Apple Loosens Grip on Crypto Apps in Major Legal Setback
Landmark Court Ruling Paves the Way for Crypto Developers to Bypass App Store Fees
In a game-changing decision for the crypto industry, a U.S. district court has ruled that Apple violated a 2021 injunction designed to rein in its anticompetitive behavior. The verdict opens the door for crypto app developers to direct users to external payment platforms—effectively bypassing Apple’s long-standing commission system on off-app purchases.
“Apple’s continued attempts to interfere with competition will not be tolerated,” wrote Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in her April 30 ruling. She concluded that Apple willfully defied the court’s original injunction and ordered the company to halt these practices immediately.
Under the court’s directive, Apple can no longer charge fees or enforce restrictions on purchases made outside of iOS applications. The tech giant is also barred from tracking, auditing, or requiring developers to report off-app transactions. Furthermore, developers are now free to link to external payment methods—regardless of the app’s category—without Apple’s oversight.
The crypto community celebrated the decision as a decisive victory. Influencer Xero called the development “hugely bullish” for mobile crypto games and decentralized apps. Another voice in the space, Alex Masmej, called the ruling “absolutely huge for crypto.”
Appfigures CEO Ariel Michaeli noted that Apple’s follow-up guideline changes featured “passive-aggressive language,” indicating some internal resistance. Still, the updates now officially allow apps to integrate with external NFT marketplaces and payment solutions—without needing Apple’s prior approval.
Epic Games, the company that initially brought the case, reacted quickly. CEO Tim Sweeney announced Fortnite's return to the U.S. App Store and extended an offer to expand the policy globally if Apple applies the same terms worldwide.
