Apple’s iPhone 17 introduces Memory Integrity Enforcement (MIE), a hardware-level security upgrade that protects against exploits targeting crypto wallets and Passkey signing operations. The MIE system’s comprehensive design has encouraged millions of users to purchase crypto through their mobile devices while protecting them from major malicious activities and vulnerabilities. Apple’s upgrade makes the iPhone much harder to exploit in everyday use.

Apple Easing Restrictions on Crypto

In previous years, Apple remained cautious toward cryptocurrency, prioritizing a system that did not actively support the volatile crypto market. The main issue was the security risks related with fraudulent crypto apps on the App Store, as well as crypto mining apps that consumed excessive energy and battery life.

Apple maintained tight control over crypto and NFT transactions, requiring apps to use Apple’s own payment system while charging a 30% commission. According to industry observers, this suggested the company had no intention of advancing crypto innovations.

These restrictions prevented Apple from embracing crypto technology until May 2025, when a U.S. Federal Court ruling forced the company to relax its long-standing restrictions on cryptocurrency-related applications. The decision required Apple to allow developers to direct users to external payment systems, including those for crypto and NFTs, while still paying Apple a hefty commission.

Also read: Judge Lifts Freeze on $57M Stablecoins in Libra Scandal

Apple’s Step for Crypto Safety

Although Apple was compelled to allow external payment systems involving crypto transactions, the company now needs to protect users from the security vulnerabilities it had long avoided. To address this, Apple introduced Memory Integrity Enforcement (MIE), a hardware-level defense designed to detect and block dangerous memory access patterns such as out-of-bounds and use-after-free exploits, preventing many common attack chains. This defense system is always on by default at the kernel level, making spyware development significantly more difficult.

However, while it is one of the most comprehensive security designs to date, it does not guarantee full protection against user-driven exploits such as phishing, malicious web content, online manipulation, or suspicious applications.

History of Apple Security Threats

Last month, Apple users faced security threats with a zero-click vulnerability that allowed hackers to break into iPhones, iPads, and Macs without any user interaction. This exploit was quickly patched across all platforms. Not too long ago, Kaspersky found some app developers using a malicious software development kit (SDK) in the Apple Store and Google Store to scan users’ photo galleries to steal wallet recovery phrases. Last year, Trust Wallet warned users to turn off iMessage after learning about a zero-day exploit being sold on the Dark Web that could let hackers remotely control iPhones without any user action.

iPhone’s Memory Integrity Enforcement: A Promising Future

The iPhone’s first hardware-level crypto safety feature marks a promising step toward protecting users from potentially dangerous exploits since the crypto app restrictions were lifted in May 2025. This innovation allows users to invest in crypto with their handheld devices while feeling more secure against outside threats.

Before this, Apple’s caution created an enclosed ecosystem, limiting both users and developers in order to minimize risks. Now, with the latest crypto-friendly security integration, frequent users can take advantage of new investment opportunities with enhanced protection and without Apple’s direct intervention in transactions.