New court decision against Apple benefits crypto developers
Judge rules Apple must allow crypto app links to external payments.
Crypto app developers can now direct users to external payment platforms — including for NFTs and digital assets — without facing Apple’s 30% fee or design restrictions, following a decisive ruling by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers on April 30.
The decision stems from Apple’s long-running antitrust case against Epic Games, reports Cointelegraph.
Rogers found Apple in “willful violation” of a 2021 injunction intended to curb anticompetitive conduct. “Apple’s continued attempts to interfere with competition will not be tolerated,” she wrote. The court ordered Apple to comply immediately, banning any fees or conditions on off-app purchases and disallowing tracking or reporting of user activity outside the app.
A major win for crypto apps and developers
The ruling removes several long-standing hurdles for crypto developers, particularly those building NFT marketplaces and decentralized finance (DeFi) apps. Apple must now allow apps to include links or buttons that lead users to external payment systems — with no entitlement required and no design restrictions imposed.
“This is hugely bullish for mobile crypto games and apps,” crypto influencer Xero said on X. Appfigures CEO Ariel Michaeli echoed the sentiment, though he noted the “passive aggressive” tone in Apple’s updated guidelines may confuse developers.
NFT-focused apps had previously faced bans or rejections over linking to external collections or wallets. That practice is now prohibited.
Epic’s Tim Sweeney reopens App Store negotiations
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, whose company brought the original lawsuit, said the ruling paves the way for Fortnite to return to the U.S. App Store. He offered Apple a truce if it expands the policy globally: “Drop the Apple tax and we’ll drop the lawsuits.”
While Apple may still appeal, the current decision could reshape mobile crypto access worldwide.
Recently we wrote that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) extended its recent rebound on May 2, approaching a critical resistance level near $213.50 after climbing from April’s low around $170.
