Allink launches in-store NFT membership with 7-Eleven
-Eleven's NFT membership service enables customers to get Klay coins when they pay with the 7-Eleven app. Courtesy of 7-Eleven
By Yoon Ja-young
Allink, a NFC tag-based information transfer solution provider, announced that it is launching 7-Eleven Korea's NFT membership service, in partnership with Ground X and Klaytn, Kakao's blockchain technology subsidiaries.
Consumers who have 7-Eleven NFTs stored in a Klip digital wallet are rewarded with Klay coins when they pay via the 7-Eleven app, by tapping on Allink's in-store tag. It is likely to be the world's first application of real-time information from tagging by an in-store NFT membership service, according to Allink.
“The future of blockchain technology lies in extending services from the virtual world to the physical one,” said William Wooseok Jang, the chief strategy officer (CSO) at Allink.
“Following the launch of the world's first real-time in-store NFT membership service, we will continue to enable other blockchain-based technologies to rapidly expand into in-person services,” he added.
Koo In-hwe, the head of digital innovation at 7-Eleven Korea, said the convenience store operator has been introducing various digital innovations to make customer visits more convenient and engaging. “Our customers will enjoy a new and improved membership experience, including rich rewards, befitting of the web 3.0 era.”
A spokesperson for Ground X noted the company will continue to collaborate with diverse partners to enable that more users experience the “value of the Klip digital wallet's convenience, expandability and security.”
While diverse businesses have been launching NFT services, following the boom of blockchain-based NFTs, there have been limitations as they were confined to online services. Thus, some have criticized NFTs as a bubble since their value changes depending only on online activities, without involving tangible economic activities. The NFT membership service of 7-Eleven, meanwhile, is expected to open doors to more diverse use by expanding the service offline to payments, while adopting the “Pay to Earn” concept.