Coinbase claims Apple blocks its wallet app from releasing NFTs

Self-custody wallet Coinbase announced that its users can no longer send NFTs due to an in-app purchase dispute with Apple, according to a Dec.2 Coinbase tweet.

Apple’s App Review Team told Coinbase they would take a 30% cut of the gas fee from every NFT transaction, and the amount is to be paid through their In-App Purchase system.

Because Coinbase could not comply with Apple’s request, Coinbase Wallet’s latest app release is blocked until it disables its NFT-sending feature. 

Coinbase explained that the policy was similar to Apple attempting to take a cut of fees for every email that gets sent over the internet.

Coinbase went on to say that ‘for anyone who understands how NFTs and blockchains work, this is clearly not possible,’ adding that Apple’s ‘proprietary In-App Purchase system does not support crypto so we couldn’t comply even if we tried.’

Apple’s new policies to protect their profits come at the expense of developer innovation across the crypto space, according to Coinbase.

Photo: Getty