The recent change in Apple’s rules regarding crypto apps marks a significant transformation. The decision by a U.S. federal judge has required Apple to remove the limitations on apps that allow payments outside of the Apple ecosystem, without additional fees. This development represents a groundbreaking shift for the crypto industry and related mobile applications.
The court ruling against Apple: willful violation of the 2021 injunction
On April 30, 2024, federal judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers declared that Apple had willfully violated an injunction issued in 2021, in the context of the antitrust legal battle against Epic Games. The injunction had been designed to prevent anti-competitive conduct and pricing practices by Apple.
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In the official document, the judge stated: “Apple is in willful violation of the injunction, which prohibits anticompetitive conduct.” Furthermore, she reiterated that no further interference with competition will be tolerated, emphasizing the urgency in implementing the changes.
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The court order emphasizes that the changes must be implemented effectively and immediately. Apple can no longer hinder developers’ ability to communicate with users, nor can it impose a commission on sales made outside the app.
The ruling clearly states:
- Apple cannot impose any commission or fee on purchases outside the app.
- Apple cannot control or limit how developers create or position links that direct users to purchases outside the Apple environment.
- No category of apps or developers can be excluded from accessing external links.
These measures represent a radical change in Apple’s policies, with an evident shift towards greater openness and respect for competition.
Implications for the crypto industry on Apple devices: a strongly positive signal
Operators in the crypto sector welcomed the news with enthusiasm. Ariel Michaeli, CEO of Appfigures, highlighted that the more passive-aggressive language of the new regulations might be confusing, but the impact remains fundamental.
From the crypto world, the commentator known as “Xero” described the event as “hugely positive for games and crypto apps on mobile.” Similarly, Alex Masmej stated: “This decision is absolutely crucial for the crypto world.”
This shift allows cryptocurrency developers to:
- Offer direct payments without having to go through Apple’s system, avoiding commissions of up to 30%.
- Allow a freer communication with users, improving the experience and transparency.
- Expand the scope of their services without arbitrary restrictions on links and commercial content.
The liberalization of these aspects opens the door to a more dynamic and competitive ecosystem, fostering innovation and the expansion of mobile crypto apps.
Consequences for the App Store ecosystem: repercussions for Apple and Epic Games
The ruling follows a long and heated legal battle with Epic Games, known for its game Fortnite. Tim Sweeney himself, CEO of Epic, announced that Fortnite will return to the US App Store in accordance with the new rules. He also proposed that if Apple were to extend the commission-free system globally, Epic would withdraw current and future legal cases on the matter.
The court order indicates that Apple can neither monitor nor require reports on user purchases outside the app, effectively eliminating control and data collection tools that made the Apple environment particularly closed.
However, internal comments and upheavals in the sector suggest that Apple is not entirely satisfied with the decision. The changes seem to have been introduced with a cautious and unenthusiastic tone, but bound by an unavoidable legal obligation.
What is not specified and future prospects
It is not completely clear how Apple will manage the technical implementation and control of the flow of users towards external payments in the long term. The document does not detail the verification and security mechanisms related to such operations, and it is not known if there could be further regulatory changes.
In any case, the court’s decision has set an important precedent that requires Apple to limit its power over in-app transactions. This could pave the way for new innovations in the field of mobile applications, especially for the crypto sector, already rapidly growing.
A new chapter for crypto apps on iOS
The removal of the restrictions imposed by Apple represents a true revolution in the management of crypto apps on iOS devices. Developers will now be able to innovate without having to face unfair commissions or artificial barriers imposed by a closed ecosystem.
As a result, a significant increase in developments in the sector is expected, along with a greater spread of blockchain and crypto technologies in the mobile market. This change could accelerate the adoption of decentralized solutions and strengthen the competitiveness of the sector as a whole.
Users, in turn, will benefit from wider choices and reduced costs, while entrepreneurs will be able to invest more in new features and products.
The future of crypto apps on iOS thus opens up a horizon full of opportunities and challenges, where the dialogue between developers, companies, and regulatory authorities will be crucial to consolidating a fair and innovative digital ecosystem.
