Apple Faces Legal Heat Over Alleged Crypto Restrictions in iOS Apps

• Apple sued over alleged anti-competitive agreements with payment apps that restrict crypto features on iOS
• Lawsuit cites App Store rules that limit crypto transactions and prevent direct P2P payments in payment apps
• Apple is sole defendant; lawsuit covers claims from iOS payment app users since Nov 2019, exempts Apple & partners from making claims

Apple has entered into anti-competitive agreements with major payment apps that restrict certain crypto features on iOS devices, a new class action lawsuit alleges. The suit claims that Apple’s agreements with competitors like PayPal, Block, and Google prevent their iOS apps from enabling decentralized crypto transfers on their platforms.

The Lawsuit’s Key Details

Filed on November 17th in California, the lawsuit cites Apple’s App Store rules that only allow apps to handle crypto transactions through approved exchanges in select regions. The plaintiffs argue this prevents iOS payment apps from supporting direct peer-to-peer crypto payments. The suit seeks damages and injunctions against Apple’s alleged anti-competitive behavior regarding crypto.

Who’s Named in the Lawsuit

While major payment apps like PayPal, Block’s Cash App, and Google Pay are referenced in the lawsuit, they are not listed as defendants. Only Apple is named as a defendant in the class action suit, which covers claims from U.S. customers of iOS payment apps since November 2019. The suit allows corporate entities to make claims but exempts Apple, PayPal, Google and related parties from doing so.

Other Apps Impacted

The lawsuit argues Apple’s policies have blocked other crypto wallet apps with P2P features from the App Store, like Zeus and Damus. The latter attracted attention after its removal from the iOS store despite compliance attempts. The suit makes no mention of other crypto apps like Uniswap, Metamask or Coinbase Wallet that have also faced App Store difficulties.