POAP: development for POAP protocol & platform. Integration Consulting, loyalty programme development
The term POAP is not very common in the NFT sector, but it refers to a quite interesting concept. You should know what a POAP is, as they are appearing more and more and being used by various communities in this digital world. Moreover, its use is becoming an increasingly engaging and fascinating activity.
What is POAP, the Proof of Attendance Protocol
POAP is one of the innovative protocols demonstrating the potential of NFT technology. As the name suggests, this protocol was developed to confirm attendance. It precisely certifies that someone was present at a given event. And what better way to do this than by delivering unique and tamper-proof NFTs (digital badges)?
The Proof of Attendance Protocol serves to create digital credentials confirming participation in a specific event, using blockchain technology. In short, POAP will be a new digital format that will serve as proof that a user has gained access to an NFT/blockchain-related event. Thus, the user can request a participation badge from the event organizers.
The Origins of POAPs
POAPs were created at the ETHDenver event in 2019 as a way to reward programmers who attended the event. To be eligible for this first POAP, participants had to access a URL that was only available if they connected to the event’s Wi-Fi.
As part of this same event, around 100 POAPs were delivered to the event’s participants.
Initially, POAPs were minted directly on the Ethereum network, but they later migrated to xDai, a side-chain that provides access to very low operating costs, allowing participants to receive badges for free.
POAPs are tokens that conform to the ERC-721 standard (the main standard for NFTs), but not every NFT is a POAP. The term POAP is a registered trademark, so NFTs with this protocol can only be minted through the official POAP platform. In fact, any brand can offer these “POAPs,” but with different names, although technically only those NFTs that are on the official platform are considered POAPs. Additionally, certain POAPs often come with gifts and giveaways.
The origin of POAPs can be traced back to the ETHDenver event in 2019, where they were introduced as a way to recognize and reward the participation of programmers in the event. The innovative use of a unique URL and Wi-Fi access to distribute the initial POAPs demonstrates the creativity and community-driven nature of this project. The subsequent migration to the xDai network to enable more cost-effective distribution further highlights the team’s commitment to making POAPs accessible to a wider audience within the Ethereum ecosystem. Overall, the origins of POAPs showcase how digital credentials can be leveraged to foster engagement and build community in the blockchain space.
What You Need to Request a POAP and How to Check Your POAP Collection
To obtain a POAP, the only requirement is to have an Ethereum wallet and attend an event where POAPs are being distributed.
To receive your POAP at an event, such as the ETHLatam conference, you will need to scan the QR codes that will be displayed in the conference hall (if it’s an offline event) or in a hyperlink (if it’s an online event). At the beginning of the event, you will likely be invited or asked to send a message to the event’s network with your Ethereum address to confirm your attendance.
To check if you have received any POAPs, you can visit the POAP website. You will need to enter your Ethereum address or connect your wallet to access your POAP collection. You can also view your POAPs through the Etherscan tool.
Alternatively, you can download the POAP Wallet app for iOS and Android, which allows you to hold your POAPs in the palm of your hand.
It’s important to understand that POAPs are NFTs, but they don’t necessarily have “monetary” value like many other NFTs. Instead, their value comes from the “uniqueness” of attending events and interacting with people in the real world. They are more like digital badges or certificates.
The POAP protocol makes the process of earning event participation certificates engaging, as it allows users to create personal collections. Moreover, these collections serve as a historical record of the events you’ve attended, in chronological order and without any risk of identity infringement, as they are not based on personal data.
In summary, to request a POAP, you only need an Ethereum wallet and to attend an event where POAPs are being distributed. You can then check your POAP collection through the POAP website, Etherscan, or the POAP Wallet app. POAPs are digital badges that represent your unique experiences and interactions within the Ethereum community.
Although POAP (Proof of Attendance Protocol) tokens were initially only issued for event participation, their utility has evolved over time and expanded into other domains.
Currently, there are various other reasons for obtaining POAP tokens. Some examples include actively contributing to a community or completing specific tasks that require certain efforts.
This has added to the successes of the POAP system developers, who are continuously enhancing its functionality and creating new utilities for its usage.
