OMA3, a non-profit consortium based in Zug, Switzerland, has announced a new initiative aimed at developing open standards for the spatial internet. The organization, which includes leading companies in the web3 space, has introduced the Spatial Store project as part of its broader mission to create a user-centered, interoperable metaverse. The Spatial Store builds on previous efforts by OMA3, including the Inter World Portaling System (IWPS), which was designed to function as a hyperlink protocol for three-dimensional virtual environments.

OMA3 Launches New Initiative for the Spatial Web

The Open Metaverse

The Spatial Store is intended to serve as a gateway for users to access and interact with decentralized applications across multiple virtual worlds. Unlike current app ecosystems that are often limited to a single platform, the Spatial Store is designed to support open navigation across the metaverse. Users will be able to explore 3D environments, visit virtual worlds hosted on different platforms using IWPS, communicate with others across networks, and carry out transactions using cryptocurrencies, including the OMA token.

At the core of the Spatial Store is an application registry built on blockchain technology. This registry allows developers to tokenize their applications, offering a decentralized alternative to traditional, centralized app distribution models. Rather than submitting applications to a privately controlled app store, developers register their applications directly on the blockchain. A browser for the Spatial Store will then be used to read, organize, and present these applications to users. OMA3 has stated that this browser will be open-sourced to encourage further development and customization by third parties. The goal is to enable multiple browsers to interact with the same decentralized application registry.

OMA3 Launches New Initiative for the Spatial Web

More About OMA3 and Vision

OMA3 draws a historical parallel between the current state of the spatial web and the early days of the consumer internet. In the 1990s, the internet evolved from being dominated by closed systems such as Compuserve and AOL to becoming more open and accessible through standardized protocols like HTML and HTTP. OMA3 seeks to facilitate a similar transformation for the 3D web, allowing for greater openness and innovation by advancing shared technical standards.

The Spatial Store is part of a broader set of initiatives by OMA3 to lay the foundation for a decentralized metaverse. The Inter World Portaling System, first introduced in 2023 and shared publicly for feedback in 2024, was an early step toward this goal. With the addition of the Spatial Store, OMA3 is expanding its efforts to build an infrastructure that supports open access and interoperability within the web3 ecosystem.

Decentralized App Registry

Industry Support and Participation

Members of OMA3 have emphasized the importance of open infrastructure for the future of digital platforms. Dirk Lueth, co-founder of Upland and chair of OMA3, highlighted that current app stores are limited to showcasing applications built specifically for their own platforms. He stated that the metaverse is broader than any single ecosystem, and that the Spatial Store is intended to provide access to the entire metaverse in a way that is open and cross-platform.

Robby Yung, CEO of Investments at Animoca Brands and vice chair of OMA3, added that many web3 projects face challenges in traditional app stores, including friction and censorship. He described the Spatial Store as a necessary part of the infrastructure for a more open digital environment.

OMA3 has published a request for proposals (RFPs) for the Spatial Store on its GitHub repository and is inviting public comments. Organizations interested in contributing to the development of open metaverse infrastructure are encouraged to participate. More information is available at OMA3’s GitHub repository.