How Are Sleep-To-Earn NFT Platforms Paving the Way for Future Opportunities?

Unlocking new revenue streams by merging sleep with blockchain technology for a healthier, more profitable future.

The emergence of Sleep-To-Earn NFT platforms marks a transformative shift in how we perceive both sleep and digital assets. These innovative platforms enable users to earn rewards while they rest, effectively turning sleep into a valuable commodity. By leveraging blockchain technology, Sleep-To-Earn models create unique, tradable NFTs that represent an individual’s sleep data, thus gamifying the process of rest and health. This novel approach not only incentivizes better sleep habits but also opens up new economic avenues for individuals, allowing them to monetize an essential aspect of their daily lives.

Fig: Sleep-To-Earn NFT Platform Development

As the gig economy continues to evolve, these platforms offer an enticing alternative to traditional work structures, especially for those seeking flexible income sources. Furthermore, the integration of health data with NFTs encourages a more health-conscious society, where individuals are rewarded for prioritizing their well-being. With the potential to revolutionize both the sleep and NFT markets, Sleep-To-Earn platforms are paving the way for future opportunities that blend technology, health, and financial empowerment in unprecedented ways.

Table of Content

What is Sleep-To-Earn NFT Platform Development?
The Role of NFTs in Sleep-To-Earn Platforms
Economic Models of Sleep-To-Earn Platforms
Features Of Sleep-To-Earn App
Benefits Of Developing Sleep-To-Earn NFT Platform
Workflow Of Sleep-To-Earn NFT Platform
Challenges and Considerations
Future Opportunities and Innovations
Conclusion

What is Sleep-To-Earn NFT Platform Development?

Sleep-To-Earn NFT platform development involves creating innovative digital ecosystems where users can earn rewards by tracking and optimizing their sleep patterns through blockchain technology. These platforms utilize non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to represent users’ sleep data, transforming sleep a fundamental aspect of human health into a monetizable asset. Developers integrate various components such as user-friendly interfaces, sleep tracking devices, and decentralized applications (dApps) that ensure seamless interactions. By employing smart contracts, the platforms automate reward distribution based on users’ sleep metrics, encouraging better sleep habits while ensuring transparency and security.

Additionally, incorporating gamification elements enhances user engagement, turning sleep optimization into an enjoyable experience. With the growing interest in wellness and the gig economy, Sleep-To-Earn platforms cater to a diverse audience seeking flexible income sources. Moreover, these platforms foster a community-driven environment where users can share insights and compete, further motivating them to improve their sleep quality. Overall, Sleep-To-Earn NFT platform development represents a convergence of technology, health, and finance, promising to reshape how individuals interact with their sleep and redefine its value in the digital economy.

The Role of NFTs in Sleep-To-Earn Platforms

The concept of “Sleep-To-Earn” platforms is an emerging trend in the decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible token (NFT) space, where users can earn rewards by tracking and verifying their sleep patterns. NFTs play a crucial role in these platforms, enhancing user engagement and incentivizing healthy sleep habits. Here’s how NFTs are integrated into Sleep-To-Earn platforms:

1. NFTs as Unique Sleep Records

• Personalized NFTs: Users can mint unique NFTs that represent their sleep data, such as duration, quality, and patterns. These NFTs serve as proof of their sleep achievements and can be traded or sold.
• Data Ownership: By turning sleep data into NFTs, users gain ownership of their health information, which they can control and potentially monetize.

2. Reward Mechanisms

• Earning Rewards: Users can earn tokens or other rewards based on their sleep data recorded as NFTs. The better the sleep quality, the more rewards they can receive.
• Gamification: Introducing challenges and milestones, such as achieving a certain number of hours of sleep, can encourage users to improve their sleep habits and earn corresponding NFTs.

3. Trading and Collectibility

• Marketplace for Sleep NFTs: Users can trade their sleep-related NFTs on dedicated marketplaces, allowing them to buy, sell, or auction their achievements.
• Collectible Aspects: Unique and aesthetically pleasing NFTs representing significant sleep achievements can attract collectors and foster a community around sleep health.

