Stepn integrates Apple Pay to enable direct NFT purchases
The new collaboration sets a significant milestone for both the Web3 game project and the technology giant.
Web3-focused lifestyle project Stepn has today announced its integration of Apple Pay to enable in-app purchases of digital assets. Users can now buy sneakers and other Stepn items directly on the Stepn application without connecting to a crypto wallet.
Stepn integrates Apple Pay
The new feature allows users to add credit or debit cards to Apple Pay and earn SPARK credits. Users can also explore and buy items on the marketplace with $GMT. Customers will receive $GMT when they sell items, regardless of purchase options.
The feature is exclusively available on Apple devices.
As part of Apple’s policy, there is an additional tax charge on the price of Stepn’s digital goods when users choose to purchase with SPARK credits. Alternatively, Stepn guaranteed that the feature was secure and that Apple would protect users’ information.
Apple Pay is one of the world’s most popular mobile applications. Its widespread use will act as a catalyst to integrate more mainstream users into the evolving Web3 landscape via the Stepn application.
With this announcement, Stepn also names itself as the first Move-to-Earn project to offer this type of feature. This landmark achievement not only simplifies the purchasing process, but also bridges the gap between ordinary users and the Web3 ecosystem.
“STEPN was the first move&earn application hosted on the App Store and we have achieved remarkable growth in a short time. With the integration of Apple Pay, we’re making the user journey even more seamless, removing barriers to entry for anyone interested in moving and earning opportunities.” said Jerry Huang, co-founder of Find Satoshi Lab (FSL), the software team behind Stepn.
Apple Pay’s integration comes just days after Sky Mavis, the team behind the big game title Axie Infinity, announced that the Origins version would be available on the App Store. Although the game is only open for download in select countries, it shows Apple’s gradual use of digital assets.
But obviously the technology giant is showing cautious approaches to the “wild west”. Both Axie Infinity and Stepn must follow Apple’s guidelines to grant approval. Shiti Rastogi Manghani, Stepn’s COO, said it was uneasy reaching an agreement with Apple. However, the director believes that the integration offers an opportunity for wider adoption.
A return of NFT games?
While there is a growing demand for Bitcoin Ordinals in NFTs, development in NFT games remains stagnant.
Axie Infinity remains the leading blockchain-based gaming project, despite the possibility that the best time is passing. The Play-to-Earn model initiated a warm reception in the NFT gaming landscape, followed by Move-to-Earn, introduced by Stepn. However, recent market setbacks have led to transient trends.
Stepn has achieved millions of downloads, but Manghani acknowledged a decline in monthly active users, currently around 500,000. To counter this, Manghani and her team expect integration with Apple to attract more users.
By the end of 2022, Stepn had accumulated nearly five million registered users, who collectively covered approximately 70 million miles through walking or running.
Promising projects in the current landscape include The Sandbox Metaverse and Bored Apes’ NFT game, which is still in the alpha stage but has generated optimism among supporters.
However, skeptics have expressed concern about the intricate ecosystem of the Bored Ape Yacht Club, which could pose challenges to the project’s ambitious goals.
The declining user numbers indicate the need for innovation, expansion and the offer of attractive games in the NFT gaming area. As the NFT gaming landscape continues to evolve, projects must proactively adapt to meet the changing needs of the market effectively.
