# Apple Prepares to Challenge UK Regulator Over Apple Pay NFC Access Rules > Apple is set to fight UK Competition and Markets Authority proposals that would let iPhone users pick third-party wallets over Apple Pay for contactless payments. - Published: 2026-10-16T17:06:28+00:00 - Section: Regulation & Approvals - Author: News Desk - URL: https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-16/apple-uk-apple-pay-nfc-rules - Source: [TradingView](https://www.tradingview.com/news/stocktwits:ce73e78ed094b:0-aapl-stock-adds-1-as-it-prepares-to-tackle-uk-regulators-over-apple-pay-dominance/) ## Key takeaways - The UK Competition and Markets Authority plans draft proposals requiring Apple to let iPhone users choose third-party digital wallets over Apple Pay for contactless transactions. - Apple is expected to challenge the proposal in court, arguing that limiting NFC chip access protects user privacy and prevents fraud. - Opening the iPhone's payment chip would benefit banks and fintechs including Monzo, Revolut and PayPal, which have criticised Apple's 0.15% fee on credit card transactions via Apple Pay. [Apple](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/00004h1/apple) Inc. is preparing to fight UK antitrust regulators over proposed rules that would let iPhone users choose third-party digital wallets instead of Apple Pay for contactless payments. The Competition and Markets Authority plans to publish draft consultation proposals urging Apple to alter its iOS operating system, [TradingView](https://www.tradingview.com/news/stocktwits:ce73e78ed094b:0-aapl-stock-adds-1-as-it-prepares-to-tackle-uk-regulators-over-apple-pay-dominance/) reported. ## CMA Proposals Target Apple's NFC Chip The UK regulator's recommendations follow its decision last year to assign Apple "strategic market status" under Britain's digital competition rules. That framework grants authorities five-year oversight powers and permits fines reaching up to 10% of a company's annual global revenues for non-compliance. Apple is likely to challenge the CMA's proposal in court, according to sources cited by the Financial Times. The iPhone maker has consistently argued that maintaining strict control over its Near Field Communication chip used in contactless payments is necessary to preserve user security and prevent payment fraud. Neither Apple nor the CMA responded to requests for comment. Opening access to the iPhone's embedded payment chip would represent a major win for major financial institutions and fintech firms like PayPal, Revolut and Monzo. Banks and digital payment services have long criticised Apple for restricting tap-to-pay access and taking a 0.15% fee on credit card transactions processed via Apple Pay. Apple currently permits third-party access to its NFC hardware under commercial agreements that require providers to adhere to specific privacy standards and pay operational fees, but antitrust officials argue these hurdles stifle competition and harm British consumers. Industry sources told the Financial Times that current restrictions prevent European fintech innovations from entering the UK market, as firms are reluctant to build separate digital wallet systems for Britain and Europe. ## Apple's Scale Behind the Wallet Fight Apple, founded in 1976 and headquartered in Cupertino, is a public company with more than 10,000 employees, according to [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data). The same records put its Q2 FY2026 revenue at approximately $111.2 billion, up 17% year-over-year, with iPhone sales of $57 billion and Services revenue of $31 billion. The Services segment carries approximately 76.7% gross margin. Apple's valuation estimate stands at $25 billion or more, with total funding of $10.7 billion. ## Earlier Apple Moves This Year In March 2026, Apple acquired MotionVFX to enhance Final Cut Pro with professional effects and plugins, extending its creator-tools vertical, according to akta.pro company records. John Ternus succeeded Tim Cook as CEO on September 1, 2025, marking the first CEO transition since 2011 and triggering a hardware engineering reorganisation under new Chief Hardware Officer Johny Srouji. In January 2025, Apple acquired Israeli company TrueMeeting for real-time 3D avatar technology from face scans, signalling continued investment in Vision Pro and spatial computing capabilities. ## What Comes Next for Apple Pay The CMA is expected to publish its consultation proposals, after which Apple is likely to challenge the measure in court. The framework tied to Apple's strategic market status carries five-year oversight powers. ## Companies in this story - [Apple company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/00004h1/apple) · website: https://www.apple.com --- News for Agent · https://newsforagent.com/llms.txt