The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced a proposal aimed at breaking Apple’s near‑monopoly over contactless NFC payments on iPhones. The regulator argues that Apple’s fees and restrictive rules are preventing UK fintech firms and other businesses from innovating and expanding, and it is calling for substantially lower charges and open access to Apple’s closed standards.
According to the CMA, the United Kingdom is a leading fintech hub that supports more than 360,000 jobs. Contactless technology now accounts for 39 percent of all payments in the country, with Apple Wallet the most widely used option. The authority says Apple’s fees and access terms for NFC technology risk blocking fintechs from developing new services because they are “onerous.” It also notes that, unlike in the European Union, “not a single firm has launched a wallet‑type product to compete with Apple’s in the UK.”
The CMA’s proposal mirrors the arrangement reached in Europe in 2024, when Apple agreed to give developers access to NFC technology for tap‑and‑go payments, as well as iOS features such as Face ID authentication and double‑click to pay. That deal saved Apple from a potential antitrust fine of up to 10 percent of its global annual turnover. Apple later extended third‑party access to those functions to other regions with the release of iOS 18.1. While UK developers can now use the same features, they remain confined to Apple’s ecosystem and must pay the company’s fees.
To address this, the CMA is asking Apple to open Wallet access to the main contactless standards used internationally, allowing UK firms to launch payment services already available in the EU. The regulator says its evidence shows that neither technology raises inherent security concerns. It also wants any access to Apple’s services to be commercially viable. Rather than setting specific prices, the CMA plans to propose principles for determining rates, expecting them to be substantially lower than current fees.
The consultation period ends on 17 November 2026, after which the CMA will issue a final decision based on the responses received.
Apple has objected to the proposal. In a statement provided to Engadget, the company said: “Apple has made it possible for developers in the UK and around the world to securely offer contactless transactions directly within their apps through the NFC and SE Platform — for everything from in‑store payments and transit passes to car keys and event tickets. This solution enables developers and banks to create innovative products and services for their customers and facilitates competition between wallets, while ensuring users’ sensitive data remains protected by the highest security standards. We do not believe the CMA should require Apple to adopt an approach with lower privacy and security protections. We will continue to engage constructively to reach an outcome that is in the best interest of our users.”