TL;DR:
Apple just got smacked in court by Epic Games
Apple can no longer block crypto payments or NFT apps.
Onchain mobile apps are finally free to scale.
This is huge for devs — and even bigger for you. Let’s break it down.
The Backstory: The Lawsuit That Changed Everything
In 2020, Epic Games — the $32B studio behind Fortnite — sued Apple after getting banned from the App Store for using their own in-app payment system.
Apple’s rule?
Force all in-app purchases through Apple Pay. Take 30%. Or get kicked.
Epic said: nah.
After four years of legal warfare, a federal court finally ruled:
Apple broke the law.
In short:
Apple can’t block apps from using outside payment systems.
Apple can’t charge fees on payments it doesn’t process.
Apple can’t stop apps from linking to those payments or displaying NFTs.
Apple execs were even referred to federal prosecutors for contempt.
This ruling crushes Apple’s monopoly and opens the App Store for real innovation.
The Crypto Opportunity: Why This Is a Game-Changer
This ruling doesn’t just free up developers — it opens the floodgates for crypto-native mobile apps.
Here’s what changes immediately:
Stablecoin payments can now compete.
You’ll start seeing apps that let you pay with USDC, ETH, or even points in your wallet — no middleman.
→ That means faster payments, lower fees, and no Apple tax baked into prices.
NFTs can be displayed, linked, and sold in-app.
Previously, NFT apps got nerfed or banned. Now they can run full-force on iOS.
→ Expect an explosion in crypto-native games, collectibles, and membership apps.
Developers can keep 100% of what you pay.
No more 30% haircut to Apple.
→ That margin can go back into product growth, user rewards, and tokenomics.
What This Means for YOU (Not Just Devs)
This isn’t just about Fortnite. This is about everything that comes next — and it touches every crypto user.
Lower costs: No 30% tax = cheaper minting, gaming, and subscriptions.
Better UX: Use your wallet, not your credit card. Trustless. Seamless.
More apps: We’ll finally see NFT games, token-gated platforms, and mobile DeFi scale properly.
Real ownership: Buy, sell, and trade in-app assets with zero friction.
Why This Could Spark the Next Onchain Wave
Here’s what’s wild:
Most users access the internet through mobile.
But crypto has been stuck in desktop-first mode.
Apple’s 30% cut killed the incentive to build great mobile-first crypto products.
That’s over now.
This ruling puts crypto on the offensive. Builders can now ship mobile apps with:
Native NFT integration
Stablecoin and token payments
No centralized choke point
No App Store gatekeeping
We’re entering the consumer crypto era — and this was the unlock.
What Comes Next?
This will take time to play out, but early winners include:
Stablecoins: USDC and others will see way more mobile usage.
Wallet apps: Mobile wallets become the new payment layer.
Crypto games: Watch for the return of Web3 gaming. But this time, with reach.
NFT marketplaces: Native iOS onboarding = more users, more volume.
SocialFi: Paid memberships, token tipping, and creator rewards are now viable.
Expect to see serious airdrops, usage incentives, and VC money pouring into crypto consumer apps post-ruling.
Final Take:
For years, Apple taxed innovation.
Crypto now gets to move fast — on mobile, at scale, without the middlemen.
This is the App Store’s DeFi moment.
If you’re building, it’s game on.
If you’re investing, you have utility.
And if you’re using crypto apps — the experience is about to get a lot better.
Welcome to the next phase of onchain. Mobile-native. Fee-free. And finally wide open.
Stay ahead. Stay Nugg’d.
-Nick
Founder, CryptoNuggs