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- Apple has softened its stand on restrictions governing NFTs and crypto iOS apps
- Apple now allows NFT apps to send users to external platforms to complete payments and trades
- The change only applies to U.S.-based apps
Tech heavyweight Apple has eased its stand restricting NFTs and crypto iOS apps from sending users outside the apps to complete payments. Apple updated its guidelines to allow NFT apps to send users to an external platform to complete a payment without incurring the 27% fees previously charged by the tech giant when apps sent users to third-party websites. The change of heart, however, only fully covers NFTs since some crypto apps are still restricted from sending users outside their apps, controlling how iOS-based crypto apps interact with their users outside the Apple ecosystem.
U.S. Developers Favored?
The updated guidelines appear to only favour United States-based iOS developers since they specified that “apps on the United States storefront are “no longer restricted from sending users to external payment methods.
It added that NFT apps on non-U.S. storefronts “may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchases.” Apple requested that other app developers wishing to link to external payment methods “apply for entitlements” and prove that they own or maintain the external payment platform.
On cryptocurrecies, the updated guidelines stated that wallet apps can only be provided by “developers enrolled as an organization.” They also noted that Apple only supports crypto mining apps offering cloud-based mining. Apple also disclosed that it only supports exchange apps for licensed crypto exchanges.
Ruling Made Two Years Ago
The change of heart comes two years after a U.S. court ruled that Apple’s decision to prohibit iOS apps from connecting to third-party payment methods was illegal because it prevents competition. The court was deciding on a case filed by Epic Games seeking to overturn the tech giant’s decision.
With the updated Apple guidelines favouring U.S.-based NFT and crypto apps, it remains to be seen whether developers in other countries will fight to enjoy the same privileges.
