This isn't an idea - this is how it works everywhere except Apple. You pay for the benefits of being listed in a curated app store - such as Play Store, Micros

This isn't an idea - this is how it works everywhere except Apple. You pay for the benefits of being listed in a curated app store - such as Play Store, Microsoft Store, Steam store, etc. The benefits include discovery, audience, services (billing, distribution), etc. But you don't pay anything for the privilege of making an app. That's just absurd.