While crypto enthusiasts continue to tout the benefits of decentralized ledger technology, some bitcoin supporters let the tokens get under their skin, literally. For Dutchman Martijn Wismeijer, marketing manager of the cryptocurrency ATM company, General Bytes, chip implants are the crypto storage of choice.
Making purchases at the wave of his hand, Wismeijer’s chips were implanted in 2014, though he wishes he would’ve gone under the knife when he started purchasing bitcoin eight years ago. Now considering changing out his chips for updated tech, he reports knowledge of at least 50 others who have followed suit.
Subdermal technology is nothing new, as veterinarians use microchips to track household pets. That said, the FDA raises concerns of chip migration throughout the body. Meanwhile, toxicology and veterinary studies conducted during the ‘90’s showed chip implants induced tumors in lab animals.
Wismeijer reports no health trouble related to his rice-sized implants, choosing them because of their convenient compatibility with NFC scanners and bitcoin ATMs, safe storage, and decreased hackability from digital wallets.
How do subdermal crypto implants work?
Compatible with devices with near-field communication antennae, the chips can store 888 bytes, and work with tablets, smartphones, and some POS systems.
While these chips store altcoins as well as bitcoins, they can also be programmed for other functions, such as unlocking doors or logging on to a computer and may also contain password storage.
As it stands, NextPakk has no plans of subdermal implants for storing the Pakka token. However, like any altcoin, it may be included by choice.
