A United States district judge has ruled against Apple, stating the tech giant willfully violated an existing injunction in its antitrust dispute with Epic Games. The ruling, delivered by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, now allows crypto app developers to direct users to payment systems outside of Apple’s tightly controlled ecosystem without facing restrictions or the company’s customary hefty fees.
Judge Rogers’ strongly worded April 30th court filing emphasized that Apple’s continued attempts to stifle competition would not be tolerated. The order mandates that Apple “effective immediately” cease impeding developers’ ability to communicate with their users about alternative payment options and refrain from imposing new commissions on purchases made outside of their app store. This ruling effectively prevents Apple from controlling how developers design or place links that guide users to external purchasing avenues and prohibits the exclusion of specific app categories from accessing this linking capability.
Apple started emailing developers about the impact of yesterday's injunction and you can tell whoever wrote this was bitter.
— Ariel from Appfigures (@arielmichaeli) May 2, 2025
Here they are in plain English in case you find Apple's passive aggressive language confusing.
In the US:
3.1.1 – Apps can now link to an external NFT… pic.twitter.com/3TFsNQuU66
Immediate Impact on Crypto Apps and Potential Market Shift
The immediate aftermath of the ruling has been palpable within the cryptocurrency industry. Updated Apple guidelines, while noted by some for their potentially “passive aggressive language,” now explicitly state that apps can link to external non-fungible token (NFT) collections and payment systems without requiring special entitlements. This development has been hailed as “hugely bullish for mobile crypto games and apps” by prominent crypto commentators. The ability to bypass Apple’s in-app purchase system directly addresses long-standing concerns about the significant fees, often up to 30%, that Apple levies on digital transactions within its ecosystem. This newfound freedom could lead to more competitive pricing and innovative business models for crypto-related applications.
Fortnite’s Potential Return and Broader Implications
The ripple effects of this ruling extend beyond the crypto sphere. Following the court’s decision, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced a “peace proposal,” suggesting the relaunch of Fortnite on the US Apple App Store if Apple extends the court’s “friction-free, Apple-tax-free framework worldwide.” This bold move underscores the broader implications of the legal victory, potentially paving the way for other developers to challenge Apple’s control over its app store and in-app payment systems globally.
We will return Fortnite to the US iOS App Store next week.
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) April 30, 2025
Epic puts forth a peace proposal: If Apple extends the court's friction-free, Apple-tax-free framework worldwide, we'll return Fortnite to the App Store worldwide and drop current and future litigation on the topic. https://t.co/bIRTePm0Tv
While Apple has yet to respond to Epic’s proposal, the ruling marks a significant shift in the power dynamic between Apple and app developers, potentially ushering in an era of greater flexibility and competition within the mobile app marketplace.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.
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