Last year sold out! Austrian postal service launches new "Crypto Stamp 2.0"

In June 11 last year, the Austrian Postal Service launched a blockchain stamp called "Crypto stamp" based on Ethereum. Each stamp represents a non-fungible token following the ERC721 standard, making it the first NFT token issued by a government authority. Fast forward a year, amidst the DeFi craze, the Austrian Postal Service has once again introduced "Crypto stamp 2.0".

World's First Blockchain Stamp Issued

Last year, the Austrian Post introduced encrypted stamps, marking the world's first government-issued stamps authenticated using blockchain technology. The "Crypto stamp" can be stored as a digital image on the Ethereum blockchain, and holders can trade the underlying tokens on the NFT marketplace "OpenSea".

The physical size of the "Crypto stamp" is approximately the same as a financial card, featuring a unicorn design in 5 different colors. The price for a single stamp is 6.9 euros, with a total issuance of 150,000 stamps, distributed as follows:

• Red: 1,500 stamps
• Yellow: 10,000 stamps
• Blue: 20,000 stamps
• Green: 40,000 stamps
• Grey: 78,500 stamps

The initial release of the "Crypto stamp" was considered quite successful, selling out completely. The 150,000 stamps are held by 148,995 different addresses, showing a widespread distribution.

"Crypto Stamp 2.0" to be Released in June

Following the success of the first encrypted stamp, the Austrian Post will launch the second edition on June 25th this year. The physical appearance will resemble a credit card packaging, each containing a physical stamp and its corresponding encrypted stamp on the Ethereum chain, priced at 7 euros with a total issuance of 240,000 stamps.

Similarly, the "Crypto stamp" continues to maintain a highly diversified position on the OpenSea trading market, with a single address holding 152,553 stamps, nearly double the second-place CryptoKitties with 88,368 stamps.

Can Stamps Be Mailed?

The total issuance of "Crypto Stamp 2.0" is 240,000 stamps, with approximately 1,500 to 1,800 stamps remaining for each of the four versions.

By entering the "Onchain store" and connecting to the MetaMask wallet, purchases can be made. The most expensive item currently is the Shiba Inu, priced at 9.86 euros. For those seeking cheaper options and not requiring physical stamps, they can also purchase on Opensea.

It is known that the first version of the stamp could indeed be used for mailing purposes, and according to NFT enthusiast Lukas Wiesflecker, the craftsmanship of the second edition is even more exquisite.

As shown in the image below, the physical stamp consists of a main stamp and a secondary stamp that can be affixed to an envelope. The QR code on the main stamp leads to the encrypted stamp's official website, while the secondary stamp conceals the Austrian Post's official website and a default address.

While the DeFi craze is gradually cooling down, with occasional spikes like MEME, many opinions emerge suggesting that "NFT combined with DeFi is the next trend." However, the development of NFTs still faces the phenomenon of "insufficient applications and excessive speculation." Interestingly, the widespread distribution of "Crypto stamps" addresses seems to indicate that even without the latest innovations, seemingly insignificant everyday items can gain adoption.