A US federal judge has ordered Apple to eliminate policies that limited app developers’ ability to direct users to external payment options.
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers’s April 30 ruling marks a pivotal moment for crypto developers building on iOS.
Will Apple Ease Restrictions on ‘Off-App’ Crypto Payments?
According to court filings, the ruling stems from Apple’s long-running legal battle with Epic Games. The gaming company had challenged Apple’s App Store practices as anti-competitive.
In 2021, the court issued an injunction requiring Apple to allow developers to offer alternative payment methods for their application users.
However, Apple responded by adding restrictive features such as warning screens and complicated redirects. These measures discouraged users from leaving its in-app purchase system, where the company takes a 30% commission on transactions.
The court found these changes unacceptable and ruled that Apple cannot add new barriers or charge fees for off-app payments.
“Apple, despite knowing its obligations thereunder, thwarted the Injunction’s goals, and continued its anticompetitive conduct solely to maintain its revenue stream,” the judge wrote.
Under the new directive, Apple cannot charge fees or place additional hurdles for off-app transactions.
For those curious on what the new Apple vs Epic ruling will (and won’t) do for mobile apps:
– Apps can accept crypto payments rather than routing through the Apple app store (with a 30% fee). This is huge for integration with mobile wallets where users can spend their crypto… pic.twitter.com/d66O3NOiNP
The company has since updated its App Store Guidelines to allow developers to include external payment links, provided certain conditions are met.
“Apps may allow users to browse NFT collections owned by others, provided that, except for apps on the United States storefront, the apps may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase,” Apple’s updated guideline reads.
This change opens new possibilities for crypto-based apps that previously struggled under Apple’s tight ecosystem.
Crypto community members pointed out that apps can now support direct payments using digital assets like USDC, ETH, and SOL. This allows them to bypass Apple’s system and avoid the 30% commission.
Also, iOS apps can finally enable in-app NFT purchases. This removes the friction of redirecting users to external web browsers and could significantly improve the mobile user experience.
Moreover, the decision makes it easier for developers to gate app features using NFTs. Apple had previously restricted this practice to prevent fee avoidance.
However, as developers pointed out, fiat-to-crypto onboarding remains a challenge. While the new policy makes crypto use easier once assets are acquired, users still need to complete KYC procedures to purchase tokens.
Charles Schwab, one of the largest brokerage firms in the United States, is preparing to launch a spot cryptocurrency trading platform within the next year.
This marks a major move by one of the most trusted names in traditional finance and shows that demand for crypto investment options continues to climb.
Charles Schwab Eyes Crypto Expansion
During a recent earnings call, Schwab CEO Rick Wurster said the firm is optimistic about upcoming regulatory changes that could allow it to fully enter crypto trading.
“Our expectation is that with the changing regulatory environment, we are hopeful and likely to be able to launch direct spot crypto and our goal is to do that in the next 12 months and we’re on a great path to be able to do that,” Wurster explained.
This move would allow the company to offer direct access to spot crypto trading and place it in direct competition with major players like Coinbase and Binance.
While the company already offers crypto-related products such as Bitcoin futures and crypto ETFs, the addition of direct trading would significantly expand its crypto portfolio. According to the CEO, engagement on these products has grown rapidly in recent months.
Wurster revealed that visits to the firm’s crypto-focused content have surged 400%. Of that traffic, 70% came from users who are not yet customers, showing a growing appetite for digital asset investments.
If these improvements continue, Schwab could debut its spot crypto trading platform before mid-2026. The firm believes its reputation in traditional finance gives it a strategic advantage in expanding into the crypto space.
Meanwhile, Schwab is already dipping its toes into the sector through its role as custodian for Truth.Fi, an upcoming digital investment platform launched by Trump Media and Technology Group. Truth.Fi plans to offer a mix of Bitcoin, separately managed accounts, and other crypto-linked products.
