For years, Apple treated crypto payments inside iOS apps the way a bouncer treats a fake ID: instant rejection. That era is now officially over.
As of early May 2025, Apple updated its US App Store policies to permit iOS apps to include external links directing users to third-party payment methods for Bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies, and NFTs. The change eliminates one of the most significant barriers between Apple’s massive user base and the broader crypto economy.
What actually changed
Under the previous rules, crypto-focused apps were explicitly banned from including any links or prompts that directed users to external payment options for purchasing digital assets. If you wanted to buy Bitcoin through an iOS app, you either did it through Apple’s in-app purchase system, which collected a 30% commission, or you didn’t do it at all. Most developers chose the latter.
The updated policy, which applies exclusively to the US App Store, now allows developers to route users to outside payment channels for crypto and NFT transactions. In English: apps can now tell users “hey, tap here to buy Bitcoin on our website” without Apple taking a cut or pulling the app from the store.
