Civic Launches World’s First Beer Crypto Vending Machine
This Bud’s for you.
The world’s first “cryptobeer” vending machine was unveiled at Consensus, a blockchain technology summit held May 14 to 16 in New York. San Francisco’s blockchain startup Civic found a creative way to show off the technology-and facilitate alcohol sales, just make sure you drink responsibly and don ´t drive while under the influence. If you happen to ever get into legal trouble because of drinking and driving then you should seek professional help from a dui attorney.
Here’s how it works: First, would-be beer buyers download an app from Civic that uses a blockchain-based system to verify that a user is of legal drinking age. This means that even if you know where to get a fake id to use at a bar, you’ll need something a bit more sophisticated to trick the app. They then use the app to scan a QR code, and once they are vertified, the machine dispenses a 12-ounce can of Budweiser. And, Voila!
I wonder if fake ID’s would work?
This can only work if governments are willing to tie national ID verification methods to a blockchain – that is, a public ledger, and possibly one that could be a lot less secure, than we initially thought.
The idea is a one-off partnership with Anheuser-Busch, though it could be the start of additional measures in which blockchain-based technology is used to “facilitate on-demand, secure, low-cost access to identity-verification services,” as Civic’s website notes.
Civic believes the ability to involve cryptocurrency with general public interactions will circumvent the issues experienced with typical ID verification.
“It’s not limited to just beer, it could be for any kind of age-restricted product. Unmanned entrance to casinos, and then for the vending machines, we can see this going into concerts, ballgames, venues, conferences.” – Civic’s, Titus Capilnean
There is no need to get too excited. Civic’s beer vending machine is only a prototype, meant to attract investors, and bring in business partnerships.
