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Apr 18 • 15 mins
Blockchain

What is a POAP and how does it work

Introduction

proof of attendance protocol

Introduction

The Proof of Attendance Protocol (POAP) is a blockchain-based protocol that enables event organizers to issue digital collectibles (POAPs) to attendees as verifiable records of participation. These NFTs serve as digital souvenirs and proof of engagement in both virtual and real-world events.POAP badges have become popular among event organizers as a way to incentivize attendance and promote engagement. They are also a way for participants to showcase their attendance at events and demonstrate their involvement in various communities.

In this article, we will explore what POAP is, how it works, and the benefits of using it for events and communities. We will also look at some real-world examples of how POAP is being used today and its potential for future applications.

What is POAP? 

POAPs are ERC-721 NFTs minted to commemorate an attendee’s presence at a specific event. Each POAP is unique and typically features custom visuals and metadata. Originally launched on the Ethereum mainnet, POAPs are now predominantly minted on Gnosis Chain (formerly xDai) to reduce gas fees and improve accessibility.

As an NFT, each POAP badge is a unique digital asset that can be bought, sold, or traded like other NFTs. However, unlike other NFTs that are often purely aesthetic, POAP badges have a functional use case as a proof of attendance at a specific event.

By issuing badges to attendees, organizers can create a sense of community and recognition among participants. Attendees can also use their badges as proof of attendance to gain access to other events or earn rewards.

POAP has gained popularity among various event types, including conferences, hackathons, and meetups. The badges are typically designed with unique artwork that reflects the event’s theme, making them highly collectible among attendees.

How does the POAP work?

smart contract

POAPs are created via the official POAP platform, where event organizers submit event details, artwork, and minting preferences. Once approved, they receive minting codes or claim links to distribute POAPs. Attendees claim their POAPs using Ethereum-compatible wallets, now commonly through QR codes or direct minting links.

Starting in 2024, POAPs began integrating cross-chain compatibility with tools like POAP Checkout and LayerZero to allow seamless claiming and interaction across Ethereum and other chains.

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What are Proof of Attendance Protocol NFTs used for?

Proof of Attendance Protocol (POAP) is a powerful tool for event organizers and communities to verify attendance and reward engagement.

The use-cases of POAP include: 

  1. Event attendance verification: POAP badges can be used to verify and validate attendance at events, providing organizers with a tamper-proof record of who participated.
  2. Community engagement: POAP badges can be used to reward community members who contribute to the group by sharing knowledge or completing specific tasks.
  3. Access to exclusive events or rewards: Some organizers issue special POAP badges to VIP attendees, providing them with access to exclusive after-parties or other perks.
  4. Conference attendance: POAP badges can be used to verify attendance at conferences, providing organizers with a way to track attendance and engagement.
  5. Gaming tournaments: POAP badges can be used to verify participation in gaming tournaments, providing a secure and tamper-proof record of who participated.
  6. Hackathons: POAP badges can be used to verify participation in hackathons, providing organizers with a way to track participation and engagement.
  7. Meetups: POAP badges can be used to verify attendance at meetups, providing organizers with a way to track attendance and engagement.
  8. Charity events: POAP badges can be used to verify participation in charity events, providing organizers with a way to track participation and engagement.

In addition to these use-cases, POAP badges are highly collectible and can be bought, sold, or traded like other NFTs, adding a new dimension of value and functionality to the badges.

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Why Collect POAPs?

Collecting POAP badges can be a fun and rewarding experience for a number of reasons:

  • Memorabilia: Each badge is a visual and immutable memory of an experience.
  • Community Status: Demonstrate involvement in specific communities or events.
  • Access & Rewards: Some POAPs unlock raffles, rewards, early beta access, or token drops.

Monetary Benefits of Collecting POAPs

monetary benefits

Collecting POAP badges can have monetary benefits for collectors, as some badges may increase in value over time due to their rarity or desirability.

Because POAP badges are based on blockchain technology and are unique to each event or community, some badges may become highly sought after by collectors. As more people become aware of POAP and its potential as a collectible, the demand for certain badges may increase, driving up their value.

In addition, because POAP badges are fully transferable and tradeable, collectors can buy, sell, or trade badges with other collectors on NFT marketplaces or through peer-to-peer transactions. This provides collectors with a way to monetize their collection or acquire new badges they may be interested in.

While the monetary benefits of collecting POAP badges may not be the primary reason for collecting them, it can be an added bonus for collectors who are able to acquire rare or highly sought-after badges.

What real-life use cases are there for Proof of Attendance Protocol NFTs? 

Proof of Attendance Protocol (POAP) NFTs have numerous real-life use cases that span across various industries and events. Below are some examples of how POAP NFTs are being used in the real world. 

Events and Conferences

POAP NFTs are commonly used for events and conferences to verify attendance and engagement. By issuing POAP NFTs to attendees, event organizers can ensure that their attendees actually showed up and participated in the event. This information can be valuable for event sponsors who want to evaluate the success of an event and how many people were engaged.

