Proof of Attendance Protocol, or POAP, lets people receive a blockchain-based token as proof they attended an event. It works like a digital keepsake in your crypto wallet, showing you took part, either in person or online.
POAPs started showing up in 2019, first catching on at tech meetups and hackathons. A big early example was ETHDenver, where organizers gave POAPs to attendees as souvenirs and proof they joined in. After that, POAPs spread to music events, conferences, and online meetups.
Event organizers make a POAP by creating a unique token with a smart contract. At the event, they give out a link or QR code for attendees to claim the token in their wallet. The token usually shows the event name, date, and a picture like a digital badge. Most organizers give POAPs for free to people who were really there.
Most POAPs use standard NFT technology, making each token unique and stored on a blockchain. The details can differ, but once a POAP is created and claimed, it cannot be changed. The blockchain record makes the token a reliable proof of attendance.
POAPs are used in several ways. Organizers give them as souvenirs or to reward people for joining in. Communities use them to show who joined early or took part in special events. Sometimes, owning a POAP gives you extra perks, like access to private groups or future giveaways.
For attendees, POAPs are an easy way to show they were at an event. For organizers, POAPs help track who took part and build a group of supporters. Since the tokens stay in users’ wallets, organizers can reward loyal attendees or give special access to those who hold certain POAPs.
POAPs are collectibles and can be traded, but most are not worth much money. There are some risks: if you lose your wallet, you lose your POAPs; organizers need to make sure only real attendees get tokens; and because records are public, others can see which events you joined, which might not always be desirable.
To get a POAP, scan the event’s QR code or use the link, then accept the token into a wallet that supports NFTs. Make sure to keep your wallet’s recovery info safe, because if you lose access, you lose your POAPs. Wallets and platforms can work differently, so check if your app supports POAPs before the event.
POAP systems usually use common token standards, so wallets and marketplaces can recognize them. This makes it easy to show off your POAPs, collect them from different events, and use them for things like membership checks or special event rewards.
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