Indeed, Schwab’s potential entry into the sector has drawn attention from other industry leaders. Asset management firm Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley described the brokerage firm’s move as a milestone in crypto’s transition to mainstream finance.
Rachael Horwitz, Chief Marketing Officer at Haun Ventures, echoed that sentiment and encouraged Schwab to consider crypto-collateralized lending as a future offering.
“Schwab should implement crypto-collateralized lending as part of its banking services next,” Horwitz said.
As the broader crypto market begins to recover from recent lows, on-chain data reveals a growing behavioral divide between Bitcoin’s long-term and short-term holders.
Its Long-term holders (LTHs) have resumed net accumulation for the first time since the last local top, while short-term holders (STHs) appear to be exiting the market.
BTC LTHs Return to Accumulation as STHs Capitulate
In a new report, pseudonymous CryptoQuant analyst IT Tech noted that a clear behavioral divide has emerged between BTC’s LTHs and STHs, suggesting the early formation of a re-accumulation phase.
This is based on an assessment of BTC’s Net Position Change for Long-Term Holders (LTH), which, per the analyst, has now flipped positive for the first time since BTC’s last local peak.
“This suggests that experienced, conviction-driven participants are gradually returning to accumulation after several months of sustained distribution. Their activity often reflects strategic, cycle-aware repositioning, not necessarily whale-sized capital flows,” the analyst noted.
Meanwhile, BTC STHs—those who have held BTC for less than 155 days—are selling into weakness, with net outflows remaining firmly in negative territory. This trend suggests capitulation, as newer investors reduce their exposure to the coin in response to recent price troubles.
Bitcoin Long-Term Holder Net Position Change. Source: CryptoQuant
IT Tech noted that this behavioral divergence “tends to signal early stages of a re-accumulation phase.”
“Suppose long-term participants continue increasing their positions while short-term supply gets flushed out. This setup may serve as a constructive base for future price recovery, even if short-term price action remains choppy,” the analyst said.
Momentum Builds for Bitcoin as Buying Pressure Surges
On the daily chart, BTC’s positive Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) reflects increasing investor demand and positive cash flow momentum. This further reinforces the possibility of a bullish breakout as projected by the analyst.
At press time, this momentum indicator, which measures how money flows into and out of an asset, is at 0.10. A positive CMF reading like this indicates that buying pressure outweighs selloffs among market participants and hints at an extended price growth for BTC.
Moreover, the coin’s Aroon Up Line currently sits at 100%, reinforcing the strength of its ongoing uptrend.
An asset’s Aroon Indicator measures the strength and direction of a trend by tracking the time since the highest and lowest prices over a given period. It comprises two lines: Aroon Up, which measures bullish momentum, and Aroon Down, which tracks bearish pressure.
As with BTC, when the Aroon Up line is at 100, it signals strong upward momentum and a dominant bullish trend. This suggests that buying pressure is high, and the price may continue rising.
BTC Bulls Eye New Highs
BTC now trades firmly above the key support formed at $91,851. If the bullish pressure holds and demand rockets, the king coin could continue its uptrend to exchange hands at $95,971.
However, if traders resume profit-taking, this bullish projection will be invalidated. In that scenario, BTC’s price could retest the support at $91,851. Should it fail to hold, its price could fall to reach $87,730.
The crypto market has experienced a volatile start to Q2, with many tokens posting significant surges in recent days. Meme coins, in particular, have seen a resurgence, with older tokens gaining traction and newer ones attracting attention.
BeInCrypto has analyzed five meme coins for investors to watch in the coming month and their potential for further growth.
Turbo (TURBO)
TURBO has shown impressive momentum, gaining more than 191% in the past two weeks, now priced at $0.004313. The altcoin is testing key resistance at $0.004842. As one of the best performing meme coins this month, it continues to attract attention from investors, signaling strong potential for future gains.
This surge has provided relief to investors impacted by the February Death Cross. With TURBO standing at a near three-month high, the outlook remains positive if the broader market trends support further growth. A breakout above the resistance could propel TURBO towards the target of $0.006857, offering additional upside.
