POAP Value Simulator
What POAPs Are Really Worth
POAPs aren't about money—they're about proof of participation. This simulator shows what makes a POAP valuable beyond speculation.
Select Event Type
Select Value Factor
Imagine going to a concert, a hackathon, or even a virtual party - and walking away with something that proves you were there. Not a ticket stub, not a photo, but a digital badge that lives forever on the blockchain. That’s what a POAP is. Short for Proof of Attendance Protocol, it’s not just another NFT. It’s a digital souvenir with a purpose: to record real moments in your life on an unchangeable public ledger.
What Exactly Is a POAP?
A POAP is a special kind of non-fungible token (NFT) created to prove you attended a specific event. Unlike CryptoPunks or Bored Apes, POAPs aren’t meant to be flipped for profit. They’re designed to be kept - like a stamp in a passport or a medal from a race. Each one contains a unique image, the event name, and the exact date and time it happened. Once minted, it’s tied to your wallet and can’t be altered or deleted. The idea started in 2019 at ETHDenver, a big crypto conference. Organizers wanted a way to track who showed up to the hackathon without relying on paper badges or spreadsheets. They built a simple tool that minted tokens to attendees’ wallets. It worked so well that people started saving them. Soon, others asked: “Can I get one for my workshop?” “Can we use this for our art show?” The project grew fast. Today, over 6.7 million POAPs have been issued. That’s not just crypto events - it’s conferences from TIME Magazine, panels at the U.S. Open, and even virtual gatherings in Decentraland. If you’ve ever been to a blockchain-related event since 2019, chances are you already have one in your wallet.How Do POAPs Work?
Technically, POAPs are built as ERC-721 tokens - the same standard used by most NFTs on Ethereum. But here’s the twist: they don’t live on Ethereum’s main network anymore. To cut down on expensive gas fees and slow transactions, POAP moved to the xDAI sidechain in 2020. xDAI is faster and cheaper, making it perfect for everyday use. When an event organizer wants to create a POAP, they go to the official POAP platform. They upload an image (usually themed around the event), add a title, set a date and time, and choose how many to issue. Then they generate a unique link. Attendees click that link during or after the event, connect their wallet, and the POAP is sent directly to them. No buying. No bidding. Just claiming. The data behind each POAP is public. Anyone can look up the event, see who received it, and verify the timestamp. That’s why it’s called “proof of attendance.” It’s not just a picture - it’s a verifiable fact on the blockchain.Why Do People Collect Them?
For crypto natives, POAPs are a badge of honor. They show you were part of the early days - the ones who showed up before Ethereum was mainstream. Collectors treat them like a digital scrapbook. One person might have POAPs from every DevCon since 2019. Another might have ones from every DeFi hackathon they joined. Some even use them to prove their involvement in early DAOs or community projects. But it’s not just about bragging rights. POAPs are becoming a form of digital identity. Companies like SushiSwap give POAPs to users who participate in governance votes. Some DAOs use them to grant access to exclusive channels or early drops. In Decentraland, POAPs unlock special areas in virtual worlds. Think of them as keys - not to money, but to belonging. Even traditional brands are catching on. FOX used POAPs for their NFT-themed TV show events. TIME Magazine gave them out to attendees of their NFT art exhibitions. These aren’t marketing gimmicks - they’re ways to build real, lasting connections with audiences.
POAPs vs. Other NFTs: What Makes Them Different?
Most NFTs are bought, sold, and traded. Their value comes from rarity, art, or speculation. POAPs? Their value comes from memory. You won’t find POAPs listed on OpenSea for thousands of dollars. The community actively discourages trading them. Why? Because if you sell your POAP from the 2021 Ethereum Summit, you’re selling proof that you were there. That defeats the whole point. It’s like selling your high school diploma because someone else wants to claim they graduated. This philosophical stance sets POAP apart. It’s not about speculation. It’s about authenticity. The protocol was built to preserve experiences, not create wealth. That’s why it’s survived while so many NFT projects collapsed. Also, unlike most NFTs, POAPs are intentionally simple. No utility tokens. No staking. No metaverse land. Just a badge, a date, and a story.Who Uses POAPs Today?
POAPs aren’t just for crypto geeks anymore. They’re used by:- Event organizers - to track attendance without apps or QR codes
- DAOs and communities - to reward participation and grant access
- Brands and media - to engage fans in real, verifiable ways
- Education platforms - to certify attendance at workshops or webinars
- Developers - to log contributions to open-source projects
How to Get a POAP
If you’re new to crypto, getting a POAP is easier than you think. Here’s how:- Get a crypto wallet (MetaMask is the most common)
- Visit the official POAP website (poap.xyz)
- Look for active drops - they’re listed on the homepage
- Click on one that matches an event you attended
- Connect your wallet and claim it
Can You Create Your Own POAP?
Yes. If you’re hosting an event - online or in person - you can create your own POAP. The process is free and straightforward:- Go to poap.xyz and click “Create a POAP”
- Upload your event image (PNG or JPG, under 5MB)
- Add the event name, date, and description
- Choose how many to mint (you can limit it to 100 or make it open)
- Generate a unique link to share with attendees
- Wait for people to claim them
What’s Next for POAP?
