Cryptocurrency was envisioned as a decentralized financial system, one that would operate outside the control of governments, banks, and corporations. Yet, despite its decentralized nature, crypto is being funneled through a highly centralized bottleneck—the smartphone.
For most people, crypto exists inside a mobile app—a wallet, an exchange, or a decentralized application (dApp). But these apps do not operate in a vacuum. They are dependent on Apple’s iOS, Google’s Android, and Huawei’s HarmonyOS—the dominant smartphone operating systems that collectively control nearly 100% of the global smartphone market.
These companies determine:
- Which apps are allowed to exist on their platforms.
- How payments are processed, favoring their own systems over crypto.
- The security infrastructure that crypto wallets rely on.
This gives these tech giants a massive, centralized influence over how people access and use crypto. No matter how decentralized a blockchain may be, if users cannot access it through their smartphones, it is effectively inaccessible.
Smartphones: The Unspoken Gatekeepers of Crypto
Today, over 6 billion people own a smartphone, making it the primary gateway to the internet and financial services. But nearly all smartphones run on just three operating systems:
- Apple’s iOS (App Store) – The only OS for iPhones, giving Apple complete control over software distribution.
- Google’s Android (Google Play Store) – Dominates the global smartphone market, with Google controlling app policies for most Android devices.
- Huawei’s HarmonyOS – A rising alternative, especially in China, where Google services are restricted.
These companies decide which apps can be installed and which features they can offer. For the crypto industry—built on the idea of permissionless finance—this represents an enormous centralization risk.
Even if a cryptocurrency itself is decentralized, the access points are not.
1. App Store Control: The Power to Allow or Deny Access
Apple, Google, and Huawei Decide Which Crypto Apps Exist
Crypto developers can spend years building decentralized networks, but if their apps don’t comply with Apple’s App Store policies, Google Play rules, or Huawei’s restrictions, they can be banned or removed instantly.
We have already seen cases of crypto apps being restricted or removed:
- MetaMask – Temporarily banned from Google Play Store in 2019.
- Coinbase Wallet – Forced to remove NFT transfer functionality from iOS in 2022 due to Apple’s demand for a 30% cut of gas fees.
- Trust Wallet – Repeatedly faced approval issues from Apple, delaying updates and features.
Governments Can Pressure These Companies to Ban Crypto Apps
Beyond the policies of tech giants, specific governments can exert pressure to block or remove certain crypto applications.
- China – Has already banned most crypto-related apps from Huawei’s app store and pressured Apple to do the same within its Chinese market.
- India – Has flirted with strict crypto regulations, and if it were to enforce a ban, it could force Google and Apple to comply within its jurisdiction.
- Russia – Has discussed creating its own state-controlled digital currency while simultaneously cracking down on crypto exchanges, potentially leading to app store restrictions.
If a country decides to ban certain crypto applications, it doesn’t need to attack the blockchain itself—it simply needs to order Apple, Google, and Huawei to remove the app from their stores.
No app store approval? No access for millions of users.
2. The Monopoly on Payments: Crypto vs. Apple Pay, Google Pay & Huawei Pay
Tech Giants Control Payment Processing on Their Devices
Apple, Google, and Huawei have all developed their own payment ecosystems:
- Apple Pay – The default on iPhones, tightly integrated with iOS.
- Google Pay – Used across most Android devices worldwide.
- Huawei Pay – Growing in China and other markets where Huawei dominates.
Crypto Payments Are Blocked or Restricted
If a user wants to make a purchase using crypto through an app, they face major roadblocks:
- Apple bans direct crypto payments inside apps.
- Google’s policies make it difficult for crypto transactions to be integrated natively.
- Huawei, under pressure from the Chinese government, does not allow non-state-controlled crypto payment apps.
3. Security & Custody: Who Really Owns Your Crypto?
Most crypto wallets rely on hardware security features embedded in smartphones:
- Apple’s Secure Enclave
- Google’s Titan M chip
- Huawei’s Kirin security module
These security features are essential for storing private keys safely, but they are entirely controlled by the smartphone manufacturers.
4. The Future of Crypto Under Centralized Tech Control
- Governments Can Block Crypto Apps at Scale – Countries can pressure Apple, Google, and Huawei to remove crypto apps.
- Crypto Payments Will Remain Second-Class Citizens – Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Huawei Pay dominate mobile transactions, sidelining crypto.
- Crypto Security Will Always Be Vulnerable – Crypto wallets are dependent on tech giants for secure key storage.
Conclusion: The Silent Centralization of Crypto
Crypto was designed to be decentralized, but the smartphone—its primary access point—is controlled by Apple, Google, and Huawei. These companies dictate:
- Which crypto apps exist.
- How payments work (or don’t work) in crypto.
- The security that crypto wallets rely on.
If these companies ever turn against crypto, they won’t need to attack the networks themselves.
They can simply cut off access—and crypto will become a decentralized technology that no one can use.
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