#AppleCryptoUpdate Apple has recently implemented significant changes to its App Store policies, particularly affecting cryptocurrency and NFT applications. These adjustments follow a U.S. federal court ruling that found Apple's previous practices—such as mandating its in-app payment system and imposing a 30% commission on all purchases—violated antitrust laws. Consequently, Apple is now prohibited from collecting fees on purchases made outside of its iOS apps or restricting developers from directing users to third-party websites
Key Updates for Crypto and NFT Developers
External Payment Links: Developers can now include links within their apps that direct users to external payment platforms, facilitating transactions without Apple's commission.
NFT Integration: Apps are permitted to link to external NFT marketplaces, allowing users to purchase digital collectibles outside the App Store ecosystem .
No Additional Fees: Apple cannot impose any commission or fee on purchases made outside an app, nor can it audit or require reporting of such transactions.
Ongoing Restrictions
Despite these relaxations, certain limitations remain in place:
Apps are still prohibited from offering reward tokens for completing tasks.
Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) are not allowed within apps.
Utilizing user devices for cryptocurrency mining is forbidden.
Industry Response
The crypto community has largely welcomed these changes. Developers anticipate that the ability to process transactions externally will enhance user experience and profitability. Some commentators have described the updates as "hugely bullish" for mobile crypto applications.
These policy shifts mark a significant development for cryptocurrency and NFT applications on Apple's platforms, potentially fostering greater innovation and user engagement in the mobile crypto space.