Apple Loses Ground in Court—Crypto Apps Score Major Victory on iOS

Apple Loses Ground in Court—Crypto Apps Score Major Victory on iOS

Federal Ruling Forces Apple to Open Doors for Off-App Payments, Crypto Developers Applaud

Apple’s grip on app-based payments just got cracked wide open—and the crypto industry is celebrating.

In a landmark April 30 ruling, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers declared that Apple violated a 2021 court injunction meant to curb anticompetitive behavior. The decision compels Apple to immediately stop charging commissions or controlling off-app payments, a move that is being called a watershed moment for crypto apps and developers.

“This is an injunction, not a negotiation,” said Judge Rogers. “Time is of the essence.”

Developers Can Now Bypass Apple’s Payment Gatekeepers

Effective immediately, Apple is barred from preventing developers from guiding users to alternative payment systems—whether for non-fungible tokens (NFTs), crypto wallets, or external subscriptions.

The ruling states Apple cannot impose fees, commissions, or track purchases that take place outside of the app. It also prohibits Apple from discriminating against certain types of apps—such as those in crypto or gaming—when it comes to link access.

“Apple’s continued attempts to interfere with competition will not be tolerated,” wrote Judge Rogers.

Crypto Industry Applauds—”Hugely Bullish” for Mobile Web3

For Web3 app creators, the ruling removes a critical bottleneck.

Crypto commentator Xero, with 50,000 followers on X, declared the move “hugely bullish for mobile crypto games and apps.”
Entrepreneur Alex Masmej echoed the sentiment: “This is absolutely huge for crypto.”

Appfigures CEO Ariel Michaeli noted that Apple updated its developer guidelines, but with “passive aggressive language” that seems to show reluctance. The update confirms that apps can now:

• Link to external NFT collections

• Direct users to off-App Store payment systems

• Bypass Apple’s entitlement process for linking

Epic Games Fires Back with Peace Proposal

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, a key figure in the legal battle against Apple, reacted swiftly. On May 2, he announced plans to bring Fortnite back to the U.S. App Store, contingent on Apple applying the court’s order worldwide.

“If Apple extends the court’s friction-free, Apple-tax-free framework globally, we’ll return Fortnite worldwide and drop litigation,” said Sweeney.

Epic first sued Apple in 2020 over App Store restrictions. Although a ruling came down in 2021, Justice Elena Kagan declined to expedite the appeals process in 2023, leaving parts of the dispute unresolved—until now.

A Turning Point for App Store Policy—and Crypto Accessibility

Apple’s former stranglehold on in-app commerce is showing cracks, and crypto developers are ready to exploit the opening.

The changes mean easier onboarding, smoother transactions, and fewer barriers for blockchain-based apps looking to scale mobile adoption.

This ruling doesn’t just shift policy—it reshapes the playing field for mobile finance, gaming, and decentralized technology.