The team behind POAP has big plans. They’re not stopping at attendance. They want it to become a blockchain resume. Imagine applying for a job and being able to show proof that you:- Helped build a DeFi protocol
- Volunteered at a blockchain conference
- Attended a DAO governance session
- Completed a Web3 course
Is POAP Right for You?
If you care about being part of real events - not just scrolling past them - then yes. POAPs are for people who want to remember where they’ve been, who they’ve met, and what they’ve done. They’re for those who believe experiences matter more than pixels. If you’re only looking to make money from NFTs, POAPs aren’t for you. But if you want to build a digital legacy - one that can’t be erased, bought, or deleted - then start collecting. You never know which badge might open a door years from now.What is a POAP and how is it different from other NFTs?
A POAP (Proof of Attendance Protocol) is a digital badge minted as an NFT to prove you attended a specific event. Unlike most NFTs that are bought and traded for profit, POAPs are meant to be kept as memorabilia. They’re not designed for speculation - their value comes from personal meaning, not market price. Each POAP includes the event name, date, and a unique image, and is stored permanently on the blockchain.
Do I need cryptocurrency to get a POAP?
No. You don’t need to buy crypto or pay gas fees to claim a POAP. The event organizer covers the cost. All you need is a crypto wallet (like MetaMask) and a link to the POAP drop. Once you connect your wallet, the POAP is sent to you for free.
Can I sell my POAPs?
Technically, yes - you can list them on NFT marketplaces. But the POAP community strongly discourages it. POAPs are meant to represent personal attendance and experience. Selling one goes against the original intent of the protocol. Many collectors view POAPs as a digital scrapbook, not an investment.
Where are POAPs stored?
POAPs are stored on the xDAI sidechain, a faster and cheaper version of Ethereum. This was done to reduce gas fees and make claiming POAPs accessible to everyone. Your POAP appears in your wallet (like MetaMask) and can be viewed on the official POAP website or app.
Can I create a POAP for my own event?
Yes. Anyone can create a POAP for free at poap.xyz. You upload an image, add event details, and generate a claim link. Attendees connect their wallets and receive the POAP automatically. No coding needed. This is used by everything from small meetups to major companies like TIME Magazine and FOX.
Why do companies use POAPs?
Companies use POAPs to build authentic connections with their audience. Instead of just collecting emails, they give people a verifiable digital token for attending events, voting in governance, or participating in campaigns. This helps foster community loyalty and creates a permanent record of engagement that can later be used to reward loyal followers.
Noriko Yashiro
November 11, 2025 AT 09:18POAPs are like digital postcards from the future - you don’t need to be a crypto expert to get one. I got my first one at a virtual poetry slam last year. Still have it. No resale value, but it’s my favorite NFT.
Atheeth Akash
November 11, 2025 AT 14:36cool idea. i’ve got like 12 already. from hackathons, meetups, even a zoom book club. no big deal, but nice to look back on.
Michael Brooks
November 11, 2025 AT 16:58Most people don’t realize how revolutionary this is. It’s not about the image, it’s about verifiable presence. For open-source devs, it’s a game-changer. You can prove you contributed to a project without relying on commit logs that get wiped or forked. This is the first NFT use case that actually solves a real problem - not just speculation or art.
I’ve used POAPs to track contributors to my documentation repo. Each person gets one after submitting 3 approved edits. Now I have a public, immutable ledger of who helped build it. No more begging people to send me their GitHub handles. It’s elegant. It’s simple. It’s powerful.
Ruby Gilmartin
November 11, 2025 AT 18:33Oh please. This is just another crypto scam dressed up as ‘meaningful memory.’ You think a JPEG on a sidechain is ‘proof’? It’s not even secured by the same chain as ETH. And don’t get me started on how easily these can be faked if the organizer is malicious. You’re just collecting digital confetti.
Douglas Tofoli
November 13, 2025 AT 01:06lol i just claimed a poap for a meetup i went to last week. totally forgot i had a wallet. had to reset my meta mask and spent 20 mins trying to find the link again. but hey, i got it. now i have a badge for ‘attended the pizza & blockchain night.’ worth it.
FRANCIS JOHNSON
November 13, 2025 AT 20:00This is the quiet revolution no one’s talking about. We’ve spent decades building digital identities through likes, follows, and profiles - all controlled by corporations. POAPs? They’re yours. Unchangeable. Unsellable. Unforgettable. This isn’t about tech - it’s about reclaiming your history. Every badge is a breadcrumb back to who you were when you showed up, showed out, and showed up again. You’re not collecting NFTs. You’re curating your soul.
One day, your grandkids will open your wallet and see: ‘Grandpa was here. At the first DAO meeting. At the protest. At the art show that changed everything.’ That’s legacy. That’s power.
