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Apple has been ordered to permit crypto and Web3 applications’ developers to use external payment links. Its a landmark US court decision that may change the mobile crypto world completely. The ruling essentially commands the tech giant to avoid App Store’s traditional commission-based model.
A federal court ruling on April 30, 2025, held that Apple had violated a 2021 injunction designed to eliminate anti-competitive behavior. It's the same case that is connected to the tech giant’s legal fight with Epic Games. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, ordered that Apple change its App Store policies immediately without any delays or negotiations.
The decision strips the company of the right to charge fees or limit apps that include third-party payment systems or blockchain based services.
The Apple commission ruling gives crypto developers a lot of freedom to operate, which means:
Crypto and NFT apps can embed external payment links inside iOS apps now.
Off-platform purchases no longer entitle Apple to a cut.
Developers are free now to add features linking to decentralized systems or NFT marketplaces.
App Store reviews will not apply to off-platform payment transactions.
Although Apple has grudgingly revised its guidelines, the implications of the ruling are extensive. This ruling has been greeted by Web3 circles. Industry commentators call it "a game-changer for innovation on mobile."
Epic Games has even alluded to Fortnite's possible return to the App Store, should the same kind of flexibility become global. "This is a defining moment for developers who want open access to users without interference by platforms," a technology policy analyst observed.
This is a turning point for mobile crypto adoption. Consumers will now have direct access to blockchain services and not be routed through Apple's infrastructure. It's also an unusual setback for the tech giant’s otherwise tight ecosystem.
Crypto payments, NFT buys, and decentralized experiences are now significantly more accessible on iOS. Thus, making this a milestone moment in the mobile development of Web3.