4. Incentivizing Healthy Sleep Habits

• Behavioral Rewards: Users are incentivized to adopt healthier sleep habits through token rewards linked to their NFTs, creating a direct correlation between good sleep practices and financial benefits.
• Social Sharing: Users can share their sleep NFTs on social media, promoting a culture of healthy sleep and encouraging others to participate in the Sleep-To-Earn ecosystem.

5. Community Engagement and Challenges

• Community Competitions: Platforms can host competitions where users compete to achieve the best sleep records, with winners receiving exclusive NFTs or higher rewards.
• Building Communities: By participating in challenges and trading NFTs, users can engage with others in the community, fostering a supportive environment focused on improving sleep.

6. Integration with Health and Wellness Apps

• Partnerships: Sleep-To-Earn platforms can collaborate with health and wellness applications to gather and verify sleep data, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the NFTs being minted.
• Holistic Health: Users can track other health metrics (e.g., exercise, diet) alongside sleep and receive NFTs for their overall wellness, encouraging a more comprehensive approach to health.

7. Future Utility of Sleep NFTs

• Access to Premium Features: Users could unlock exclusive features or content by holding specific NFTs, such as personalized sleep coaching or advanced sleep tracking analytics.
• Integration with Other Platforms: Sleep NFTs could be utilized across various DeFi platforms, offering additional earning opportunities and cross-platform rewards.

NFTs play a significant role in enhancing the Sleep-To-Earn ecosystem by providing unique identifiers for individual sleep achievements, incentivizing healthy habits, and fostering community engagement. As the concept continues to evolve, the integration of NFTs can lead to innovative health and wellness solutions, transforming how users view and manage their sleep patterns. This intersection of blockchain technology and health consciousness has the potential to create a more engaging and rewarding experience for users focused on improving their overall well-being.

Economic Models of Sleep-To-Earn Platforms

The “Sleep-To-Earn” (S2E) model is a novel concept that incentivizes individuals to improve their sleep habits by rewarding them for tracking and verifying their sleep data, typically using blockchain technology and NFTs. Various economic models can be applied to these platforms to ensure sustainability, user engagement, and effective reward distribution. Here are some key economic models associated with Sleep-To-Earn platforms:

1. Tokenomics

• Native Tokens: S2E platforms often create a native cryptocurrency or token that serves multiple purposes, such as paying for rewards, accessing features, and participating in governance.
• Supply and Demand: The token supply can be controlled through mechanisms like burning (removing tokens from circulation) or minting new tokens based on user activity, helping maintain its value and encouraging user participation.

2. Staking Mechanism

• Earning Through Staking: Users can stake their native tokens or NFTs to earn additional rewards. This encourages long-term engagement and investment in the platform.
• Tiered Rewards: Different staking tiers can offer varying reward rates or access to exclusive features, incentivizing users to hold and stake more tokens.

3. Reward Distribution Models

• Performance-Based Rewards: Users earn rewards based on the quality and quantity of their sleep, with higher rewards for better sleep metrics. This model encourages users to improve their sleep habits.
• Daily or Weekly Payouts: Users can receive regular payouts (daily, weekly, or monthly) based on their verified sleep data, providing a steady income stream that motivates continued participation.

4. Gamification Elements

• Challenges and Competitions: The platform can host challenges where users compete to achieve the best sleep scores, earning additional tokens or NFTs as rewards. This creates a community-driven economy where users are incentivized to engage with the platform.
• Levels and Badges: Users can unlock levels or badges for achieving sleep milestones, which can be tied to specific rewards or privileges within the platform.

5. Marketplace Dynamics

• NFT Marketplace: Users can trade or sell their sleep-related NFTs on a marketplace, creating an economy around unique sleep achievements. This can enhance user engagement and incentivize higher quality sleep.
• Secondary Sales: A percentage of sales from NFTs on secondary markets can be reinvested into the platform, funding further development or rewards.

6. Partnerships and Collaborations

• Affiliate Programs: Collaborations with health and wellness brands can provide users with discounts or rewards for their sleep achievements, enhancing the economic model through external incentives.
• Data Monetization: Platforms can partner with research institutions or health organizations to provide anonymized sleep data, generating revenue that can be redistributed as rewards to users.

7. Decentralized Governance

• Community Governance: Users can hold governance tokens that allow them to vote on platform decisions, such as reward structures, new features, or partnerships. This democratizes the platform and aligns user interests with its success.
• Proposal Funding: Community members can propose changes or new initiatives, with funding allocated from platform revenues or reserves based on community votes.