Just as applications for Android and iOS have been developed to display POAP collections on mobile devices, various platforms have also been created to extend the capabilities of different communities through collaborative efforts.
One example is the development of raffles, where only those with specific POAP tokens from the corresponding community can participate.
Another example is the ability to organize voting mechanisms, allowing community members to express their democratic opinions on matters relevant to their group, with the requirement of holding a POAP token.
While these are just a few of the developments by the POAP creators, the possibilities and benefits they can provide are also dependent on the specific community.
For instance, a music artist may distribute POAP tokens at each of their concerts. These can then be used to reward their most loyal fans with exclusive content or VIP tickets to new shows.
There have even been discussions about the possibility of distributing a form of digital token at the World Cup, given the significance and popularity of the event.
By leveraging the advantages of NFT technology, POAP has undoubtedly become an instrument that significantly enhances the engagement and interaction within various communities, increasing the value and involvement for users, motivating their participation, and rewarding their actions.
Creating a POAP Event
To create a POAP (Proof of Attendance Protocol) event, you will need to access the dedicated POAP website. On this portal, you can create your own POAP and explore the various events that are available.
The steps involved are as follows:
- Provide a title for the POAP (the name of the event).
- Include a description that will be displayed when people receive the POAP in their wallets.
- Specify the location (if it’s a physical event).
- Select the date of the event.
- Provide the organizer’s website URL.
- Choose a template (you can leave this as the default).
- Upload an image (it should be circular, 500×500 pixels, and less than 200 KB in size).
- Enter the email address that you will use for identification purposes.
The “Edit Code” is a unique code that you must save in order to enable you or other event organizers to make changes to the POAP in the future.
Once you have completed these steps, you will need to reach out to the POAP developers through the form on their website. They will then provide you with the necessary codes to distribute the POAP to the various users who will be accessing your event.
It’s important to note that each POAP is unique, with its own serial number, ensuring the authenticity and traceability of the attendance records.
Distributing POAP Tokens
POAP (Proof of Attendance Protocol) tokens can be distributed in both digital and physical formats.
In the digital format, they are ideal for virtual events. In this case, participants simply need to connect their POAP wallet and they can claim their badge. For example, this could be done through a small booth in a metaverse environment like Decentraland.
For physical events, the POAP tokens are typically handed out on-site. The organizer may ask participants to download the POAP wallet and scan a QR code on a banner at the event, or they can directly send the POAP to the participant’s Ethereum wallet address.
The Purpose of POAP
The primary purpose of POAP is to record memorable experiences throughout one’s life. You can think of them as digital mementos – a way to fondly recall the important events you have attended and been a part of.
However, the sentimental factor is not the only reason. Many communities have found ways to incentivize the collection and retention of these POAP tokens.
A prominent example is the Bankless DAO community. To reward people who have joined their movement, the community has airdropped cryptocurrencies to wallet addresses that have claimed their POAP from past events. Those with more POAP tokens received a larger crypto reward. Conversely, POAP tokens can also be used as investments.
It is possible to buy and sell POAP tokens, although it can be quite challenging to generate significant profit from them, unless they are from a highly prestigious event.
The Future of POAP
POAP tokens are still in their very early stages. In fact, it’s quite likely that many of you may not have heard of this concept until you came across this post.
As the sector grows and more event organizers launch their own POAP tokens, they are poised to become more widespread and popular. Organizers can leverage these POAP tokens to build community and drive engagement.
POAP tokens are not intended for investment purposes per se, so the idea behind these NFTs is not to profit from them, but rather to preserve the memories of the experiences we’ve had.
As the POAP ecosystem matures, we may see more innovative use cases emerge. For example, POAP tokens could potentially be used as a form of digital identity, allowing individuals to showcase the events and communities they’ve been a part of. They could also become a way to unlock exclusive access or reward loyal supporters.
Moreover, as the metaverse and virtual worlds continue to evolve, POAP tokens could play an increasingly important role in documenting and commemorating our digital experiences and interactions.
Overall, while POAP tokens are still relatively new, they have the potential to become a meaningful way for individuals and communities to create, preserve, and celebrate their shared histories and memories. As the technology and use cases continue to develop, it will be exciting to see how POAP evolves to better serve the needs of its users.