#apple Apple has finally backed down! The 30% 'Apple tax' has crumbled, and can NFTs be sold openly? Developers are going crazy with excitement, and users have a chance to take advantage!
Is the Apple tax completely over? Developers are working overnight to modify their code!
On May 2, Apple suddenly announced a major rule change for the App Store in the U.S., allowing developers to place external payment links directly in their apps, completely bypassing Apple's 30% 'toll fee.' This move made companies like Spotify and Patreon laugh out loud—Spotify updated their app the same day, allowing users to click the 'subscribe' button to be redirected to their official website for payment, which is a full 20% cheaper than Apple's in-app purchases. Even more astonishing, payment platform Stripe launched a 'reverse Apple tax' tool, allowing developers to set up payment links with fees of only 2.9% + 30 cents, significantly lower than Apple's 30%.
Can NFTs finally be freely traded on the iPhone? But don't cross these red lines!
The most exciting part of this update is the relaxation of NFT trading. Platforms like OpenSea can now integrate third-party purchasing options directly within the app, allowing users to finally browse NFT galleries and make transactions directly on their phones. However, Apple has left a loophole:
- Minting NFTs is not allowed: Want to issue new NFTs in the app? No chance!
- Primary market prohibition: Only NFTs that others have listed can be traded; new project launches still have to use Apple Pay.
- The interface cannot be too prominent: The external payment button cannot be larger than Apple Pay and must clearly state 'risk is borne by the user' in the user agreement.
Cryptocurrency apps: Apple's bottom line remains unbroken!
Although payment restrictions have eased, Apple remains vigilant against cryptocurrency applications:
- Task reward tokens? Account suspension! Models that exchange tokens for watching ads or completing tasks directly violate clause 3.1.5.
- ICOs are completely dead: Whether you are a DeFi or metaverse project, launching tokens will lead to delisting.
- Mobile mining? Don't even think about it! Applications that use users' phone computing power for mining won't even pass the review.
Epic's battle against Apple: After four years of lawsuits, they finally won, but the war isn't over!
The catalyst for all this was Epic Games' four-year antitrust lawsuit against Apple. Epic added an external payment button in (Fortnite), got it removed by Apple, and then sued them, eventually forcing Apple to relent. Judge Rogers even criticized Apple for 'willfully contempting the court' and referred executives for criminal investigation—because Apple pretended to comply with the ruling while secretly collecting a 27% 'indirect Apple tax.' Now (Fortnite) is finally set to return to the App Store on May 5, with Epic stating: if Apple cancels the 'Apple tax' globally, they would be willing to withdraw the lawsuit and allow the game to return to all markets.
Chinese users: Envious, jealous, and hateful? This wave of benefits is temporarily unrelated to you!
While American users celebrate, Chinese developers and players can only watch enviously:
- The Apple tax is still 30%: In-app purchase commissions in China remain unchanged, and even reading apps like WeChat Reading have to comply.
- NFT functions are completely locked: Domestic apps wanting to showcase NFTs? The review will outright reject you.
- Sideloading is out of the question: EU users can already use third-party app stores, while iPhone users in China still have to stick to the App Store.
Future suspense: Will Apple retaliate? Will global regulators follow suit?
Apple has already announced plans to appeal, possibly using technical means (like limiting link redirection speeds) to make life difficult for developers. More crucially, this move could trigger a chain reaction:
- The EU has taken action: According to the (Digital Markets Act), Apple must allow sideloading but can still charge a 17% commission, which is much harsher than in the U.S.
- India and South Korea are catching up: India has just launched an investigation into Apple, and South Korea is also pushing for legislation, potentially allowing global developers to 'avoid taxes' in the future.
- New tactics for Web3 developers: Some have started using 'web pages + wallet plugins' to bypass restrictions, such as integrating MetaMask in Safari for direct NFT trading.
Summary: This is a small step towards openness in the Apple ecosystem, but a big leap for the digital economy!
For users, in-app purchases and membership fees may become 30% cheaper; for developers, revenue from the U.S. market can increase by 27%; for the crypto industry, NFTs can finally move from 'underground transactions' to the mainstream. But remember: this is just the beginning; Apple will not easily concede defeat, and the global regulatory battle has just begun. If you are a developer, start researching how to bypass the Apple tax; if you are a user, keep a notebook handy to note which apps support external payments—it's the era of taking advantage!
