In web3, ownership doesn’t come with T/C

Tokenization in E-commerce: How Web3 is Revolutionizing Digital Ownership

Nilesh Lalwani
bionapp
10 min readAug 1, 2024

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Imagine walking into a store where you can pay with your favorite cryptocurrency, earn instant rewards, and even buy things on credit using your digital assets as collateral. Sounds futuristic, right? Well, that’s exactly what we’re building at Bion. We’re not just another e-commerce platform; we’re revolutionizing how people shop online by blending the best of Web2 and Web3 technologies.

At Bion, we’re bridging the gap between traditional online shopping and the crypto world. How? By creating a platform where both crypto enthusiasts and casual shoppers feel at home.

Let’s break it down:

  1. For crypto fans: You can pay directly with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT. No need to convert to fiat first.
  2. For everyday shoppers: You get the familiar e-commerce experience, but with added perks like instant crypto cashbacks.

This approach isn’t just innovative; it’s necessary.

According to a recent study by Deloitte, 75% of retailers plan to accept cryptocurrency or stablecoin payments within the next two years. We’re ahead of the curve, already offering these options to our users.

64% of surveyed customers would pay in digital currencies

Our mission is simple: empower online shoppers. Tokenization plays a crucial role in this. By introducing the $BION token (coming soon!), we’re giving our users more than just a way to pay. It’s a key to unlock a whole new world of benefits.

Here’s what the $BION token will do:

  1. Payments: Use it to buy products directly on our platform.
  2. Staking: Hold onto your tokens to earn rewards and access exclusive features.
  3. Governance: Have a say in the future of our platform.

This isn’t just about owning a token; it’s about being part of a community and having real ownership in the platform you use.

Think of it like this: In the traditional world, you might have a store loyalty card. It gives you points, maybe some discounts. But with $BION, you’re getting a piece of the store itself. Your token represents real value and utility within our ecosystem.

We’re not alone in this thinking. Major players are catching on. For example, Starbucks recently launched its Odyssey program, blending loyalty points with NFTs. It’s a similar concept, but we’re taking it further by making our token central to the entire shopping experience.

Starbucks Odyssey

We’re not just selling products; we’re redefining what it means to shop online. With Bion, every purchase is an investment, and every transaction is a step towards greater financial empowerment. That’s the power of combining e-commerce with blockchain, and that’s what makes Bion truly innovative.

We plan to go beyond NFTs

When you hear about blockchain and e-commerce, NFTs might be the first thing that comes to mind. But at Bion, we’re thinking bigger. We’re creating a multi-utility token that does more than just represent a digital collectible. Our $BION token is designed to be the lifeblood of our entire e-commerce ecosystem.

Let’s compare our approach to traditional NFTs:

1. NFTs are typically one-of-a-kind digital assets. They’re great for collecting, but not always practical for everyday use.

2. The $BION token, on the other hand, is fungible. This means each token is interchangeable, like a dollar bill. This makes it much more useful for everyday transactions.

Here’s why this matters for e-commerce:

1. Flexibility: Users can spend, save, or trade $BION tokens easily. Try doing that with an NFT of a digital artwork!

2. Fractional ownership: You can own a small part of $BION, making it accessible to more people.

3. Utility across the platform: From payments to rewards, $BION will be useful in multiple ways.

Now, let’s talk about loyalty programs. Traditional programs often fall short. Points expire, redemption can be a hassle, and the value isn’t always clear. Fungible tokens solve these problems.

With $BION:

1. Rewards don’t expire
2. They have real, tradable value
3. They can be used immediately for purchases

This isn’t just theory. Look at Binance’s BNB token. It started as a simple utility token and grew to power an entire ecosystem. That’s the kind of potential we see for $BION.

Let’s break down our tokenomics:

1. Total supply: 1 billion $BION tokens
2. Use cases: Payments, staking, rewards, membership tiers
3. Distribution: Includes community rewards, team tokens, and reserve for future development

This model is designed to drive engagement and retention.

Here’s how:

1. Staking rewards encourage long-term holding
2. Tiered memberships based on token holdings create aspiration
3. Instant rewards in $BION for transactions keep users coming back

Early data from similar models is promising.

