Apple Must Allow External Payments After Judge Ruling

A U.S. judge just handed down a decision that could reshape how you interact with crypto apps on Apple devices. The ruling forces Apple to ease its grip on in-app payments — a move that many developers and users have been waiting for.

Good to know

• Developers are now allowed to link users to external payment sites from inside their apps.
• Apple must stop charging commissions on purchases made outside the App Store.
• Crypto apps could become easier and cheaper to use on iPhones.

The change came from a case involving Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite. Epic had been pushing back against Apple’s strict payment rules for years. The court had already ordered Apple to allow more flexibility, but Apple found ways to keep control. That changed when the judge ruled that Apple must immediately stop charging fees or commissions on purchases made outside of its App Store.

What changes now for crypto apps?

Apple can no longer block developers from including links in their apps that send users to third-party websites. These links can now lead directly to payment pages where users can make purchases — without going through Apple’s system or paying its 15% to 30% cut.

This shift is especially helpful for crypto apps. Until now, many of them had to build around Apple’s restrictions, which slowed down innovation and raised costs for users. Want to buy Bitcoin, send some ETH, or pick up an NFT inside an app? You often had to deal with added friction and extra fees.

Now that developers can take users outside Apple’s payment wall, those steps could become much smoother — and cheaper.

Reactions from the crypto and gaming world

Crypto advocates quickly responded. One popular voice on X summed it up: “This is huge for crypto on mobile.” The impact could be broad, as mobile usage plays a major role in crypto adoption, especially among younger users.

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, also welcomed the decision. He said he would consider putting Fortnite back on the U.S. App Store, but only if Apple applies the new policy across the globe.

Implications for you

If you use crypto apps on iPhones, you might start to see more direct payment options — without having to pay extra fees to Apple. Developers will have more freedom to improve their apps and offer better services. And that means that consequently you, as the user, will likely enjoy a smoother experience when buying, trading, or managing digital assets.