US Judge Orders Apple to Drop Restrictions on Crypto Apps, Enabling External Payments

A US district judge has ruled that Apple must immediately cease impeding crypto app developers from directing users to make payments outside its ecosystem, removing previous restrictions and commissions on off-app purchases. The court declared Apple in willful violation of a prior antitrust injunction and mandated immediate compliance, including lifting controls over external links, purchases, and developer communication. Apple consequently updated its guidelines, now allowing apps to link to NFT collections and external payment methods, fueling significant optimism in the crypto industry. Influencers and developers hailed the move as a major step for crypto adoption, with expectations that it will encourage the growth of mobile crypto apps and games by reducing operational costs and broadening user access.