Now, Apple has finally formalized its controversial stance on NFTs. According to Apple Insider, on the 24th of October, Apple published updates to its App Store Review Guidelines with new language surrounding NFTs. According to these updates, on the App Store, NFTs are allowed to exist within apps, but these can not use to unlock additional features or content.
The new guidelines from Apple update read that apps may use in-app purchases to sell and sell services related to non-fungible tokens, such as minting, transferring, and listing. Apps may allow users to view their NFTs, but NFTs do not unlock features or functionality within the app.
According to Apple’s policies regarding paid unlocking digital goods and services, NFTs can be used for token-gated utility if purchased through Apple’s in-app purchases. But purchase through Apple’s in-app charge a 30% fee.
These new guidelines may stop application developers from supporting in-app purchases of NFTs, but NFTs can be used to unlock token-gated content, which is its primary use case. For example, Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs and Moonbirds NFTs offer their holders exclusive access, such as merchandise, various communication channels, and other perks.
Moreover, these guidelines also stop developers from external links or buttons or other calls to action, which could provide a guide to users to buy NFTs through different platforms instead of the Apple Store. Apple does this prevention to make its users make in-app purchases. Moreover, paying in cryptocurrencies is not an option in App Store.
However, the App Store guidelines are essential regarding what can and can’t publish to the App Store, which helps developers. Because if the developers violate these policies, it could result in app rejection or removal.
Previously, the tech press reported that Apple would take its hefty cut of NFT sales, and these new guidelines from Apple make sense.