For example, Crypto.com’s CRO token saw a 50% increase in user retention after implementing a similar system.

We believe this approach will not only revolutionize how people shop online but also how they interact with and benefit from e-commerce platforms. With $BION, every user becomes a stakeholder, every transaction an investment in the ecosystem. That’s the power of multi-utility tokens in e-commerce.

Cashbacks that stick

Remember the last time you got a cashback reward? You probably had to wait weeks, maybe even months, to see that money. At Bion, we thought, “Why wait?” That’s why we’re introducing instant crypto cashbacks. It’s like getting your change in digital gold, right on the spot.

Here’s how traditional cashback compare to our crypto rewards:

1. Traditional: 2–3% back, paid monthly
2. Bion: Up to 5% back, paid instantly in crypto

The difference is night and day. With Bion, you’re not just saving money; you’re potentially investing in the future of finance.

Our multi-crypto cashback system is a game-changer. Here’s why:

1. Choice: We offer cashbacks in BTC, ETH, USDT, and ALGO. It’s like having a buffet of digital assets to choose from.

2. Instant gratification: See your rewards hit your wallet in real-time. No more waiting for statement cycles.

3. Potential for growth: Unlike traditional cashbacks, your crypto rewards could increase in value over time.

Now, imagine that BTC price increases by 20% in a month. Your $50 cashback is now worth $60. That’s the power of crypto cashback.

But it’s not just about the immediate benefits. These tokenized cashbacks are creating a new form of digital asset. Think about it:

1. Micro-investments: Every purchase becomes a small investment in crypto.
2. Crypto gateway: For many, this could be their first exposure to digital assets.
3. Liquid rewards: Unlike points, these cashbacks can be traded or used immediately.

We’re seeing this trend pick up globally. For instance, the Fold card in the US offers Bitcoin cashback and saw a 100% user growth in 2022. People are hungry for this kind of innovation.

You buy now, but pay later

Ever been excited about a purchase, only to find out you’re just short on funds? That’s where Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) comes in. But at Bion, we’re taking it a step further. We’re introducing a BNPL system that uses your crypto as collateral. It’s like pawning your digital gold for a shopping spree, but way cooler.

Here’s how our crypto-collateralized BNPL works:

1. You want to buy something worth $1000
2. You have $500 worth of crypto
3. Lock up your crypto as collateral
4. Get the full $1000 to spend
5. Pay back over time, get your crypto back

It’s that simple. No credit checks, no lengthy approval processes. Just instant access to credit backed by your digital assets.

Now, let’s talk about the risks and benefits:

Benefits:
1. Instant approval: No waiting, no paperwork
2. No credit check required: Great for those with limited credit history
3. Potential to benefit from crypto price increases

Risks:
1. Volatility: Crypto prices can fluctuate rapidly
2. Liquidation risk: If crypto value drops significantly, you might need to add more collateral
3. Opportunity cost: Your collateralized crypto can’t be traded or used elsewhere

We’re not blind to these risks. That’s why we’re implementing safeguards like adjustable loan-to-value ratios and liquidation buffers.

The potential impact on credit accessibility is huge.

Consider this:

1. Traditional finance often excludes those without credit history
2. Our system opens doors for the 1.7 billion unbanked adults worldwide (World Bank, 2017)
3. It’s particularly beneficial in countries with high crypto adoption but low credit card penetration

Our system opens doors for the 1.7 billion unbanked adults worldwide (World Bank, 2017)

For example, in Nigeria, crypto ownership is at 32% (Triple A, 2021), but credit card penetration is only 3% (Statista, 2021). Our system could bridge this gap.

Source: Statista

This approach isn’t just theoretical. Similar models in DeFi have seen massive growth. Compound, a lending protocol, grew from $100 million to $11 billion in total value locked in just one year.

By bringing this model to e-commerce, we’re not just offering a new way to pay. We’re potentially opening up online shopping to millions who were previously excluded. It’s about financial inclusion, it’s about empowerment, and it’s about time.

At Bion, we believe everyone should have access to credit, regardless of their traditional financial history. With our crypto-collateralized BNPL, we’re making that belief a reality, one purchase at a time.

