Apple vs Epic Ruling opens the door for cryptocurrency payments and NFT features in iOS apps
The legal battle between Apple and Epic Games has just torn a massive hole in how apps are allowed to operate on iOS. A federal court in California ruled that Apple violated a 2021 court order and was blocking fair competition.
This decision now forces Apple to allow developers to accept cryptocurrency payments and use NFT features within iOS apps without going through Apple's in-app system or paying its 30% fee. At this time, Fortnite will return to the U.S. iOS app store, and app developers finally have more control over their own money.
According to Variety, the ruling not only ended Apple's monopoly on in-app payments. It opens a clear path for mobile crypto wallets to connect directly to iOS apps. That means apps can now take USDC, ETH, SOL, and other crypto assets directly from users, without intermediaries, without extra fees, without Apple taxes.
The ruling also allows apps to include NFT marketplace functions directly within the app itself. No more sending users to a mobile browser to complete a sale. NFT apps can now handle the entire transaction within the app.
Court says Apple lied and blocks all new anti-competitive moves
The decision came from Judge Yvonne González Rogers, who stated that Apple intentionally broke the previous court order. In her words, "Apple's ongoing attempts to interfere with competition will not be tolerated".