Failure to breach $0.004842 could lead to a reversal in the trend. A drop below this resistance would likely see TURBO testing the support level at $0.003304. This would invalidate the bullish scenario and potentially erase much of the recent price increase.
Neiro Ethereum (NEIRO)
NEIRO has experienced a notable resurgence, surging by 256% this week alone. Currently trading at $0.0661, the meme coin is at a four-month high. As NEIRO looks to break the $0.0715 resistance, it could see continued upward momentum if broader market conditions remain favorable.
The potential for NEIRO to breach $0.0715 is strong, with the broader market showing bullish trends as Bitcoin approaches $100,000. This could provide the necessary momentum to push NEIRO towards the $0.0845 resistance. A successful test of this level would solidify recent gains and set the stage for a move to $0.1000.
A failure to break through $0.0715 would likely send NEIRO into a bearish correction. In this scenario, the price could fall through key support at $0.0568, possibly testing $0.0446. This would invalidate the current bullish outlook, highlighting the importance of breaking resistance for continued growth.
Brett (BRETT)
BRETT has shown remarkable growth, up 120% over the past two weeks, trading at $0.054. This surge marks a near-three-month high for the meme coin, driven by a shift in market conditions. The rally suggests strong investor sentiment, fueled by the growing interest in Base meme coins.
As the market shifts, BRETT has captured attention, making it one of the more promising altcoins in its category.
With continued momentum, BRETT could break through the $0.058 resistance level, opening the door to further gains. A move toward $0.072 is plausible, especially as hype surrounding Base meme coins intensifies.
This meme coin also reignites the Solana vs. Base meme coin discourse; however, Alvin Kan, COO at Bitget Wallet, told BeInCrypto that this may not be the case.
“Solana still leads. It’s fast, cheap, and has an army of degens ready to mint and trade anything viral. Base is growing, and Coinbase might help push it further, but it hasn’t built the same retail energy yet. As for AI meme coins—they’re interesting, but still feel like a niche inside a niche. For now, Solana memes dominate the meme meta.”
However, a correction could follow if BRETT fails to breach $0.058. The price might drop through the $0.052 support, potentially reaching as low as $0.042. This decline would invalidate the bullish outlook, signaling a shift in market sentiment. Without sustained support above $0.058, the upward momentum may be short-lived, and bearish conditions could prevail.
Official Trump (TRUMP)
TRUMP has captured investor attention, surging 60% this week to trade at $12.14. The meme coin has reignited interest, driven by market speculation. Its rise comes amid increasing excitement around politically fueled volatility, making it a popular pick for traders looking to capitalize on unpredictable market swings.
Although TRUMP failed to secure $12.57 as a support level, the possibility of achieving this level in the coming weeks remains strong. The US President’s influence on market movements, driven by unexpected announcements, could provide the catalyst needed for TRUMP to rise further, potentially reaching $14.53 as it follows broader financial trends.
Failure to hold $12.57 as support could signal a reversal. In this case, TRUMP may see its price drop to $11.44 or $10.29, undermining the current bullish outlook. This scenario would invalidate the positive momentum, with investors needing to monitor key levels for potential price shifts closely.
Pudgy Penguins (PENGU)
PENGU has experienced significant volatility since January, with massive drawdowns following early interest. However, the meme coin has rebounded sharply, gaining 118% over the past two weeks. This recovery has caught the attention of investors, reigniting hopes for further growth and renewed momentum in the altcoin’s price.
Currently trading at $0.00846, PENGU is nearing key resistance at $0.01007. If the meme coin can maintain its bullish momentum, it presents a promising opportunity for investors. A successful break above this level could attract additional buyers, further driving its price and expanding the interest in this resurgent meme coin.
Failing to breach $0.01007 would likely result in a price decline, with support potentially falling to $0.00718. This would erode recent gains and invalidate the bullish outlook, with a further drop to $0.00549.
