Apple Frees Crypto Payments Outside App Store Following Court Order

• Apple Releases Crypto Payments Outside the App Store
• Court ruling boosts NFT apps on iOS
• End of 30% fee makes crypto purchases easier

Apple has updated its App Store guidelines and now allow Cryptocurrency-related apps will now direct users to external sites to make payments, including purchases with digital assets and NFTs. The change expands the possibilities for developers and users of the iOS ecosystem, paving the way for more seamless integration with decentralized applications (DApps).

This policy update was prompted by a California court ruling in response to a lawsuit filed by Epic Games. The court ordered Apple to lift restrictions that prevented external payments, including those made with cryptocurrencies, which also weakens the 30% fee charged on in-app transactions. The measure is considered a milestone for the industry, especially for platforms that rely on alternative payment systems.

With the new rule, developers can embed direct links to cryptocurrency payments or offer native experiences with digital assets within their apps. This should encourage the development of apps focused on the crypto market, especially for NFT trading, as long as they meet regulatory requirements such as KYC.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney publicly celebrated the decision and signaled a possible return of Fortnite to the App Store globally, stating: “If Apple extends the court’s frictionless, tax-free framework worldwide, we will return Fortnite globally and forgo future litigation.” Ariel Michaeli, CEO of Appfigures, also noted that the move benefits mobile games and apps that integrate NFT functionality.

Prior to the decision, the so-called “Apple Tax” significantly limited the presence of cryptocurrency apps in the App Store, directly affecting the usability of tokens and NFTs. With the easing of restrictions, a new wave of Web3 solutions is expected to appear on iOS devices.