Apple seeking business manager with cryptocurrency, alternative payment experience

According to a job listing posted Wednesday, Apple is looking to hire a person to join its Apple Wallets, Payments, and Commerce (WPC) team to lead alternative payment partnerships.

"We are looking for a proven professional in global alternative and emerging payment solutions. We need your help forming partnership framework and commercial models, defining implementation paradigms, identifying key players and managing relationships with strategic alternative payment partners," Apple wrote.

In other words, the hire would become Apple's chief negotiator for partnerships in the alternative payment space.

The role requires at least five years of experience "working in or with alternative payment providers, such as digital wallets, BNPL, Fast Payments, cryptocurrency and etc." Another qualification includes "deep knowledge of the alternative payments ecosystem, understanding the complexities of funds flow, roles/responsibilities for settlement, relevant regulations and industry standards and the wide spectrum of FinTech products."

Additionally, the role would require the business development manager to provide insights and opportunities to Apple teams to grow Apple Pay and Apple's Wallet services.

Apple maintains tight control over payments across its ecosystem, including the App Store. In recent years, that control has come under scrutiny from app developers and government regulators.

The restrictions on App Store payments became the catalyst for Epic Games' antitrust lawsuit against Apple. In its complaint, Epic alleged that developers could accept "bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies" were it not for Apple's guidelines.

The Epic Games v. Apple trial officially ended on Monday, capping off three weeks of arguments and testimony. A court ruling, which could potentially change the way Apple operates, is expected later in 2021.

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