Apple Now Lets You Buy Crypto on Third-Party Apps with Coinbase Integration

Coinbase, a major player in the cryptocurrency world, has announced a new integration with Apple Pay. This update allows app developers to add a simple way for their users to buy crypto directly within their apps. Before this change, turning traditional cash like US dollars into digital currencies was a hassle, requiring extra fees and jumping between various websites or apps. This move by Coinbase is aimed at making cryptocurrency purchases more user-friendly for average folks. It seems Apple is warming up to the crypto scene after a rocky past. This shift comes as President-elect Trump has indicated a softer stance on crypto, which could be why Bitcoin's price has shot up to nearly $100, 000. The Securities and Exchange Commission's Gary Gensler has also hinted at stepping down when Trump takes office, ending his years of tight regulation on cryptocurrencies. Coinbase's CEO, Brian Armstrong, previously criticized Apple for not supporting the crypto industry, even suggesting possible antitrust issues. In 2019, Apple launched a credit card that didn't allow crypto purchases, and the company has a history of removing crypto, blockchain, and NFT apps from its App Store. In 2021, Apple's CEO Tim Cook mentioned he was exploring the idea of using Apple Pay to buy crypto and even admitted to owning some himself. However, Cook wants to keep Apple at a safe distance from the crypto industry. This new integration could signify a significant change in Apple's approach to cryptocurrencies.