Apple Updates U.S. App Store Guidelines to Allow Apps to Link to External Payment Systems

input: Apple has updated its U.S. App Store guidelines to allow apps to link to external payment systems, a shift welcomed by the crypto community

Apple has updated its U.S. App Store guidelines to allow apps to link to external payment systems, a move that has been welcomed by the crypto community as it will enable non-fungible token (NFT), wallet, and decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms to bypass Apple’s fees.

The changes, which take effect on May 2, 2025, follow a federal court ruling that found Apple in violation of a 2021 injunction stemming from Epic Games’ antitrust lawsuit. The injunction required Apple to let developers direct users to alternative payment methods outside its App Store, where it previously charged up to a 30% commission.

According to the revised U.S. App Store rules, which were updated on April 28, 2025, U.S. developers can now integrate buttons, banners, or links to external websites for digital purchases without Apple’s approval or commissions. This ends Apple’s prior practice of imposing a massive fee on such transactions and displaying “scare screens” warning users about external payment risks.

The crypto sector views this move as pivotal. Apps handling NFTs, DeFi, and wallet services can now avoid Apple’s fees, retaining 15–30% more revenue per transaction. Moreover, developers may use third-party payment processors like Stripe, enhancing flexibility for crypto-native transactions.

Reactions on social media were largely optimistic. “Mobile crypto just got unleashed,” one person posted on May 3, 2025, highlighting benefits for NFTs and DeFi adoption. However, some expressed caution. Critics noted the update applies only to the U.S. App Store, limiting global crypto projects, and Apple still bans apps facilitating initial coin offerings (ICOs) or cryptocurrency mining.

The shift aligns with global antitrust trends, including the EU’s Digital Markets Act, pressuring tech giants to open ecosystems. Apple stated it disagrees with the ruling and plans to appeal, leaving room for future policy changes.

While the App Store guideline update marks progress for U.S. crypto apps, challenges remain. Smaller developers may face user trust issues with external payments, and broader adoption hinges on whether Apple extends the rules globally.