In the latest episode of the Hashing It Out podcast, host Elisha Owusu Akyaw led a roundtable discussion with Jake Campton, communications lead at VeChain, and Reffo Tse, co-founder and CEO of Puffpaw, exploring how Web3 technology is being used to promote healthier lifestyles and sustainable actions.
The conversation offered an in-depth look at how blockchain’s decentralized tools can use tokenized rewards to encourage people to make positive behavioral changes.
Campton outlined how VeChain is shifting its focus from supply chain management to sustainability.
VeChain’s VeBetterDAO ecosystem was a key point in the discussion, with Campton explaining how the platform tokenizes sustainable actions like recycling, using public transportation or driving electric vehicles. The concept revolves around removing the so-called “sustainability tax,” where green or eco-friendly choices often come with a financial cost.
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Campton explained, “Instead of making sustainability a cost, we incentivize people to take sustainable actions by rewarding them with tokens. If you recycle or take public transport, you’re not penalized with higher costs — you’re rewarded.”
This shift in approach — rewarding users for sustainability efforts — shows how blockchain can be leveraged to make eco-friendly choices not only accessible but also economically beneficial.
Tse brought a different perspective to the discussion, highlighting Puffpaw’s approach to tackling nicotine addiction through Web3. Puffpaw’s “vape-to-earn” model offers users token-based rewards for reducing their nicotine intake, monitored through connected devices that track vaping habits.
“The best part is we have a Bluetooth connection, sensors, and chips for each of the pods, so we can monitor the smoking activity. Based on that data, we create a mechanism to help users lower their nicotine dosage.”
This approach merges health-focused technology with blockchain, creating an ecosystem that helps users gradually quit smoking while offering financial incentives to encourage progress.
According to Tse, the integration of hardware and blockchain in Puffpaw’s model demonstrates the potential of Web3 to address real-world issues like addiction in a data-driven and user-friendly manner.
The episode also delved into the wider potential of Web3 technology beyond these specific projects. Both guests concurred that incentivization could serve as a cornerstone for future blockchain applications, especially in areas such as health, education, and environmental sustainability. The guests also highlighted the challenges of building Web3 products with incentive structures and creating a balance between marketing incentives and the goals of these platforms.
Listen to the latest episode of Hashing It Out on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or TuneIn. You can also explore Cointelegraph’s complete catalog of informative podcasts on the Cointelegraph Podcasts page.
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