What Is POAP? Understanding Proof of Attendance Protocol

POAP, or Proof of Attendance Protocol, is an exciting concept within the field of Web3 and NFTs. It will enable people to collect digital badges to prove that they have attended specific events. These badges, in the form of NFTs, can be kept not only for the memory of this experience but can also be used as collectibles with value. POAP tokens are an advanced way of engaging with communities, building loyalty, and stimulating events.

In this article, we will consider this concept in more detail, including its role, main features, benefits, and more. Let’s dive into research! 

Let’s reveal this concept in more detail: what does POAP stand for, and which role this protocol plays in blockchain and Web3. 

This is a system that proves one's attendance at events by way of NFTs (non-fungible tokens). The badges become memorable tokens by which participants collect and show experiences in various events, either physical or virtual. A POAP token builds community and provides a special way of engaging with event-goers.

POAP meaning was appeared in 2021 by the company POAP, Inc. The purpose was to develop a decentralized way to verify one's attendance at an event or another. The early use cases have been highly oriented to conferences, meetups, and virtual events. 

These days, the protocol is extending its use case into virtual gatherings, gaming communities, and events for fans. This makes the protocol even more valuable for increased participation and loyalty as its value grows with increasing adoption by event organizers.

POAP is making a very important contribution to the blockchain and Web3 ecosystem: giving people verifiable ownership of digital assets safely recorded on the blockchain. These records are immutable and cannot be tampered with, thus being absolutely genuine. 

In the Web3 space, where decentralization and user autonomy are the core concepts, POAP tokens efficiently help people represent their digital identity and interactions. They also serve to reinforce the structure of decentralized communities by offering participants the tools to visually signal their participation in different Web3 projects and events. 

While providing a very sustainable and low-cost solution for event organizers to reward attendees, POAP tokens significantly contribute to the growth of blockchain communities and, in turn, the greater Web3 ecosystem.

Let’s consider POAPs meaning more deeply. POAP gives event organizers the ability to distribute unique digital tokens among the participants. But how exactly does this protocol work? 

POAP tokens work quite straightforwardly. The protocol relies on a set of smart contracts - small programs running on the POAP blockchain and automatically self-executing under given conditions.

Using this protocol, event organizers can mint their own POAP non-fungible tokens. All the tools needed to create them are available on the POAP platform at POAP.xyz.

While these NFTs are, in fact, based on Ethereum, they have been built on the xDai sidechain ( (now Gnosis Chain). Gnosis Chain is specifically designed for fast, low-cost transactions, which makes it ideal for efficiently minting POAP non-fungible tokens. This sidechain also operates with minimal energy use, making the POAP tokens green.

POAP badges are generated as non-fungible tokens, minted on the Ethereum blockchain but using Gnosis Chain for faster and cheaper transactions. To do so, event organizers would create an event on a POAP via the official POAP website or app. It requires event details such as when, where, and an uploaded custom image to appear as a badge.

Once the event is created, the organizer is given a unique claim code or a QR code that attendees are supposed to use for claiming their POAP badge. During the event, participants may have to scan the QR code or input the claim code into the POAP app or website to mint their badge. Once a claim is made, a smart contract automatically generates the unique token and links it to the attendee's Ethereum wallet.

The POAP minted is kept in the wallet of the participant as an NFT and can be shown, exchanged, or kept as a digital collectible. In the process, it ensures that badges are only distributed to actual attendees since every claim code or QR code is single-use and will prevent unauthorized minting.

Typically, participants collect POAP proof of attendance badges from event organizers either through a QR code or a special link that directly opens the creation page for that token. A displayed QR screen and an easily accessible link are distributed during events, organizers hand it out, and attendees can reach them either with mobile devices or computers.

There are some distinct features of POAP tokens that make them valuable for event organizers and attendees alike.

POAP tokens are a class of NFTs that are more than a memorable badge. These collectible badges can also be traded or given away to others, thus generating value.

Each POAP contains metadata regarding custom information on an event's time, date, and location. This ensures the NFT is a unique and verifiable token representative of participation.

The reason being, POAP tokens are inexpensive to mint since they were based on the Gnosis Chain. So, their transaction fees are pretty cheap and fast. The creation of this POAP NFT will not be costly.

It is easy for event organizers to distribute the POAP invitations via QR code, email link, or integrated event platforms for smooth and efficient delivery of the NFTs among the attendees.

The rewards behind POAP tokens evoke a sense of community and shared ownership. They can be used by organizers to incentivize event attendance, compensate loyal followers, or to simply just firm up connections among the members within.

POAPs, when minted on the xDai sidechain (Gnosis Chain), use less energy than NFTs minted on Ethereum. As such, it is the go-to alternative when one considers environmental concerns.

While POAPs are not created to be investment instruments, they are long-term sentimental value for attendees. Digital badges remind one of important events and help create a lifelong connection with the community or brand.

The POAP concept has revolutionized digital identity and community building within the blockchain and cryptocurrency sectors. 

By leveraging the Ethereum blockchain, POAP crypto enables the creation of unique, verifiable digital badges, typically in the form of NFTs. These tokens act as proof of an individual's participation in events, both virtual and physical. The badges can be stored in digital wallets, allowing users to enhance their digital identities and demonstrate their active involvement in specific communities.

Beyond identity enhancement, POAP encourages community engagement by gamifying the experience. Participants earn NFT badges for their contributions, which motivates them to stay active and feel recognized within the community. As users collect and display their POAP badges, they visually showcase their journey and forge connections with others who share similar interests and experiences.

