Apple released new guidelines concerning cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in the App Store. This reversal arrives on the heels of a stormy blue wave of legal waves crashing on the company’s business model. This action follows a hard-fought yearlong legal battle with Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite. Epic Games has been taking a hard look at Apple’s App Store restrictions. Hopefully, these updated guidelines will create additional paths for crypto developers in the Apple ecosystem.
Background of the Legal Battle
This legal battle between Apple and Epic Games started in August 2020 when Epic Games first filed a lawsuit against Apple. Epic Games argued that the App Store’s rules were anti-competitive and killed innovation. This lawsuit goes straight at the heart of Apple’s monopoly hold on its App Store. It cuts into the claim that Apple makes billions in revenue off app sales and in-app purchases.
That battle broke out after Apple began requiring all in-app purchases be channeled through its proprietary payment system. This policy forces developers to strap a whopping 30% commission on their projects. Epic Games attempted to sidestep this requirement by implementing its own payment system directly in the Fortnite app. That maneuver led to the app being kicked out of the App Store and a year long legal war.
Court Ruling and Policy Revision
In April of 2025, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers issued a final ruling. She ruled that Apple had intentionally broken a 2021 permanent injunction ordered by the court in the Epic Games lawsuit. The ruling is already having a demonstrable chilling effect on Apple’s future behavior. As a result, the tech giant is reportedly reconsidering its App Store restrictions, particularly those that govern cryptocurrencies and NFTs.
The revised guidelines are more permissive towards developers seeking to incorporate crypto and NFT features into their applications. Though the updated policies have yet to publicly disclose exact figures, these changes show a much more welcoming attitude toward these new and future technologies. This adjustment could encourage developers to explore new applications and functionalities within the Apple ecosystem, potentially attracting a new wave of users and innovation.
Implications for Developers and the Crypto Space
Even Apple’s App Store has loosened its restrictions on NFTs and crypto. Whether this change is as unambiguous as developers and the broader crypto ecosystem would be profoundly affected by this change. By easing these restrictions, Apple stands to gain more and better developers who are interested in making crypto-related applications available through its marketplace. This can set off a 2nd wave of disruptive apps built on blockchain. Users of EMERGE will experience cutting-edge new ways to interact with digital assets.
Additionally, this unprecedented policy move may further legitimize crypto and NFTs in the mainstream market. Apple’s App Store gives you access to hundreds of millions of users all over the world. By leveraging existing crypto-related apps, it could further increase awareness and adoption of these exciting technologies. This move may encourage other major tech companies to adopt similar approaches, further driving the growth of the crypto industry.
