U.S. Court Rules Against Apple’s Payment Restrictions, Boosting Crypto Apps

A federal judge has delivered a significant blow to Apple’s control over payment systems within its ecosystem. The ruling found the tech giant in violation of a 2021 court order by imposing restrictive fees and requirements on external payment processors—including those used by cryptocurrency applications.

The decision liberates crypto apps from Apple’s 30% in-app purchase fee, enabling direct integration with external payment systems. This lowers operational costs for services like NFT marketplaces and crypto trading platforms, potentially accelerating adoption and innovation in the sector.

Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers determined Apple’s practices constituted willful non-compliance amid its ongoing antitrust battle with Epic Games. The verdict underscores growing regulatory scrutiny of Big Tech’s dominance over digital marketplaces.