Starbucks Launches NFT Community to its First US Beta Testers

The coffee chain giant, Starbucks launches NFT Community and Web3 loyalty program to beta testers

The world's leading coffee chain has recently expanded to the blockchain. Starbucks launches NFT Community and Web3 program to beta testers. Starbucks Odyssey has been launched for U.S. beta testers. It is a new initiative, which includes coffee-themed NFTs that translate to real-world experiences, is an extension of Starbucks' existing loyalty program, Starbucks Rewards, but leverages web3 technology like the polygon blockchain and NFTs. 

Starbucks Launches NFT to investors earlier this year and the coffee chain giant stated that it envisioned Starbucks Odyssey as a way for its most loyal customers to earn a broader, more diverse set of rewards beyond the perks they can earn today, like free drinks. Instead, Starbucks Odyssey come up with a new platform where customers can engage with interactive activities called "Journeys" that, when complete, offers members to earn collectible Journey Stamps — which is Starbucks' less geeky name for NFTs.

The Journeys are basically focused to promote the Starbucks brand and acknowledge customers about coffee and the company's history. They could include any number of activities, like watching videos or taking quizzes, playing puzzles, and most interesting going to the store to try out new drinks Starbucks wants to promote. The latter example is part of what makes Starbucks Odyssey more attractive than some other corporate NFT initiatives, as it is actually connected to the company's existing loyalty program, business goals, and mobile payment technologies, rather than functioning as a quickly tacked-on addition.

In the case of Journeys tied to in-store purchases, Odyssey members would scan their existing Starbucks Rewards card when purchasing the required drink or menu item, and that activity would then be shared back with Odyssey, earning the member points. At around 500 points, members will earn Stamps — that is, a coffee-themed NFT hosted on the Polygon blockchain. These Stamps also unlock special experiences. There will be three levels of benefits and experiences that can be unlocked.