#AppleCryptoUpdate Recent developments show Apple has made significant moves in the cryptocurrency space, primarily driven by a court ruling in its legal battle with Epic Games. On April 30, 2025, a U.S. district judge found Apple in violation of a 2021 injunction, prompting Apple to update its App Store guidelines. These updates, effective May 2025, allow crypto app developers to direct users to external payment systems without incurring Apple’s in-app purchase fees (previously up to 30%) or needing special entitlements. This change enables apps to link to external non-fungible token (NFT) collections and payment systems, a move hailed as “hugely bullish” by crypto commentators for fostering adoption.
Additionally, Apple has partnered with Mesh, a crypto payments firm, to integrate cryptocurrency payments (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana) into Apple Pay via Mesh’s SmartFunding technology. Announced on May 1, 2025, this integration allows merchants to accept crypto through Apple Pay’s NFC features, enhancing payment flexibility both online and in-store. This development contributed to a 2% rise in Apple’s stock price last week, aligning with positive market sentiment.
However, Apple’s crypto stance isn’t uniformly progressive. In South Korea, Apple blocked 14 crypto exchange apps (including KuCoin and MEXC) from its App Store in April 2025, following a Financial Intelligence Unit request targeting unregistered operators. This reflects regulatory compliance but contrasts with Apple’s crypto-friendly moves elsewhere.
Posts on X reflect strong community excitement, with users calling the App Store policy change a “massive win” for crypto, predicting it will drive innovation and adoption, potentially embedding crypto seamlessly into apps and games.
Critically, while these changes signal Apple’s cautious embrace of crypto, they stem from legal pressure rather than a proactive shift. The Mesh integration is promising but limited in scope, and South Korea’s app bans show Apple prioritizes compliance over universal crypto support. The crypto market’s volatility and regulatory uncertainties could also temper the impact of these updates. Always verify X posts for accuracy, as they can exaggerate or misrepresent developments.