Implant for Instant Crypto Payments

Crypto is getting more popular each year. So are the innovations that come with it. A man that goes by F418 decided to develop a way to pay “with his hand”. He implemented a chip that allows for wireless payment. Is this the future? Or is it bizarre? Today we'll talk about the possibility of chip implants for instant crypto payments.

The man with a payment chip

The LN is a second-layer payment protocol for the Bitcoin blockchain. Through it users can make payments at “lightning” speed as the name suggests, sending their BTC almost instantly. The LN essentially works by creating a network of payment channels between users with no need for the transactions to pass through the much slower chain. 

A Swiss IT specialist with the pseudonym F418 has implemented a tiny chip into his hand, allowing him to pay by just swiping it when needed. Although he doesn’t recommend it — F418 noticed:

He sees himself as an innovator that wants to experiment with body modifications just for fun. F418 continued: 

The 1st implant failed due to the chip being broken. After taking out the implant, F418 decided to try again. The 2nd attempt was more successful and he could finally pay by using just the palm of his hand. The chip is now in his left hand and it’s possible to pay without the discomfort of utilizing a debit card or phone wallet. 

F418 also swears that the procedure and use don’t hurt, with him not even feeling the chip. However, he warns that the only issue you could face with the implants is that you can’t make them truly safe. It’ll take time before the technologies go further and make chips a usual deal. 

How does it work?

The chip implemented into a man’s hand works via NFC tech allowing to make payments without a card or mobile phone. All he has to do is hold his plan near an NFC reader and the payment will process. All risks considered, it is the quickest and most efficient way to make a BTC payment.

With the rise of crypto adoption, NFC technology is used ever more. The Lightning Networks’ Bolt card, a contactless lighting card that allows you to pay by tapping, is trialed in El Salvador and the British Isle of Man. In the upcoming years, the card is set to launch globally.

However, this is the 1st case of an NFC implant in the human body. F418 has made information on the whole process accessible on his GitHub, for anyone willing to follow in his pursuits. 

The future of contact-free payments

Some crypto and tech enthusiasts are convinced that chip implants for crypto payments are the inevitable future. They would for quick and efficient payments and the creation of a more technologically integrated world.

But how true is that? Fact remains that the vast majority of people are not willing to put an NFC chip under their skin and pay with the palm of their hands. For most people taking out their debit card or phone when asked to pay, is not such a big deal. The benefits just don’t outweigh the cons of having an external chip put in their body. And is that likely to change? Time will tell.