8. Freemium Model

• Basic vs. Premium Features: Users can access basic features for free while offering premium features (like advanced sleep analytics or personalized coaching) through a subscription model, creating a revenue stream.
• Incentivized Upgrades: Users may be incentivized to upgrade to premium features through promotional token rewards, enhancing user retention and engagement.

9. Dynamic Pricing Models

• Adjustable Reward Rates: Reward rates can be dynamically adjusted based on platform performance, user engagement, or overall token supply, helping to manage inflation and ensure sustainable rewards.
• Market-Driven Pricing: Users could set their reward rates or prices for NFT sales based on demand, creating a self-regulating economic model.

The economic models for Sleep-To-Earn platforms are designed to promote user engagement, incentivize healthy habits, and ensure sustainability. By leveraging tokenomics, staking mechanisms, gamification, and community governance, these platforms can create a vibrant ecosystem that benefits users and promotes better sleep health. As the Sleep-To-Earn concept evolves, innovative economic models will continue to emerge, shaping how users interact with their health and wellness.

Features Of Sleep-To-Earn App

A Sleep-To-Earn app aims to incentivize users to track and improve their sleep patterns by rewarding them for their efforts. To create a compelling user experience and ensure engagement, such an app would typically include the following features:

1. Sleep Tracking

• Automated Tracking: Integration with wearable devices (smartwatches, fitness trackers) or smartphone sensors to automatically monitor sleep patterns, duration, and quality.
• Manual Input: Allow users to manually log their sleep data if they prefer not to use wearable devices.

2. Data Visualization

• Sleep Analytics Dashboard: A user-friendly dashboard displaying sleep trends, including total sleep time, sleep cycles, and quality scores.
• Historical Data: Access to historical sleep data to track progress over time and identify patterns or areas for improvement.

3. Earning Rewards

• Token Rewards: Users earn tokens or points based on their sleep performance, which can be redeemed for various rewards, such as discounts, NFTs, or cash equivalents.
• Performance-Based Incentives: Higher rewards for achieving sleep quality milestones or consistent sleep patterns.

4. NFT Minting and Marketplace

• NFT Creation: Users can mint NFTs representing their unique sleep achievements, which can be traded or sold on a marketplace.
• Marketplace Integration: A platform for users to buy, sell, or trade sleep-related NFTs, fostering a community around sleep health.

5. Community Features

• Social Sharing: Users can share their sleep achievements on social media or within the app’s community, promoting engagement and motivation.
• Challenges and Competitions: Community-driven challenges where users can compete to achieve the best sleep records, with additional rewards for winners.

6. Personalized Recommendations

• Sleep Coaching: AI-driven personalized recommendations for improving sleep quality, including lifestyle changes, bedtime routines, and relaxation techniques.
• Goal Setting: Users can set specific sleep goals and receive tailored tips to achieve them.

7. Integration with Health Apps

• Cross-Platform Integration: Sync data with popular health and fitness apps to provide a holistic view of users’ health metrics.
• Comprehensive Health Tracking: Users can track other health metrics (e.g., exercise, diet) alongside sleep, receiving rewards for overall wellness.

8. Educational Resources

• Sleep Health Articles: Access to a library of articles, videos, and podcasts about sleep health, benefits, and tips.
• Webinars and Workshops: Opportunities to participate in live sessions or recorded workshops led by sleep experts.

9. Notifications and Reminders

• Sleep Reminders: Notifications to encourage users to stick to their sleep schedules and remind them to wind down.
• Progress Alerts: Regular updates on users’ progress toward sleep goals and reminders of their earned rewards.

10. Gamification Elements

• Achievements and Badges: Users can earn badges for reaching sleep milestones or completing challenges, enhancing engagement and motivation.
• Leaderboard: A leaderboard displaying top performers within the community, encouraging friendly competition.

11. Decentralized Governance

• User Voting: Users can participate in governance by voting on platform changes, rewards structures, or new features, fostering a sense of community ownership.
• Proposal Submission: Users can submit proposals for improvements or new features, with the community voting on their implementation.

12. Privacy and Security

• Data Ownership: Users retain ownership of their sleep data, with options to monetize or share it under their control.
• Secure Data Handling: Robust security measures to protect user data and ensure privacy, including encryption and anonymization options.

