Two years ago, Austrian Post, in collaboration with Capacity, developed the world’s first blockchain postage stamp. The digital image of the brand is stored in the Ethereum blockchain (Trending Topics reported). Last year, Swiss Post issued four new motifs from the crypto world as postage stamps: the honey badger, lama, panda and doge. “Crypto stamp 3.0” has now been released, the security features of which were developed by Swiss Post together with the crypto community. According to Swiss Post, the first-time use of Near Field Communication (NFC) is a particular feature of the new blockchain stamp.
The world’s first blockchain stamp comes from Austria
Use of NFC technology
According to the Austrian Post, the Crypto stamp 3.0 relies on an NFC-supported authenticity check and is cryptographically encrypted. If users hold smartphones with NFC functionality on the packaging or on the stamp pad, they can verify the authenticity of the stamp. As with the other brands, this is also available in a physical form, but has a “digital twin” on the blockchain.
By reading out the NFC chip, users can both check the authenticity and uncover the digital twin. According to Swiss Post, a separate app is not necessary for this, the NFC chip leads to a separate website for the respective stamp copy. You can only uncover the digital twin by scanning the QR code on the front. As usual, the new Crypto stamp 3.0 adorns an animal from the crypto world, in this case a whale. Anyone who owns large amounts of crypto assets is considered a “whale” in the community.
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Crypto stamp as an entry-level product
“We have also made major improvements to the blockchain technology, which the crypto stamp serves as the basis. As a result, the transaction of crypto stamps can be processed easily and inexpensively between the owners in the future. At the same time, this opens up a broad field of new functions for the future, ”explains Stefan Nemeth, MBA, Head of Product Management and E-Business Branches at Austrian Post.
The Crypto stamp 3.0 has a face value of 9.90 euros. Customers can use them as standard postage stamps for franking letters and parcels. It has a circulation of 100,000 pieces. Since May 21st they have been able to pre-order crypto fans online and onchain. Regular sales started last Monday. With the third crypto stamp, Swiss Post wants to reduce customers’ fear of contact with crypto currencies. The haptic shape should make it an “ideal entry-level product” in the crypto world.
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