Share this article
Gyft Updates iOS App, Adds Bitcoin Payments Option
Mobile gift card wallet Gyft has updated its iOS app, adding a bitcoin payments option for iPhone users.
Updated Sep 11, 2021, 10:53 a.m. Published Jun 19, 2014, 5:30 p.m.
Digital gift card provider Gyft updated its iOS app today, adding the bitcoin payments option that was previously exclusive to its Android customers.
Gyft
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters
launched last year, supporting retailing majors like Whole Foods, Starbucks, Groupon, GAP and Nike. Users who choose to pay in bitcoin receive 3% back on their purchases, which is added into a points system, earning them discounts for future purchases.
The news comes shortly after reports of Apple’s revised stance on apps that “facilitate transmission of approved virtual currencies”. The tech giant angered its iPhone users in February by removing the Coinbase and Blockchain apps from the iOS app store.
Earlier this month, it issued a statement saying that such apps may now run so long as they “do so in compliance with all state and federal laws for the territories in which the app functions”.
“Our users are ecstatic about it,” said Gyft’s chief executive Vinny Lingham. “The moment we heard the rules were being relaxed we wanted to get it up and running as soon as possible.”
Citing DISH Network and Expedia as recent adopters of the digital currency, he said:
“It’s becoming a respected system of payment … It’s coming out of the fringe and hitting more of the mainstream.”
Lingham and his clients are not alone. Blockchain CEO Nic Cary revealed on Twitter yesterday that his company's wallet app would soon return to the iOS store.
Reddit asks. Reddit gets. #sneakpeak #bitcoin iOS @apple coming soon pic.twitter.com/pmdlO4KAyb
— Nic Cary (@niccary) June 18, 2014
He told CoinDesk: “We were very encouraged by Apple's recent policy adjustment and immediately dusted off our original app. Ever since January we've been hoping Apple would change it's stance and it seems like they've finally listened to their users … Finally, millions of bitcoin enthusiasts will get to experience bitcoin on their iPhones.”
Last week, a new bitcoin wallet app appeared for download in the iOS App Store. The Coinpocket app has a number of basic features, but also enables users to generate a BIP38 encrypted version of their private key.
Gyft CEO Vinny Lingham will be speaking at CoinSummit in London on July 10-11.
Image via Gyft
More For You
L1 tokens broadly underperformed in 2025 despite a backdrop of regulatory and institutional wins. Explore the key trends defining ten major blockchains below.
What to know:
2025 was defined by a stark divergence: structural progress collided with stagnant price action. Institutional milestones were reached and TVL increased across most major ecosystems, yet the majority of large-cap Layer-1 tokens finished the year with negative or flat returns.
This report analyzes the structural decoupling between network usage and token performance. We examine 10 major blockchain ecosystems, exploring protocol versus application revenues, key ecosystem narratives, mechanics driving institutional adoption, and the trends to watch as we head into 2026.
More For You
Crypto prices again muted as gold surges to new record, U.S. stocks advance
Bitcoin for the moment was unable to hold the $90,000 level reached prior to the U.S. market open.
What to know:
- Crypto prices are slipping a little during the U.S. trading session as precious metals and stocks move higher.
- The AI trade remains strong, with bitcoin miners who have pivoted business models moving sharply higher.
- Both gold and silver hit new records Monday and one analyst said bitcoin can't rally until those metals cool.
Top Stories