Kylie Stavinoha
November 15, 2025 AT 17:03It’s fascinating how POAPs reframe the concept of value. We live in an economy obsessed with ownership and exchange, yet here is a token that derives its worth precisely from its refusal to be traded. It’s a philosophical counterpoint to capitalism - a digital artifact that says, ‘I was present, and that is enough.’
This speaks to a deeper human need: to be witnessed. In a world where attention is commodified, POAPs offer a form of recognition that cannot be bought, inflated, or erased. They are the quiet rebellion of the analog soul in a digital age.
I’ve started giving them to students who complete my ethics seminar. Not as a grade, but as a marker of engagement. One student told me she printed hers and framed it beside her diploma. That’s the kind of impact no tokenomics model could predict.
David Billesbach
November 16, 2025 AT 21:27Let’s be real - this is a front for surveillance capitalism. Who’s controlling the POAP platform? Who’s logging which wallets attended which events? You think your ‘memories’ are private? They’re being harvested, tagged, and sold to advertisers. Next thing you know, your POAP collection is used to predict your political leanings or buying habits. The ‘anti-speculation’ stance? A distraction. They want you to feel safe while they build the ultimate behavioral database.
And don’t tell me ‘it’s on xDAI’ - that’s just another chain controlled by a private entity. No one’s auditing their backend. You’re trusting a company with your digital identity, and calling it ‘decentralized.’ Wake up.
Elizabeth Stavitzke
November 18, 2025 AT 13:59Oh wow, a digital sticker for showing up to a Zoom call? How avant-garde. I’m sure the 19th-century aristocrats would’ve been thrilled to receive a POAP for attending the Salon de Paris. Next up: POAPs for breathing in the presence of a blockchain guru.
It’s cute that people think this is ‘authentic.’ It’s just another performative gesture for the attention economy - now with more gas fees disguised as ‘community.’
James Ragin
November 19, 2025 AT 09:01Did you know that the POAP team is secretly backed by the same venture capital firms that funded FTX? The ‘non-profit’ branding is a smokescreen. The real goal? To onboard millions of new users into the blockchain ecosystem - not to preserve memories, but to create a vast, traceable user base for future DeFi exploitation. Every POAP you claim is a data point in a global financial experiment.
And the ‘no trading’ rule? That’s enforced by centralized moderation. They can freeze your wallet if you try to sell it. That’s not decentralization - that’s control with a smile.
Raymond Day
November 20, 2025 AT 22:06POAPs are literally the only NFTs that don’t suck. 🥹 I have one from the first time I went to DevCon. I cried when I claimed it. My wife thinks I’m weird. I don’t care. I’ve got POAPs from my first crypto meetup, my first DAO vote, even the virtual funeral for a community member who passed away. These aren’t tokens - they’re emotional anchors. And no, I won’t sell them. Ever.
Also, if you’re still mad that your Bored Ape lost value? Maybe you were investing in the wrong thing. 🤷♂️
Johanna Lesmayoux lamare
November 21, 2025 AT 15:08I got my first POAP last month and didn’t even know what it was until my friend explained. Now I check the site every week. It’s like a little digital journal. I don’t care if it’s ‘worth’ anything. It just makes me feel connected.
William Moylan
November 22, 2025 AT 00:43POAPs are just the beginning. Wait till you see the next phase - mandatory POAPs for voting, for accessing healthcare records, for getting a driver’s license. They’re normalizing blockchain identity one badge at a time. You think you’re collecting memories? You’re being prepped for a world where your attendance history determines your credit score. This isn’t nostalgia. It’s digital authoritarianism.
They say ‘no selling’ - but what happens when the government requires you to prove you attended a town hall? You think you have a choice? You already gave them your wallet. You already gave them your history.
Michael Faggard
November 22, 2025 AT 14:42From a dev perspective: POAPs are a brilliant solution to the ‘proof of contribution’ problem. In open-source, we have zero reliable way to quantify non-code contributions - mentoring, documentation, community moderation. POAPs fix that. You can now prove you were active in a DAO’s governance cycle, not just vote. That’s huge for grant applications and job interviews in Web3.
And yes, it’s on xDAI. That’s intentional. Gas fees on Ethereum would kill adoption. This isn’t a compromise - it’s a strategic layer. The trade-off is worth it. You get accessibility + immutability. That’s not lazy engineering. That’s user-centric design.
Diana Dodu
November 23, 2025 AT 19:30Why is America the only country obsessed with turning every single event into a blockchain token? We have a national deficit, climate collapse, and people sleeping on the streets - but we’re spending energy on digital stickers for people who went to a Zoom talk? This is what happens when you let tech bros run the culture. POAPs are the opiate of the masses. Keep collecting your badges, folks. The real world is burning.
Andy Purvis
November 24, 2025 AT 06:02I think POAPs are a good step - not perfect, but meaningful. People get hung up on the tech or the speculation, but honestly? It’s about the feeling. I gave one to my mom after she joined her first crypto AMA. She didn’t understand half of it, but she saved the badge. Said it made her feel like she belonged. That’s worth more than any NFT floor price.