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Apple Inc. has continued to keep tight reins on its platform. This has seen it bar several crypto wallets from hosting non-fungible tokens (NFTs) not purchased using Apple's in-app purchase system.
New Update Flagged As ‘Inappropriate’
Apple is launching a series of world-class smartphones, but users may find it hard to access their favorite digital collectibles. This follows a report by the head of product development at Gnosis Safe, Lukas Schor. In a lengthy Twitter thread, Schor alleged that the iPhone manufacturer was barring it from hosting non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the latest release of the Ethereum-based crypto wallet. According to him, the tech company took offense after discovering that the new Gnosis Safe update will support user-owned NFTs, a feature Schor says has been in operation for some months already. In response to the new update, Apple said it does not support apps, especially crypto wallets that display NFTs that cannot be purchased inside the app store. Further clarifying its position, Apple termed such apps that facilitate purchases except for its nominal Apple Pay platform as "inappropriate" and advised Gnosis Safe to revise its NFT functionality or risk being delisted. A resubmission with a clearer update description still received a rebuff from the privacy-centric smartphone manufacturer. Per Schor, Apple maintains its position that NFTs can only be purchased from its App Store. NFTs are digital certificates that show the owner of a particular virtual asset and can come in various forms. For now, the arts and creative industry have keyed in on the blockchain-based digital arts with NFTs like Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) pieces selling for millions of dollars. This has seen popular decentralized applications (dapps) and NFTs supporting platforms like Ethereum and Solana spike value. Also, online NFT marketplaces like OpenSea have recorded over 76,000% year-to-date (YTD) increase in NFT sales, with the platform crossing the $3 billion mark in transaction volume in early August.
Apple Actions Raising Questions
Apple's strong stand has raised a long-debated question on its strong-handed tactics on apps that operate in the App Store. Gnosis Safe is not the only crypto wallet provider getting the boot from the company. Other notable defaulters are Trust Wallet which said it would not support its Dapp browser on iOS 6.0 in its latest release. The company cited compliance with the platform’s laid-down rules. Another victim is imToken wallet which also removed a list of featured Dapps for iOS users citing the App Store guidelines as the reason. However, Gnosis Safe will not go down without a fight, and Schor says the company plans to resolve the issue with the App Review Board. He also noted that Apple might not be a good vehicle for the rapidly-growing Web3.0 wave.