Apple Loosens NFT & Crypto App Restrictions After Major Court Ruling
AppleCryptoUpdate — Big changes are hitting the App Store after a U.S. District Court ruling in the Epic Games antitrust case forced Apple to revise its long-standing policies on external payments and NFTs.
🔓 What’s Changed?
Developers can now add external links for NFT purchases and secondary marketplaces.
Apps can direct users to third-party payment options for crypto transactions — bypassing Apple’s 30% commission.
OpenSea and similar platforms can now showcase third-party NFTs inside iOS apps, though actual purchases must happen off-app.
But some restrictions remain:
No crypto mining apps allowed.
No token reward distribution via apps.
No ICO launches or internal crypto generation on iOS.
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🚀 Why It Matters for Crypto
The NFT and crypto sectors have welcomed this move as a major win for mobile crypto innovation. Developers can now build crypto-native mobile experiences without being locked into Apple’s walled garden.
Industry experts see this as a catalyst for:
New NFT apps and marketplaces on iOS.
Broader crypto payment integration.
Greater freedom for Web3 developers.
This follows a broader trend, with other tech giants like Google also relaxing NFT restrictions on mobile apps.
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📱 Apple’s Position & The Bigger Picture
Despite these policy shifts, Apple remains cautious on crypto adoption. The company has limited these guideline changes to the U.S. App Store and is planning to appeal the court’s decision.
This reflects a growing tension between big tech platforms and regulators over app store fees, control, and developer freedom in the evolving digital asset economy.
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Bottom line: A pivotal moment for crypto and NFT apps on mobile — developers now have new opportunities to bring Web3 into users' hands, even if Apple’s still holding some cards close.
Bypass Apple’s in-app purchase system, dodging the notorious 30% commission.
Enable NFT transactions outside of Apple’s ecosystem, making digital collectibles more accessible within apps.
This move comes after Apple was found to have violated a 2021 injunction related to anti-competitive practices, particularly in its legal battle with Epic Games.
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🚀 Why It Matters for Crypto
This policy relaxation is being hailed as a huge win for the crypto and Web3 space:
Developers can now build richer, crypto-native features without restrictive in-app payment rules.
Users get greater freedom to interact with crypto assets and NFTs directly via mobile apps.
It signals a bullish outlook for mobile crypto apps and overall Web3 adoption, with easier access for mainstream users.
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📱 Apple’s Stance on Crypto
Despite the policy shift, Apple remains cautious on crypto at the corporate level. CEO Tim Cook has personally disclosed owning Bitcoin but confirmed Apple has no plans to launch a cryptocurrency or integrate digital assets into its business model — for now.
Bottom line: Apple’s latest App Store policy update opens new doors for crypto developers and users on iOS, potentially accelerating mainstream adoption of decentralized finance and digital collectibles.
