Apple toughens the tone. Taken a bit by surprise by the rapid and massive appearance of cryptocurrencies and NFTs (non-fungible tokens), the brand has announced new rules to better regulate the ecosystem very present in the app store.
In a developer announcement posted online Monday, Apple notes that now “apps cannot use their own mechanisms to unlock content or features such as (…) cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency wallets.”
Clearly, Apple is taking over and only allows apps to offer these types of transactions if they have a local license. In France, this is a digital asset service provider license (PSAN), granted by the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF).
Up to 30% on transactions
With regard to NFTs, Apple is even tougher in imposing its own payment system on apps. In practice, the US group will pocket up to 30% commission for each transaction. Additionally, NFT purchases to unlock certain features are now prohibited to prevent hidden in-app purchases.
Indeed, these new conditions risk slowing transactions in the ecosystem, while cryptocurrencies have had a particularly turbulent year.
The famous rates that Apple imposes on applications (between 15 and 30%, depending on the size of the company) are among the recurring themes of tension. In particular, they are at the center of a legal battle between the Cupertino group and video game publisher Epic Games.
Source: BFM TV
