A surprising change from Apple is opening new doors for NFT and crypto applications on iPhone and iPad, after the tech giant faced an unfavorable ruling from a U.S. court related to the antitrust lawsuit initiated by Epic Games.



What just happened?


Apple has just updated its App Store review guidelines, allowing developers in the U.S.:



  • Insert buttons or links directing users outside the App Store for payments



  • Display and connect to NFTs on secondary trading markets



  • Freedom to choose payment methods outside of Apple's system





"Apple will no longer prohibit applications on #AppStore in the U.S. from directing users to external purchasing methods," according to a notice sent to iOS developers.



Previously, Apple charged a 27% fee on all in-app transactions. The old regulations severely limited NFT-related applications, especially marketplaces like OpenSea or Magic Eden, in their transaction capabilities.



Impact on NFTs and crypto applications?


This change is seen by many experts as a major turning point for the Web3 industry on mobile devices, specifically:


  • Apps #NFT​ can guide users to external exchanges for trading digital assets



  • Open up opportunities for self-custodial wallet applications to operate more smoothly



  • Reduce dependence on Apple's closed ecosystem, thus promoting creativity in the Web3 experience




An engineer at Farcaster commented:



"This could be the beginning of a new growth cycle for crypto applications on phones."




But there are still 'red lines'


Despite significant easing, #Apple still maintains some strict limits on crypto applications, including:



  • Prohibit token rewards for completing tasks



  • Prohibit ICOs (initial token offerings)



  • Prohibit mining coins using users' devices




This shows that Apple is only easing pressure on NFTs and external payments, while for financial or speculative cryptocurrencies, the company still maintains strict policies.



Comparing with competitors: Is Google 'more open'?


Google has taken a step ahead since 2023:



  • Allow NFTs to unlock in-app content



  • Require blockchain games to be transparent about their operational nature




With Apple's new changes, the gap between the two ecosystems is gradually narrowing, opening up fairer competition opportunities for Web3 developers.



Contact with the crypto market and Binance users


Apple's 'green light' for NFT apps could create a ripple effect:



  • Decentralized wallets like MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, or Uniswap could thrive more on iOS



  • Binance NFT and DeFi products can fully consider expanding the mobile experience specifically for iPhone



  • Binance users in the U.S. will have more payment options, reducing reliance on closed systems





Risk warning: Although Apple is facilitating the development of Web3 on mobile platforms, crypto applications still face many legal limitations. Investors need to be cautious when using or investing in apps with blockchain elements. The crypto market is promising but highly volatile, not suitable for everyone.