A Sleep-To-Earn app can engage users effectively by combining technology with community-driven features. By focusing on user experience and incentivizing healthy sleep habits, such an app can promote better sleep while creating a vibrant ecosystem that rewards users for their efforts. As the concept continues to evolve, incorporating new features and innovations will be key to maintaining user interest and satisfaction.

Benefits Of Developing Sleep-To-Earn NFT Platform

Developing a Sleep-To-Earn NFT platform offers a range of benefits, both for the platform creators and the users. Here are some key advantages:

1. Promotes Healthy Sleep Habits

• Incentivization: By rewarding users for tracking their sleep patterns, the platform encourages healthier sleep habits and overall wellness.
• Awareness: The platform raises awareness about the importance of sleep, helping users understand its impact on physical and mental health.

2. Monetization Opportunities

• Token Rewards: Users can earn tokens that have real-world value, creating a financial incentive for improved sleep.
• NFT Marketplace: The ability to mint and trade sleep-related NFTs can create a marketplace that generates additional revenue through transaction fees.

3. User Engagement and Community Building

• Social Interaction: Community features, such as challenges and competitions, foster engagement and create a supportive environment focused on sleep health.
• Gamification: The introduction of gamified elements, such as badges and leaderboards, keeps users motivated and engaged with the platform.

4. Data Ownership and Control

• User Empowerment: Users own their sleep data and can choose to monetize it or share it with researchers or health organizations, providing a sense of control and autonomy.
• Privacy Considerations: Secure data handling ensures that users feel safe sharing their information.

5. Integration with Health Ecosystem

• Holistic Health Tracking: The platform can integrate with other health and wellness applications, allowing users to see their sleep data in the context of their overall health metrics.
• Partnership Opportunities: Collaborations with health and wellness brands can enhance the platform’s offerings and provide users with additional benefits.

6. Innovative Use of NFTs

• Unique Achievements: NFTs can represent individual sleep achievements, creating a unique way for users to track and celebrate their progress.
• Market Dynamics: The trading of sleep-related NFTs fosters a dynamic marketplace that can increase user interest and investment in the platform.

7. Potential for Research and Insights

• Aggregated Data: The platform can collect anonymized sleep data for research purposes, providing valuable insights into sleep patterns and behaviors that can benefit the scientific community.
• Improved Products: Insights gained can lead to better sleep products, services, and wellness programs, further enhancing the value of the platform.

8. Sustainability Through Ecosystem Growth

• Long-Term Engagement: Continuous updates, new features, and community-driven governance can help maintain user interest over the long term.
• Dynamic Economy: The economic model can adapt to market demands and user behaviors, ensuring sustainability and growth.

9. Accessibility and Inclusivity

• Global Reach: An NFT platform can be accessed globally, allowing users from different regions to benefit from improved sleep habits and earn rewards.
• Diverse User Base: The platform can attract a wide range of users, from health enthusiasts to casual users, making it a versatile tool for promoting sleep health.

10. Educational Opportunities

• Resources and Support: Providing educational materials on sleep health and wellness helps users understand their sleep patterns and improves overall engagement.
• Workshops and Webinars: Offering events with sleep experts can further educate users and enhance community involvement.

Developing a Sleep-To-Earn NFT platform holds significant potential for promoting healthy sleep habits, creating a vibrant user community, and generating economic opportunities. By leveraging blockchain technology, gamification, and community engagement, such a platform can not only improve individual well-being but also contribute valuable insights to the broader health ecosystem. As interest in wellness and innovative economic models continues to grow, the Sleep-To-Earn concept is poised to make a meaningful impact.

Workflow Of Sleep-To-Earn NFT Platform

The workflow of a Sleep-To-Earn NFT platform involves several key stages, from user onboarding to earning rewards and trading NFTs. Below is a detailed breakdown of the typical workflow:

1. User Onboarding

• Registration: Users create an account by providing basic information (email, password) and verifying their identity if required.
• Wallet Setup: Users connect a digital wallet (e.g., MetaMask) to manage their tokens and NFTs securely.
• Introduction to Features: A tutorial or onboarding guide explains how the platform works, including sleep tracking, earning mechanisms, and NFT minting.

