A landmark court ruling in Epic Games’ ongoing battle with Apple has opened significant opportunities for cryptocurrency applications, particularly in the gaming and NFT sectors. A California judge found Apple engaging in anticompetitive practices, forcing changes to App Store policies that will allow crypto apps to link directly to external marketplaces and bypass Apple’s controversial fees.
The ruling represents a major victory for crypto developers who have long struggled with Apple’s restrictive policies, which previously forced many blockchain applications to either leave the App Store or implement workarounds that created poor user experiences.
Breaking Down Apple’s Walled Garden
Under the new rules, US apps are no longer barred from adding external links, buttons, or other pathways that direct users to leave the app and “browse NFT collections owned by others.” This change fundamentally alters how crypto applications can operate on iOS devices, potentially reshaping the mobile blockchain landscape.
Previously, Apple’s App Store guidelines prioritized in-app purchases and heavily restricted developers’ ability to link to external marketplaces. The “Apple tax” — commissions of up to 30% on in-app purchases — made many crypto business models economically unviable on the platform.
The ruling specifically addresses Apple’s “continued attempts to interfere with competition,” mandating that the company allow US App Store apps to include pathways to external pages and encourage users to visit those pages without penalty.
Immediate Impact on Crypto Gaming
The implications for blockchain gaming are particularly significant. Previously, crypto games had to employ creative but confusing workarounds to navigate Apple’s restrictions. Some games would vaguely hint to users via in-game messages that the “PC version” offered items not available on the iOS version’s shop, without providing direct links or clear instructions.
This approach created frustrating user experiences and likely confused many players. With the new ruling, crypto games can now provide transparent, direct links to external marketplaces where users can purchase NFTs and other digital assets without paying Apple’s fees.
Industry leaders have responded enthusiastically to the changes. Mythical Games COO Arron Goolsbey praised Apple’s decision, noting that it opens the door to “a wider, more connected future,” even if Apple was reluctant to make these changes.
Sam Barberie, head of strategy and partnerships at Sequence, called the development “massive” for NFTs and blockchain games, highlighting how the ruling removes major friction points for mainstream adoption.
Economic Implications for Developers
The financial impact of this ruling could be transformative for crypto developers. Apple’s fees of up to 30% on in-app purchases made many blockchain business models unsustainable on mobile devices. By allowing external links, developers can now process transactions through their own channels, retaining more revenue and potentially offering lower prices to consumers.
For smaller developers trying to break even, these changes could mean the difference between viability and failure. More established firms looking to boost revenue and achieve long-term growth will also benefit significantly from the new policy environment.
The ruling particularly benefits indie crypto games that can now operate more sustainably and transparently with users, without resorting to “gray-area phrasing” or confusing workarounds that previously characterized the iOS crypto gaming experience.
Broader App Store Ecosystem Changes
The changes aren’t limited to crypto applications. Epic Games announced it would finally bring Fortnite back to the US iOS App Store following the ruling, ending a years-long absence that began when the dispute first erupted. European gamers have had access to Fortnite through Epic’s own games store since August 2024, thanks to the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
Apple also approved a Spotify update that will let the streaming giant offer more pay transparency and external links for users, demonstrating how the ruling’s impact extends across multiple app categories.
For crypto specifically, marketplaces like OpenSea can now directly link to web versions where users can buy NFTs without incurring Apple’s fees. This creates a more seamless user experience and could significantly increase mobile NFT trading volumes.
Mobile Gaming’s Growing Importance
The timing of this ruling is particularly significant given mobile gaming’s increasing dominance in the blockchain sector. According to Game7 Research, mobile games were already the most popular platform for crypto game developers in 2024, making up approximately 30% of that market.
With the removal of major friction points, mobile could become an even larger portion of the blockchain gaming ecosystem. The accessibility and user base of mobile devices, combined with the new ability to conduct external transactions without excessive fees, creates ideal conditions for growth.
The ruling acknowledges that while making users leave the app “still isn’t ideal,” it represents a significant improvement over the previous situation. The ability to provide direct, transparent links to external marketplaces eliminates the confusing workarounds that previously characterized the iOS crypto experience.
Industry Reactions and Future Implications
Crypto industry leaders have been overwhelmingly positive about the ruling’s implications. Immutable cofounder Robbie Ferguson emphasized that “such high fees made it unviable for most Web3 games to target mainstream audiences on the US appstore, but now the friction is gone.”
While acknowledging that “we’ve still got a long way to go before Web3 gaming is truly mass-market,” Ferguson noted that “a huge source of friction just got removed.” This sentiment reflects a broader industry recognition that while this ruling doesn’t solve all challenges facing crypto gaming, it removes one of the most significant barriers to mainstream adoption.
The ruling could accelerate innovation in mobile blockchain applications, as developers can now design experiences without working around Apple’s restrictive policies. This could lead to more sophisticated crypto games, NFT applications, and DeFi tools specifically optimized for mobile users.
Remaining Challenges and Limitations
While the ruling represents significant progress, several challenges remain for crypto applications on mobile devices. The requirement that users still need to leave apps to make external transactions creates some friction, even if it’s less than before.
Additionally, the ruling applies specifically to US apps, meaning developers may need to maintain different versions for different regions. The global nature of cryptocurrency markets means this fragmentation could create additional complexity for developers and users alike.
The long-term impact will depend on how aggressively Apple implements the court’s mandates and whether the company attempts to find new ways to maintain its control over the iOS ecosystem. Tech giants often adapt to regulatory restrictions in ways that maintain their market power while nominally complying with legal requirements.
Looking Ahead: A More Open Mobile Ecosystem
The Epic Games ruling could represent a turning point for crypto on mobile devices, potentially heralding a more open and competitive ecosystem where developers have greater freedom to innovate and users have more choice in how they interact with blockchain applications.
For the cryptocurrency industry, this comes at a crucial time. As blockchain technology matures and seeks mainstream adoption, mobile accessibility becomes increasingly important. The ability to provide seamless, cost-effective experiences on iOS devices could significantly accelerate user acquisition and retention for crypto applications.
The ruling’s emphasis on preventing anticompetitive practices aligns with the cryptocurrency industry’s core values of decentralization and open access. By breaking down barriers that prevented fair competition, the court decision could help create the conditions necessary for crypto to reach its full potential on mobile platforms.
As the industry continues to evolve, this ruling may be remembered as a pivotal moment that helped bridge the gap between blockchain technology and mainstream mobile users, opening new pathways for adoption that could accelerate the integration of cryptocurrency into everyday digital experiences.
This article was published on May 5, 2025, and reflects information available as of that date.
