Apple Loosens App Store Rules After Court Defeat, Opening Door for NFT and Crypto Payments

Apple Eases U.S. App Store Restrictions, Allowing NFT and Crypto Apps to Bypass 30% Fee

A recent court ruling in favor of Epic Games has prompted Apple to revise its App Store policies in the U.S., marking a pivotal moment for apps offering cryptocurrency and NFT transactions.

U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled this week that Apple must allow developers to include external links or buttons directing users to alternative payment methods—those not subject to Apple’s standard 30% commission or its slightly reduced 27% fee for external purchases. The ruling applies specifically to apps distributed through the U.S. App Store.

This decision follows a years-long legal battle between Apple and Epic Games, which began in 2020 after Apple removed Epic’s popular game Fortnite from the App Store. Epic had introduced a workaround to Apple's in-app purchase system, triggering a high-profile clash over app market dominance and developer rights.

Previously, apps that dealt in NFTs—such as OpenSea—were technically allowed on the App Store, but developers often disabled direct purchasing features to avoid the hefty commission fees. Others, like MetaMask, circumvented this by integrating internal browsers to facilitate off-app payments.

Apple’s new policy marks a significant shift for the U.S. app ecosystem, particularly for Web3 developers who rely on direct payments for crypto and NFT-related features. However, the changes are geographically limited. Apple’s guidelines still prohibit external purchasing links for apps available outside the United States. Moreover, the company continues to restrict certain crypto functionalities globally, including mining operations and apps that offer users cryptocurrency as a reward for completing tasks.

Despite Apple’s intention to appeal the ruling, the policy update will take immediate effect in the U.S., potentially ushering in a wave of crypto-enabled apps. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney confirmed that Fortnite will return to the U.S. App Store as early as next week.

A Turning Point for Crypto in the App Economy

As the boundaries between traditional app marketplaces and decentralized finance blur, Apple’s compliance—though reluctant—may represent a broader shift in how platforms treat blockchain-integrated technologies. While regulatory and platform constraints remain in place, this ruling signals growing momentum for crypto and NFT adoption within mainstream mobile ecosystems.