It is all in the A.I

Imagine walking into a store where everything is tailored just for you. The prices, the products, even the layout. That’s what we’re building at Bion, but in the digital world. We’re combining AI and tokenization to create a shopping experience that’s as unique as you are.

Here’s how we’re using AI at Bion:

1. Our AI learns your preferences and suggests products you’ll love.
2. Prices that adjust based on demand, time of day, and even your shopping habits.
3.Keeping your transactions safe and secure.

But here’s where it gets really interesting. We’re not just using AI; we’re supercharging it with tokenization.

Here’s how:

1. Every token transaction provides rich, real-time data for our AI to analyze.
2.AI can adjust recommendations and pricing instantly based on token usage.
3.By analyzing token flows, AI can predict trends before they happen.

Let’s break this down with an example:

Say you frequently buy eco-friendly products and hold a significant amount of our tokens. Our AI might:

1. Recommend more sustainable products
2. Offer you special “green” token rewards
3. Give you early access to new eco-friendly lines

This level of personalization isn’t just nice to have. It’s becoming essential. A study by Epsilon found that 80% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase when brands offer personalized experiences.

Now, let’s talk about AI-managed tokenized assets. This is where things get really exciting:

1. AI could rebalance your token rewards based on market conditions.
2. Tokens that automatically adjust their benefits based on your shopping behavior.
3. AI could manage tokenized inventory, ensuring popular items are always in stock.

We’re not alone in exploring this. Amazon has been using AI for years to predict customer behavior. But by adding tokenization, we’re taking it to a whole new level.

I believe the future of e-commerce lies at the intersection of AI and tokenization. It’s not just about smarter shopping; it’s about creating a digital marketplace that understands and adapts to each user’s needs in real time.

A look into the future

That’s the future we’re building at Bion with our metaverse commerce plans. But it’s not just about fancy graphics; it’s about reimagining ownership in the digital age.

Here’s what we’re working on:

  1. Try before you buy, but in the metaverse.
  2. Every physical product gets a digital counterpart.
  3. Buy a virtual jacket, wear it across different metaverse platforms.

This isn’t just sci-fi. The metaverse market is expected to reach $800 billion by 2024 (Bloomberg). We’re positioning Bion to be at the forefront of this revolution.

The metaverse market is expected to reach $800 billion by 2024 (Bloomberg)

But with great innovation comes great responsibility. The regulatory landscape for tokenized e-commerce is complex and evolving. Here’s how we’re navigating it:

  1. We’ve partnered with OnRamOffRam to ensure all users are properly verified.
  2. Implementing robust measures to protect user information.
  3. Working to comply with laws across different jurisdictions.

It’s a challenge, but it’s necessary. The cryptocurrency market faced similar hurdles and grew to a $3 trillion market cap in 2021 (CoinGecko). We believe tokenized e-commerce can follow a similar trajectory.

Looking ahead, we predict:

  1. Increased regulatory clarity: Governments will create clearer frameworks for tokenized assets.
  2. Standardization: Industry-wide standards for interoperable digital goods will emerge.
  3. Consumer protection focus: Regulations will aim to protect users in this new digital economy.

At Bion, we’re not just waiting for these changes. We’re actively working with regulators and partners to shape the future of tokenized e-commerce. It’s a complex landscape, but we believe the potential benefits for consumers and businesses are immense.

From instant crypto cashbacks to AI-powered personalization, from crypto-collateralized BNPL to metaverse commerce, we’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Yes, there are challenges — regulatory hurdles, technological complexities, and the need for widespread adoption. But the potential rewards are immense. We’re creating a world where shopping is more rewarding, more accessible, and more aligned with the digital age. As we navigate this exciting landscape, one thing is clear: the fusion of e-commerce and blockchain technology isn’t just a trend — it’s the next evolution of how we buy, sell, and own in the digital world. At Bion, we’re proud to be leading this charge, one transaction at a time.

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Nilesh Lalwani
bionapp

Tech innovator leading Bion, revolutionizing crypto shopping. Founded CASH+, providing $3M in funds. Ex-commodities trading director managing $15M operations.