Apple Bans Cryptocurrency Mining on iOS Devices

June 11, 2018 by Chris Lange

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) released new guidelines for its iOS devices, which effectively outlaws “mining” cryptocurrencies. These new rules will restrict apps that drain battery, generate excessive heat, or put unnecessary strain on the device.

Cryptocurrency “mining” is incredibly rough on any device, generating a significant amount of heat and strain. Essentially, Apple is making this change for the “safety” of its users and their devices.

Apple gave one of the highlights from its guidelines as:

2.4 Hardware Compatibility

2.4.2 Design your app to use power efficiently. Apps should not rapidly drain battery, generate excessive heat, or put unnecessary strain on device resources. Apps, including any third party advertisements displayed within them, may not run unrelated background processes, such as cryptocurrency mining.

Under the cryptocurrency section of Apples app guidelines:

3.1.5 (b) Cryptocurrencies:

(i) Wallets: Apps may facilitate virtual currency storage, provided they are offered by developers enrolled as an organization.

(ii) Mining: Apps may not mine for cryptocurrencies unless the processing is performed off device (e.g. cloud-based mining).

(iii) Exchanges: Apps may facilitate transactions or transmissions of cryptocurrency on an approved exchange, provided they are offered by the exchange itself.

(iv) Initial Coin Offerings: Apps facilitating Initial Coin Offerings (“ICOs”), cryptocurrency futures trading, and other crypto-securities or quasi-securities trading must come from established banks, securities firms, futures commission merchants (“FCM”), or other approved financial institutions and must comply with all applicable law.

(v) Cryptocurrency apps may not offer currency for completing tasks, such as downloading other apps, encouraging other users to download, posting to social networks, etc.

Shares of Apple were last seen at $191.43, with a consensus analyst price target of $198.48 and a 52-week range of $142.20 to $194.20.

Sponsored: Want to Retire Early? Here’s a Great First Step

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.