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Apple Removes Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat From China App Store – News Bytes Bitcoin News

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Key Takeaways

  • Apple removed Bitchat from the China App Store on February 28, 2026, citing local legal violations.

  • The Cyberspace Administration of China claims Bitchat violates Article 3 of its security assessment provisions.

  • Bitchat reached a 10,000-user limit on Testflight before its removal from the Chinese market in early 2026.

Chinese Crackdown on Peer-to-Peer Messaging

Apple Inc. notified Block Inc. CEO Jack Dorsey that his decentralized messaging application, Bitchat, has been removed from the China App Store. The removal, effective as of February 28, 2026, was triggered by a formal demand from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) regarding the app’s non-compliance with local security regulations.

The CAC determined that Bitchat violates Article 3 of the “Provisions on the Security Assessment of Internet-based Information Services with Attribute of Public Opinions or Capable of Social Mobilization.” These regulations require any service capable of influencing public opinion to undergo a state-mandated security assessment. Bitchat, which operates via Bluetooth mesh networking without requiring an internet connection or national infrastructure, was flagged for its “social mobilization” capabilities.

While the application is no longer available in China, it remains accessible in all other global territories through App Store Connect. Apple’s notice also confirmed that the Testflight version of the app—which had previously reached its maximum capacity of 10,000 testers—has been disabled for all users and internal testers located within mainland China.

Crypto Jumps 2.5% Amid Trump-Iran Deadline Threats

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Crypto markets bounced 2.5% as US President Donald Trump sent mixed signals over a potential deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, including reports of a possible ceasefire that could permanently end the war. 

In an expletive-laden post on the Truth Social platform on Sunday, Trump threatened that Iran would be “living in Hell” if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.

However, he also acknowledged in a Fox News interview that Iran is “negotiating now” and expressed optimism about a “good chance” of a deal within 24 hours.

Total market capitalization has climbed about $70 billion, or 2.5%, to an 11-day high of $2.44 trillion in early trading on Monday on the news. Bitcoin tapped $69,500 on Coinbase, according to TradingView.

The small jump has led to total liquidations of around $255 million over 24 hours, 73% of them being short positions, according to data from CoinGlass. 

Trump’s comments come after more than a month of war, contributing to surging global oil prices that some fear could lead to a global economic recession. 

Trump initially gave Iran a 10-day window to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but his latest post suggests that Iran now has until Tuesday to reopen the waterway, or the US would attack Iran’s power plants and bridges. 

“There will be nothing like it!!! Open the fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH!” he said. 

Source: Truth Social

A potential deal within 24 hours

Despite the aggressive rhetoric, Trump also acknowledged that Iran is “negotiating now” and expressed optimism about a “good chance” of a deal within 24 hours.

He also said, “If they don’t make a deal and fast, I’m considering blowing everything up and taking over the oil.” 

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A report from Axios, meanwhile, suggests that the US, Iran and a group of regional mediators are discussing the terms of a 45-day ceasefire that could lead to an end of the war, adding further mixed signals.

Oil prices surge, adding inflation pressure

The ongoing war in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have pushed crude oil prices back up to about $112 per barrel on Monday morning. 

The Kobeissi Letter predicted that if current levels are sustained for another seven weeks, US Consumer Price Index-related inflation will rise to around 3.7%.

Meanwhile, Americans have spent an additional $240 million per day on fuel costs since the Iran war began Feb. 28, it added. 

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