Apple has approved a new update to the Spotify app that allows users to purchase through external payment systems, bypassing Apple’s in-app payment system and its 30% commission fee. This decision follows a recent court ruling against Apple’s long-standing payment policy.
Although Apple plans to appeal the ruling, the change is already being implemented, with major effects expected across the app ecosystem, especially for crypto, NFT, and DeFi developers.
A Big Win for App Developers
This policy change gives developers more freedom by letting them link to external websites for payments, rather than using Apple’s system, which takes a 30% cut of all transactions.
Spotify is one of the first major apps to benefit from this shift, and others are expected to follow. For years, developers have criticized Apple’s fee structure as restrictive and unfair, especially for businesses operating on tight margins.
Positive News for Crypto and NFT Platforms
The update has powerful implications for crypto and Web3 apps. Until now, developers of decentralized finance (DeFi), NFT marketplaces, and blockchain-based apps struggled with Apple’s strict payment rules and high fees. With the new allowance for external payments, these platforms can now offer users direct access to tokens, NFTs, or DeFi tools without losing revenue to Apple’s commission.
This could also speed up adoption of Web3 services on iOS, as users will be able to interact more freely with decentralized apps, and developers won’t have to design workarounds to comply with Apple’s rules.
Despite approving Spotify’s update, Apple has not fully accepted the outcome. The company plans to appeal the court ruling, which means future changes are still possible