Additionally, POAP’s use of decentralized identity systems offers users greater privacy and control over the information they share. By reducing reliance on centralized organizations, POAP minimizes the risks of data breaches and aligns with blockchain’s core principles of transparency, trust, and user autonomy. Overall, POAP provides a secure and verifiable way to document participation while creating vibrant, engaged communities within the blockchain space.

Below is the image where you can see the most common applications for POAP non-fungible tokens.

Who uses POAP non-fungible tokens?

• Event organizers: They use POAP tokens for digital entry into events or as a way to reward attendees for their participation in the event.
• Event attendees: POAP tokens are used as verifiable confirmation of attendance to events such as meetups and conferences. POAP tokens can also be kept as collectibles or traded on NFT marketplaces.

It will be easier to understand the practical applications of POAPs NFTs by looking at how different organizations have implemented POAP tokens into their events.

It is a makeup company that implemented the use of POAP tokens in its maiden metaverse party in Decentraland to celebrate the party prom season. The company made POAP exclusive entry tickets that only the first 2,000 attendees could get. One could claim it via the Lottie London Walmart shopping page.

This is another great POAP examples. Estée Lauder took part in Decentraland's Metaverse Art Week and offered unique POAP tokens designed by renowned designer Dr. Alex Box. Anyone who attended the Art Week was able to mint the POAP in one of the three Estée Lauder locations and be guaranteed early access to its future Web3 activations.

Decentraland has, time and again, used POAP assets to confirm attendance for events happening inside its metaverse. Participants earn these POAP tokens for attending special events or by completing specific challenges, and it is important digital proof of participation in the virtual world.

Getting started with POAP is easy - whether you are interested in collecting badges or want to create your badges for an event. Here's how you get up and running with POAP, step by step:

The first thing that can be done with POAP is to either create an account on the official website or download the POAP app. You can create an account using your email address or link a Web3 wallet such as MetaMask. This will be the hub from where you manage your POAP badges, whether collecting or issuing. 

As an attendee of an event, you will get POAP badges by scanning special QR codes or using unique links provided by event organizers. These are going to give you a shortcut to the POAP claim page from which you may connect your Ethereum wallet, MetaMask, for instance, and mint your badge directly into the wallet.

If you're the organizer of an event, then it's very easy to create POAP tokens in a few steps. 

• Design your badge. Create a round graphics file in PNG or APNG format with recommended dimensions of 500 x 500 pixels. 
• Upload the badge. Go to the POAP Back Office, upload your graphic, and click on the "Create new POAP" button to begin the process. 
• Add details. Fill in the description of the event, the importance of the badge, associated links, and the total number of mint links needed. Remember to match the number of mint links with the expected number of attendees or those eligible to claim the POAP.
• Get confirmation. After submitting, an email will arrive containing the edit code of the POAP and instructions on how to claim.
• Edit and finalize. An edit code is provided should you wish to make edits. Note that all edits have to be manually approved by the POAP team before they go live.

Once you've claimed your POAPs, they will be stored as NFTs in your Ethereum wallet. Wallet apps such as MetaMask and the POAP app will let you manage and show off your POAP collection. Many users enjoy trading or showing off their POAP tokens in their digital portfolios.

To get more involved, consider joining POAP communities on platforms like Discord or Twitter. These spaces are great for trading badges, participating in exclusive events, and connecting with other collectors.

POAP tokens offer valuable benefits like the following:

• Verifiable participation, 
• Cost-effective distribution, 
• Enhanced event engagement, 
• The opportunity to collect and trade unique digital items.

But they do come with some limitations, which we should also consider.

POAP tokens are relatively new, even though they are growing in popularity. As such, they fall behind some other forms of NFTs in terms of being noticed. Some event attendees and organizers may not appreciate or understand the concept as well.

While generally inexpensive to create, POAP tokens do face scalability issues for very large events with thousands of attendees. Large volumes of claims might delay or otherwise hamper the efficient distribution of badges.

Most of these badges are designed for the POAP ecosystem and may have very limited use outside the ecosystem or on other NFT marketplaces. This makes the wide use of POAP tokens very restricted and may deter users who wish to trade or use their badges outside the POAP ecosystem.

Any modifications needed after the creation of a POAP have to be approved by the POAP team personally. So, this may consume some time, particularly if the event is close or while it is taking place.

POAP tokens are still in their early days of adoption. Many people understand cryptocurrencies and NFTs, but the POAP non-fungible tokens are not as widely recognized.

But this might change with more event organizers embracing the POAP ecosystem. Because these types of NFTs are freely distributed by the issuers, they provide a fun and free way for people to collect digital keepsakes of memorable events.

Issuers can use POAP non-fungible tokens to enhance engagement and build community. One popular use is for event organizers to create special POAP tokens that are only available to attendees.

As stated earlier, POAP NFTs are not investment vehicles, and any value derived from them lies in the experiences they unlock rather than their monetary value. They are a kind of digital version of a list of places someone has been.

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POAP is quite a new technology that changes the way people interact in the digital world when it comes to events. It allows attendees to collect unique digital badges as proof of participation, creating lifelong memories and value for collectors. POAPs are not just tokens of attendance. These badges will help build stronger communities, reward loyal followers, and open up new ways for brands and creators to reach their audiences.

Going forward, POAP could expand its use cases from events into areas like virtual goods, memberships, and exclusive experiences. 

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