A U.S. district court has ruled that Apple violated a 2021 injunction in its ongoing antitrust battle with Epic Games. The ruling now prevents Apple from blocking crypto apps or charging commissions on purchases made outside its ecosystem—a shift industry insiders are calling “hugely bullish” for the crypto sector.

Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers declared Apple in “willful violation” of the injunction, ordering immediate changes. The court made clear that Apple can no longer impose fees, audit external transactions, or stop developers from linking to outside payment options, including crypto and NFT platforms. “This is an injunction, not a negotiation,” Rogers warned, adding that Apple must comply without delay.

The ruling effectively dismantles Apple's longstanding grip over in-app monetization, which has included up to 30% commissions on sales. Developers can now freely direct users to external sites for purchases without needing Apple’s approval or paying its so-called “Apple Tax.”

Crypto apps are among the biggest winners, with developers now able to integrate direct payment links and external NFT marketplaces. Ariel Michaeli, CEO of Appfigures, noted the shift in Apple’s guidelines, although he pointed out their “passive-aggressive” tone. Still, crypto voices like “Xero” and Alex Masmej hailed the update as a massive leap forward for mobile crypto innovation.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney also celebrated the win, offering Apple a peace deal: if these changes are applied globally, Epic will relaunch Fortnite on the App Store and drop all future litigation.

The court’s decision signals a new era for app developers and crypto firms alike, breaking Apple’s stronghold and opening the door to frictionless Web3 experiences on mobile.