Key Takeaways:
- A U.S. court ruled that Apple violated a 2021 injunction, forcing it to allow crypto app developers to use external payment systems without commissions.
- Apple is now barred from monitoring or restricting external crypto payments and must stop imposing related fees.
- Developers can now freely link to external NFT collections and payment platforms without needing special entitlements.
A recent U.S. court ruling has forced Apple to allow crypto app developers to direct users to external payment platforms, bypassing its usual commissions.
U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple violated a 2021 injunction from its antitrust battle with Epic Games.
Apple drops iOS ban on in-app crypto payments! pic.twitter.com/7q5xmOWZ6S
— Altcoin Daily (@AltcoinDailyio) May 3, 2025
In her April 30 filing, Judge Rogers declared Apple in “willful violation” and ordered immediate compliance.
The ruling bans Apple from imposing fees on off-app purchases, from restricting external payment links, or requiring developers to report such transactions.
It also prohibits the exclusion of any app category from using external links.
Apple just updated the App Store rules.
— Hector Lopez (@hlopez_) May 2, 2025
You can now add buttons, external links, and CTAs without needing special entitlements.
That means:
External payments? Allowed.
NFT links? Allowed.
Anyone getting subs from external link yet? pic.twitter.com/Zton1g2pdH
Crypto industry members hailed the decision as “hugely bullish”, as it frees apps—especially those dealing with NFTs and other Web3 assets—to integrate with external systems more easily.
Ariel Michaeli, CEO of Appfigures, noted that although Apple updated its guidelines, the language appears “passive aggressive”, possibly causing confusion.
Still, the change is seen as a major win for crypto apps, allowing broader functionality and monetization options outside Apple’s ecosystem.
This move could reshape how crypto platforms operate within iOS.
About The Author
Adam Morris, the co-founder of Crypto Head and a respected crypto expert, offers insightful commentary and analysis on cryptocurrency, NFTs, and the evolving digital landscape.
His extensive experience and features in top-tier publications like Forbes and CNN underscore his deep understanding of the crypto world and its future potential.
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