Community Engagement 

POAP NFTs can also be used to encourage engagement and participation within a community. For example, community managers can issue POAP NFTs to members who actively participate in the community, contribute knowledge, or complete specific tasks. This incentivizes members to stay engaged and contribute to the community.

Access to Exclusive Perks

POAP NFTs can be used to provide access to exclusive perks or events. For example, VIP attendees at an event can receive a special POAP NFT that gives them access to exclusive after-parties or other perks.

Gaming Tournaments

POAP NFTs are being used in gaming tournaments to verify participation and track progress. By issuing POAP NFTs to participants, tournament organizers can ensure that players have completed specific tasks or met certain criteria.

Hackathons

POAP NFTs can be used to verify participation in hackathons, providing organizers with a way to track engagement and reward participants for their contributions.

Charity Events

POAP NFTs are being used in charity events to verify participation and track donations. By issuing POAP NFTs to participants, organizers can ensure that donations were made and track which participants were engaged.

Meetups

POAP NFTs can be used to verify attendance at meetups, providing organizers with a way to track attendance and engagement.

Digital Art and Collectibles

POAP NFTs can be used to represent digital art and other collectibles. By issuing POAP NFTs for digital art or collectibles, creators can ensure that their work is unique and protected from fraud or theft.

In addition to these use cases, POAP NFTs can also be used to create unique experiences and provide new ways to interact with events and communities. As POAP NFTs become more widely adopted, it’s likely that we’ll see even more use cases emerge, providing new opportunities for engagement, collaboration, and innovation.

How to set up POAP for your next event? 

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Setting up POAP for your next event is a simple process that can be completed in a few steps:

  1. Sign in at POAP.xyz
  2. Submit Event Details: Include title, description, date, and image (500x500px recommended).
  3. Wait for Approval (typically <24h).
  4. Distribute POAPs: Options include QR codes, mint links, email whitelists, or secret words.
  5. Track Analytics: Use POAP’s dashboard to monitor claim rates and user activity.
  6. Advanced users may integrate POAP minting into smart contracts, Telegram bots, or Discord tools via the POAP API.

By following these steps, you can set up POAP for your next event and provide attendees with a unique and valuable experience that verifies their attendance and participation.

How to receive POAP as an attendee?

Receiving POAP as an attendee is a simple process that can be completed in a few steps:

  1. Scan a QR code or click a claim link provided by the event organizer.
  2. Enter your email (for future claiming) or connect your wallet directly.
  3. POAPs are often gasless on Gnosis Chain, but if claimed on Ethereum, you may need to pay gas.
  4. POAP can later be transferred to your main wallet if claimed by email first.

How To Claim a POAP

To claim a POAP, you typically need to provide information about your attendance at an event, such as your wallet address and any required information about your participation. Once verified, the POAP badge will be sent to your wallet.

The exact process for claiming a POAP may vary depending on the event and the platform used to issue the badges. Some events may require attendees to complete certain tasks or participate in specific activities before being eligible to claim their POAP badge. Attendees should follow the instructions provided by the event organizers to ensure they can successfully claim their badge.

Can You Sell a POAP?

nft marketplace

Yes, you can sell your POAP on NFT marketplaces just like any other NFT. POAPs are ERC-721 tokens, which means they are fully transferable and can be sold, traded, or gifted to other collectors or attendees. The value of a POAP can vary depending on factors such as the rarity of the badge, the popularity of the event it represents, and the number of badges issued. Some collectors may be willing to pay a premium for rare or highly sought-after POAP badges. 

Selling your POAP can be a great way to monetize your participation in an event, and it can also provide an opportunity to acquire badges from events you may have missed. However, it’s important to be cautious and ensure that you are dealing with reputable buyers and marketplaces to avoid scams or fraud.

What is the future of POAP

POAPs are evolving into an essential layer of the Web3 identity stack. Future developments may include:

  • POAP soulbound variants: non-transferable badges for identity-building.
  • On-chain resumes: verifiable event participation histories.
  • AI-curated community engagement: POAPs used in Sybil-resistant voting and rewards.
  • Loyalty ecosystems: Brands and projects using POAPs to identify loyal users across platforms.

As wallets and metaverses mature, POAPs will increasingly serve as the social proof layer for online reputation.

Conclusion 

POAPs are a powerful tool for verifying attendance and participation in events, as well as building communities and incentivizing engagement. As NFTs gain wider adoption, POAPs are likely to become a standard way of verifying attendance at events of all kinds. With the ability to be easily transferred and sold on NFT marketplaces, POAPs offer attendees a unique opportunity to monetize their participation in events and acquire rare badges from past events. The future of POAPs is bright, with potential for expansion into other use cases such as professional development and community incentivization. As the NFT ecosystem continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative uses of POAPs and other types of NFTs.

If you are interested in an innovative way of verifying attendance in events, contact our team of experts and they will create POAPs tailored to your needs.

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    About the author

    Dmitry K.

    CEO and Co-founder of ND Labs
    I’m a top professional with many-year experience in software development and IT. Founder and CEO of ND Labs specializing in FinTech industry, blockchain and smart contracts development for Defi and NFT.

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