’s Crypto Crackdown

Key Policy Changes:

1. September 2018: Banned all cryptocurrency mining extensions from the Chrome Web Store.
2. March 2021: Prohibited crypto-related ads on Google platforms.
3. April 2021: Disallowed Chrome extensions with mining functionality.
4. July 2021: Updated Google Play policies to ban on-device crypto mining apps but permitted remote management tools.

Despite a 30-day grace period for developers, apps like NeoNeonMiner and MinerGate remained available temporarily, sparking criticism. These apps have since been removed.

Current Crypto App Landscape on Google Play:

• Wallet apps: ~250 available (e.g., Coin Market, Crypto News).
• Mining-related apps: Only analytics tools (e.g., BTC Pool, 1Hash) remain.

Global App Market Policies on Cryptocurrency

Apple App Store

Apple enforces stricter rules than Google:

• June 2021: Explicitly banned cryptocurrency mining apps unless cloud-based.

• Five key rules:

  1. Wallets must be from registered developers.
  2. No on-device mining.
  3. Trading allowed only via approved exchanges.
  4. ICOs require accredited financial institutions.
  5. No incentivized downloads (e.g., "earn crypto for sharing").

Regional differences: Some apps vary by location, but overall, Apple’s store has fewer crypto apps.

Tencent MyApp (China)

• January 2021: Pledged to block crypto-related services (payments, ads).
• August 2021: Banned ICO-promoting WeChat accounts.
• Available apps: Includes ARM Miner Free (1.5K+ downloads) and MinerGate Mobile Miner.

Baidu Mobile Assistant (China)

• 300+ apps for "Bitcoin" searches (wallets, news platforms).
• 178 mining-related apps, including cloud-mining tools like HashNest.

360 Mobile Assistant (China)

• Focuses on blockchain security (e.g., wallet audits, anti-fraud systems).
• 52 Bitcoin-related apps, mostly exchanges like Huobi OTC.

Xiaomi App Store (China)

• 119 Bitcoin apps (e.g., AToken wallet).
• 72 mining apps, mostly games.

China’s Regulatory Stance

China leads in strict crypto regulations:

• 2017: Banned ICOs and crypto trading.
• 2021: Ordered mines to shut down, citing energy waste and financial risks.
• August 2021: Prohibited crypto-promoting events in Beijing.

👉 Stay updated on crypto policies

FAQs

Q: Why did Google remove these wallets?
A: They misinterpreted them as mining tools under their July 2021 policy.

Q: Can I still mine crypto on my phone?
A: Not via major app stores—Apple and Google ban on-device mining apps.

Q: Are there any "safe" crypto apps?
A: Use wallets/analytics tools from verified developers (e.g., Blockchain Bitcoin Wallet).

👉 Explore trusted crypto tools

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