Apple Loses Court Battle Over Crypto App Restrictions

• U.S. court orders Apple to permit fee-free crypto payment links in iOS apps
• Developers can now link to NFT, DeFi, and external crypto services on iPhones
• Judge bans Apple from blocking or auditing off-platform crypto transactions

A U.S. District Court decision now requires Apple to update its App Store rules, compelling the company to permit crypto and NFT app developers to link users to external payment options free of Apple’s fees. This was from an April 30th ruling where the court found Apple violated a 2021 injunction connected to its antitrust battle with Epic Games.

In the court filing, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers determined Apple intentionally violated the earlier injunction. The judge characterized Apple’s ongoing actions regarding external links and payments as anticompetitive and stated they would not be permitted to continue.

Court Mandates Fee-Free External Links for App Store Developers

The ruling explicitly orders Apple to stop imposing commissions or fees on transactions completed outside its App Store payment system. The company is also prohibited from auditing or monitoring these external transactions. Developers now cannot be prevented from including external payment links within their apps.

Judge Rogers specified Apple cannot dictate how developers implement or display links directing users to outside payment systems. The ruling also forbids Apple from excluding specific app categories or developers from utilizing external linking features.

Related: Hoskinson: Apple, Microsoft Crypto Entry Could Be Key to $250k Bitcoin

New Flexibility Opens Doors for Crypto and NFT Apps

This court decision grants developers building for the U.S. App Store significantly more freedom, especially those working with digital assets. They can now directly insert buttons or links leading users to NFT marketplaces or other crypto services for purchases. Previously, platforms like the NFT marketplace OpenSea were severely restricted on iOS, allowing users only to browse NFTs, not buy them through external links without violating Apple’s rules.

Related: Apple Faces Class-Action Lawsuit Over Crypto Payments Restrictions

Apple informed developers about the mandated changes through updated App Store guidelines. Some industry watchers described the tone of Apple’s communication as reluctant, but the new rules are effective immediately.

Industry Reacts; Epic Games Plans Fortnite Return

Following Apple’s guideline update, Appfigures CEO Ariel Michaeli confirmed developers no longer need special “entitlements” from Apple to link out to external NFT or payment systems, though he noted Apple’s wording might create some confusion. 

Crypto commentators like “Xero” and Alex Masmej reacted positively, calling the policy change beneficial and significant for the industry.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney also commented on the development and announced Epic plans to relaunch its popular game Fortnite on the U.S. iOS App Store following the decision. Sweeney added Epic would drop its ongoing and future legal actions against Apple if the company applied these same rule changes globally, not just in the U.S.