Apple Is Looking for Crypto Experience in 'Alternative Payments' Job Post

Apple’s payments unit is looking for a crypto-savvy biz-dev specialist to lead partnership efforts.

AccessTimeIconMay 26, 2021 at 2:26 p.m. UTC
Updated May 9, 2023 at 3:19 a.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

Apple is looking to hire a business development manager with experience in the cryptocurrency industry to lead its "alternative payments" partnership program.

In a Wednesday job posting, Apple said candidates should have five years or more “working in or with alternative payment providers, such as digital wallets, BNPL [buy now pay later], Fast Payments, cryptocurrency and etc.” 

  • Apple Should Think Differently, 'Embrace Bitcoin': Damus Founder
    08:13
    Apple Should Think Differently, 'Embrace Bitcoin': Damus Founder
  • Damus Founder Anticipates Delisting From Apple App Store
    05:56
    Damus Founder Anticipates Delisting From Apple App Store
  • Apple Rejects Bitcoin Wallet Zeus a Day After Threatening to Delist Damus
    04:23
    Apple Rejects Bitcoin Wallet Zeus a Day After Threatening to Delist Damus
  • AI, Metaverse Tokens Dip Amid SEC's Lawsuits
    03:49
    AI, Metaverse Tokens Dip Amid SEC's Lawsuits
  • The Cupertino tech giant said the manager would be Apple’s chief negotiator for the alternative payments space.

    “The Apple Wallets, Payments, and Commerce (WPC) team is seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to lead Alternative Payments Partnerships,” the company wrote.

    Apple has long maintained an ironclad grip over payments, especially in its App Store, which has never accepted customers’ crypto and forces all catalog apps to use Apple’s commerce rails and play by Apple’s rules. 

    That tightly-controlled ecosystem is the focus of a blockbuster court fight launched by Fortnite developer Epic Games. Epic alleges Apple’s rules violate antitrust laws and stifle payments innovation. App developers could accept “bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies” if not for Apple’s restrictions, Epic claimed in the suit.

    Apple has made no public statements about its plans for the crypto space. The company did not immediately return CoinDesk’s calls. 

    Even so, pockets of the crypto space seem to be preparing for Apple. Coinbase included Apple Pay graphics in a recent app update, according to MacRumors.

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.