2. Sleep Tracking Setup

• Device Integration: Users can connect wearable devices (smartwatches, fitness trackers) or use smartphone sensors to track their sleep patterns automatically.
• Manual Logging: Users can also enter their sleep data manually if they don’t use wearable technology.

3. Data Collection and Analysis

• Sleep Data Monitoring: The platform continuously collects sleep data, including sleep duration, quality, and patterns.
• Data Visualization: Users access a dashboard displaying their sleep statistics, trends, and performance metrics over time.

4. Reward Mechanism Activation

• Earning Tokens: Based on verified sleep data, users earn tokens for meeting specific sleep goals or quality benchmarks.
• Performance-Based Rewards: Users receive higher rewards for consistently achieving better sleep metrics (e.g., total sleep hours, REM sleep).

5. NFT Minting

• Achievement Recognition: Once users reach specific milestones (e.g., 30 days of quality sleep), they can mint NFTs representing their achievements.
• NFT Customization: Users may have options to personalize their NFTs (e.g., adding unique designs or inscriptions).

6. NFT Marketplace Interaction

• Marketplace Access: Users can access a built-in marketplace to trade, sell, or auction their sleep-related NFTs.
• Transaction Management: The platform facilitates transactions, including token transfers and NFT exchanges, with appropriate fees applied.

7. Community Engagement

• Challenges and Competitions: The platform hosts challenges where users can compete for top sleep scores or milestones, with additional rewards for winners.
• Social Features: Users can share achievements on social media or within the app community, fostering interaction and motivation.

8. Education and Resources

• Health Resources: Users have access to educational articles, videos, and webinars on sleep health and wellness.
• Personalized Recommendations: Based on sleep data, users receive tailored tips and recommendations to improve their sleep quality.

9. Governance and Feedback

• User Voting: Users with governance tokens can vote on platform decisions, such as feature implementations, reward structures, or community initiatives.
• Feedback Mechanism: Users can submit feedback or proposals for new features, fostering a sense of community involvement.

10. Continuous Monitoring and Improvement

• Data Analysis: The platform analyzes aggregated sleep data to identify trends and areas for improvement, both for users and the platform itself.
• Feature Updates: Regular updates and enhancements are rolled out based on user feedback and technological advancements.

11. Withdrawal and Monetization

• Token Redemption: Users can exchange earned tokens for real-world value (e.g., cash, gift cards) or use them for purchasing products/services within the platform.
• NFT Sales: Users can sell their NFTs in the marketplace, potentially earning additional income based on the uniqueness and demand for their achievements.

The workflow of a Sleep-To-Earn NFT platform encompasses a user-friendly process that encourages healthy sleep habits, fosters community engagement, and provides opportunities for users to earn rewards through innovative mechanisms. By combining technology, gamification, and education, such a platform can effectively motivate users to prioritize their sleep health while participating in a vibrant ecosystem centered around wellness and personal achievement.

Challenges and Considerations

While Sleep-To-Earn NFT platforms present exciting opportunities, they also face several challenges and considerations that must be addressed for successful implementation. One significant concern is data privacy; users may hesitate to share sensitive sleep data due to fears of misuse or breaches. Ensuring robust security measures and transparent data handling practices is crucial for building trust within the user community. Additionally, the volatility of the cryptocurrency market can pose financial risks, making it essential for platforms to develop stable economic models that offer consistent rewards.

Regulatory compliance is another critical factor, as governments worldwide are still formulating guidelines for blockchain technology and NFTs. Furthermore, educating users about the technology and its benefits is necessary to encourage adoption. Lastly, as with any gamified system, maintaining user engagement over time can be challenging, requiring innovative features and ongoing updates to keep the experience fresh and appealing. Addressing these challenges will be vital for the long-term viability and success of Sleep-To-Earn NFT platforms.

Future Opportunities and Innovations

The Sleep-To-Earn (S2E) NFT platform presents numerous future opportunities and innovations that can enhance user engagement, expand functionality, and integrate with broader health and wellness ecosystems. Here are some key areas for future development:

1. Advanced Sleep Tracking Technologies

• AI and Machine Learning: Incorporate AI algorithms to analyze sleep patterns more effectively, providing users with personalized insights and recommendations based on their unique data.
• Biometric Integration: Partner with companies developing advanced wearables that can monitor not just sleep but other health metrics (e.g., heart rate, temperature), creating a comprehensive health profile.

2. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

• Sleep Environment Simulation: Use AR/VR to help users visualize their sleep environments, offering suggestions for creating optimal sleep settings (lighting, noise, etc.).
• Relaxation Experiences: Develop immersive experiences that guide users through relaxation techniques before bedtime, potentially improving sleep quality.

3. Personalized Sleep Coaching

• AI-Driven Coaching: Offer AI-driven sleep coaching that provides users with customized sleep plans based on their tracked data, lifestyle habits, and goals.
• Expert Consultations: Facilitate virtual consultations with sleep specialists or wellness coaches for personalized advice and support.

4. Integration with Health Platforms

• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Collaborate with popular health and wellness apps (e.g., fitness trackers, meditation apps) to create a seamless experience that consolidates health data.
• Insurance Partnerships: Explore partnerships with health insurance companies to offer incentives for users who improve their sleep quality, linking rewards to premium reductions.

5. Expanded Gamification Elements

• Dynamic Challenges: Introduce seasonal or themed challenges that encourage users to engage more actively with the platform and compete for exclusive rewards or NFTs.
• Team Competitions: Allow users to form teams or groups to foster community engagement and encourage collective goal achievement.

6. Enhanced NFT Functionality

• Dynamic NFTs: Develop NFTs that evolve based on user activity, changing design or rarity levels as users achieve new milestones.
• Exclusive Rewards: Create unique NFTs that grant users access to premium content, services, or events, enhancing the value of the NFTs beyond mere collectibles.

7. Sustainability and Social Impact Initiatives

• Eco-Friendly Practices: Implement sustainable practices within the platform, such as using eco-friendly blockchain technologies or donating a portion of earnings to sleep health research or mental health organizations.
• Social Awareness Campaigns: Run campaigns that raise awareness about sleep disorders, mental health, and overall wellness, potentially partnering with relevant charities or organizations.

8. Community-Driven Innovations

• User-Generated Content: Encourage users to share their sleep tips, experiences, and success stories, creating a rich repository of knowledge within the community.
• Feedback Loops: Establish mechanisms for continuous user feedback on platform features, allowing for rapid iteration and improvements based on community input.

9. Global Expansion and Localization

• Multilingual Support: Expand to non-English speaking markets by localizing content, features, and rewards, broadening the platform’s appeal.
• Cultural Adaptation: Consider cultural differences in sleep practices and incorporate local customs and recommendations into the platform.

10. Data-Driven Insights and Research

• Collaborative Research: Partner with universities and research institutions to conduct studies on sleep health using aggregated anonymized data, contributing to scientific knowledge while enhancing platform credibility.
• Real-Time Health Analytics: Develop real-time health analytics tools that provide insights into how various factors (diet, exercise, stress) impact sleep, offering users a holistic view of their health

The future of Sleep-To-Earn NFT platforms is rich with potential innovations that can enhance user experience, drive engagement, and expand their role within the broader health ecosystem. By leveraging advanced technologies, fostering community interaction, and prioritizing user needs, these platforms can create sustainable and impactful solutions for sleep health in the years to come. As awareness of the importance of sleep continues to grow, the opportunities for innovation and development in this space will likely expand, making it an exciting area for investment and growth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sleep-To-Earn NFT platforms are not merely a trend but a groundbreaking innovation that redefines how we approach both sleep and income generation. By transforming sleep into a tangible asset, these platforms encourage healthier lifestyles while creating unique economic opportunities for users. As individuals engage with their sleep data through gamified experiences and NFTs, they find motivation to prioritize their well-being and reap financial rewards simultaneously. The integration of blockchain technology ensures transparency and security, making the ecosystem more appealing to a diverse audience.

Furthermore, as the world increasingly embraces digital solutions, Sleep-To-Earn platforms stand at the forefront of a new paradigm, merging wellness with finance in ways previously unimaginable. The potential for scalability and adaptation in various industries hints at a future where personal health and digital assets converge, paving the way for innovative business models and community-building initiatives. As we look ahead, it’s clear that Sleep-To-Earn NFT platforms are setting the stage for a healthier, more financially empowered society, inviting us all to rethink our relationship with sleep and its intrinsic value.