Apple removes Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat from China at Beijing’s request

Published at 2026-04-06 11:45:06

Apple removed Bitchat from its China storefront after a formal request from Beijing, the company says, cutting off access for users inside the country. The decision is significant because Bitchat, which debuted in July last year, had already been adopted by protesters in multiple countries as an alternative communication channel when authorities sought to curb online connectivity.

Bitchat’s documented use in protests across Madagascar, Uganda, Nepal, Indonesia, and Iran highlights why regulators flagged the app. Removing it underscores the growing pressure on global tech firms to comply with local controls, and it raises questions about how activists and ordinary users will adapt when popular tools are restricted by state intervention.

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Cambodia has extradited Li Xiong, the former chairman of Huione Group, to China where he is now detained amid allegations tied to billions in illicit cryptocurrency transactions. U.S. regulators previously linked Huione to large-scale crypto flows flagged as illicit.

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Published at 2026-04-01 17:00:17

US Targets Chinese Tech in Bitcoin Mining Crackdown

Senators introduced the Mined in America Act as the U.S., which holds about 38% of global Bitcoin mining capacity, seeks to curb reliance on Chinese-made hardware. The move signals a potential crackdown that could reshape supply chains and costs for miners and investors.

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Published at 2026-03-31 19:15:12

Bank of Ningbo Seeks Suppliers to Build Digital Yuan Processing System

Bank of Ningbo is soliciting suppliers to develop a system for processing the digital yuan, signaling Beijing may expand e-CNY licensing as it pushes wider adoption. The move reflects growing institutional readiness among Chinese banks to integrate the central bank digital currency into retail and merchant rails.

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Published at 2026-03-20 02:15:10

China Moves to Make Digital Yuan Legal Tender by Revising Central Bank Law

A proposal filed at the 2026 National People’s Congress would amend the 2003 People’s Bank of China Law to explicitly recognize the digital yuan as legal tender, with regulators citing outdated rules.

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Published at 2026-03-11 15:30:14

Hong Kong, Shanghai Team Up to Put Cargo Data on Blockchain

The HKMA and mainland Chinese regulators announced a cross-border blockchain platform to link cargo logistics data with electronic bills of lading, aiming to cut paperwork and friction in trade finance. The move signals stronger regulatory coordination to integrate Chinese supply chains with global markets.