#AppleCryptoUpdate Apple relaxes rules on NFTs and cryptocurrencies for iOS apps after antitrust ruling

Apple relaxes rules on NFTs and cryptocurrencies for iOS apps after antitrust ruling

Apple has eased restrictions on developers' ability to offer apps for iPhone and iPad that direct users to external purchase methods, including NFTs.

By André Beganski

3 minutes of reading

May 2, 2025

The antitrust case by Fortnite maker Epic Games against Apple benefited the cryptocurrency industry on Thursday, when the iPhone maker eased restrictions on developers' ability to offer apps in the United States that direct users to non-standard purchase methods or digital collectibles.

Apple updated its iOS App Store review guidelines after a U.S. district judge determined this week that the tech giant "intentionally" violated a court order issued in 2021. In the future, the federal court prohibited Apple from charging fees for purchases made outside of its iOS apps (currently 27%) or limiting developers' ability to direct users to third-party websites.

In an email obtained by Decrypt, Apple notified iOS developers that “apps in the U.S. store [are no longer] prohibited from including buttons, external links, or other calls to action when allowing users to explore NFT collections owned by others.”

“The prohibition on encouraging users to use a purchase method other than in-app purchase does not apply in the U.S. store,” the email added.

Although the relaxed restrictions do not apply to in-app features, such as purchasing premium content or in-game upgrades, they may lead to a "generational bull run of consumer cryptocurrencies."