Apple’s Game-Changing Move: Unlocking NFC Technology for Third-Party Developers

In a significant announcement, Apple has revealed that it will soon allow third-party developers from countries in the European Union (EU) and select other regions to access the Near Field Communication (NFC) technology on iPhone, starting with an upcoming beta build of iOS 18.1. This move has sent shockwaves through the crypto industry, as it could pave the way for Web3 wallet services to offer tap-to-pay functionality.

The NFC technology, currently restricted to Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, supports contactless payments. Circle Co-Founder and CEO Jeremy Allaire has urged wallet developers to work on supporting Apple’s NFC payments technology, which could enable tap-to-pay transactions on Web3 wallet and crypto wallet apps. With this technology, users would be able to confirm payments using FaceID and initiate transactions over the blockchain to settle digital currencies like USDC.

Ali Jamal, CEO of Cryptos Consultancy, has hailed Apple’s decision as a “game-changing move” that sets the stage for a new era in crypto payments. She notes that this move extends beyond USDC, facilitating payments with other stablecoins, NFTs, and more, leveraging high-performance blockchains like Solana and Avalanche for seamless, low-fee transactions.

This development could make crypto payments as easily accessible and accepted as traditional payments. Apple has faced criticism for its App Store policies, deemed unfair by crypto-related app makers. However, the company has yet to clarify whether crypto-related apps will be allowed to access the NFC functionality on the iPhone with the upcoming iOS 18.1 beta.

The implications of this move are significant, as it could enable seamless and secure transactions for crypto enthusiasts worldwide. With Apple’s NFC technology now open to third-party developers, the possibilities for Web3 wallet services and crypto payments are vast.