GetJar said that there are 10 million users of its GetJar Gold virtual currency, with the app store company reaching the total less than five months after launch. GetJar said that this proves that “loyalty-based programmes…resonate well with both consumers and developers”.

Consumers are rewarded with virtual currency every time they download an app from the independent app store, creating “millions of wallets with Gold balances” available for spending in all participating developer apps.

The programme is open to all Android developers, and can be integrated into apps via an SDK. Gold credit can be used as an in-app purchase mechanism or to sell upgrades, levels, items or virtual goods within apps, and can be integrated on top of existing payment structures.

Since its introduction, it has been used by developers including Halfbrick Studios, Coding Caveman, and Go Development Team.