Apple Quietly Removes Telegram from App Store Amid Uncertainty

Apple has unexpectedly removed Telegram Messenger from its App Store worldwide without explanation. This move affects new downloads and updates for the messaging app, but existing installations on users' iPhones continue to function normally.

The disruption is significant for crypto traders who rely heavily on Telegram as their primary channel for communication and trading updates. The GRAM token, linked to the Telegram ecosystem, has already seen a short-term price decline due to near-term uncertainty caused by the removal.

According to reports, the removal appears to be a policy decision rather than a technical issue, although neither Apple nor Telegram founder Pavel Durov has issued an official statement addressing the cause of the removal. This lack of clarity has left the market guessing about whether this echoes a previous incident in 2018 or reflects a more serious or lasting issue.

The removal is confined strictly to Apple's iOS distribution channel, with Telegram's web interface, desktop applications for macOS and Windows, and its Android version remaining fully accessible. This means users on other platforms are unaffected by the removal, but the uncertainty surrounding the situation may continue to impact sentiment in the crypto market.