A U.S. federal court ruling has forced Apple to permit crypto and Web3 applications to use external payment links, bypassing App Store fees. The decision, issued on April 30, 2025, found Apple in violation of a 2021 injunction that aimed to eliminate anti-competitive practices.
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ordered Apple to immediately revise its App Store policies, preventing the company from charging fees or restricting apps that integrate third-party payment systems or blockchain-based services. This ruling is expected to significantly impact mobile crypto adoption, allowing developers to embed crypto and NFT payment links directly within iOS apps.
Previously, Apple enforced a 30% commission on all in-app purchases, discouraging developers from offering off-platform payment options. The court found Apple’s restrictive measures unacceptable, ruling that the company cannot impose additional barriers or fees on external transactions.
Greater freedom for crypto
Crypto developers now have greater freedom to integrate decentralized payment systems, enabling users to transact directly with digital assets like USDC, ETH, and SOL. This change is expected to accelerate Web3 adoption, making NFT purchases and blockchain-based transactions more accessible on mobile devices.
Industry experts have hailed the ruling as a game-changer for innovation, with some predicting a surge in crypto-integrated mobile applications. Meanwhile, Apple has filed an appeal against the decision, arguing that its policies were designed to protect user security and maintain platform integrity.
Despite Apple’s resistance, the ruling marks a turning point for mobile crypto adoption, potentially reshaping the future of decentralized applications on iOS.
Shogun Lin
