“...only after Apple pays it $75,000 in cryptocurrency, either Bitcoin or rival Ether, or $100,000 worth of iTunes gift cards”
Even 1960s-era Doctor Evil set his sights a little higher than $100,000
Making Apple capitulate for something as small as 75K to Apple sets them up for a much larger grab in the future. Once it has been done the next time it will be even easier to capitulate. Apple may be a left leaning company but give them kudos for not capitulating to this demand nor matter how small the pittance is.