Apple integrates bitcoin payments in iOS 10 update

Tech giant Apple is warming up to digital currency.

During its recently held September keynote, the Cupertino-based hardware major announced that it is opening up its iMessage SDK to developers. Essentially, Apple is allowing blockchain based payments applications to be integrated with iMessage in the upcoming iOS 10 update.

One of the first third party apps to be included in Apple’s new iPhone 7 is Circle, a peer-to-peer payments technology that uses not only fiat currencies but also bitcoin as its payments rail. Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire said adding payments to iMessage reduces “the friction” for consumers.

Allaire was quoted by the South China Morning Post, saying, “There’s a hurdle to have to install a smartphone app so that I can pay my buddy and all the inputting and set up. To do it all within the iMessages app is a lot easier.”