DIP-73 Physical Ethereum Identity — NFC Devcon Tags

DIPs/DIP-73.md

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+---
+DIP: 73
+Title: Physical Ethereum Identity — NFC Devcon Tags
+Status: Draft
+Themes: Ticketing, Social, Art, Freeform
+Tags: Event Production, Software, Other
+Authors: @adityakaklij
+Resources Required: Operations Support, Communications support
+Discussion: https://forum.devcon.org/t/devcon-8-india-physical-ethereum-identity-for-devcon-attendees/9248
+Created: 2026-10-07
+Instances: Devcon8
+---
+
+## Abstract
+
+Provide every Devcon 8 attendee with a unique, themed 3D-printed tag containing an NFC chip.
+
+The tag becomes a physical interface for the attendee's Devcon identity. It can be used at selected event locations for entry, re-entry, workshops, Community Hubs, food, games, benefits, and other activities.
+
+Attendees can optionally link the tag to an Ethereum address or ENS name. Wallet connection should not be required.
+
+The goal is to make Ethereum identity physical, useful, and something attendees want to keep after Devcon.
+
+## Proposal
+
+Each attendee receives a small 3D-printed NFC object designed specifically for Devcon 8.
+
+The object can contain or reference:
+
+- A unique Devcon attendee ID
+- An NFC chip
+- Optional ENS name
+- Optional Ethereum address
+- Devcon branding and a unique physical design
+
+The same object can then be used across different parts of the event.
+
+For example:
+
+- **Entry:** Tap to enter or re-enter.
+- **Workshops:** Tap to register participation.
+- **Community Hubs:** Tap to participate or receive a credential.
+- **Food & Benefits:** Tap to redeem an eligible benefit.
+- **Games:** Use the same identity across event games and quests.
+- **Social:** Tap another attendee to exchange selected information such as an ENS name.
+- **Credentials:** Receive attestations for selected activities.
+
+Not every interaction needs to be onchain. Normal event operations can remain offchain, while selected activities can issue cryptographically verifiable credentials or attestations.
+
+### Physical Design
+
+The tag should be more than an NFC card.
+
+It should be a collectible Devcon artifact with a design based on Devcon 8 and Mumbai. Multiple designs or variants could be produced.
+
+The tags could also be manufactured through a distributed network of 3D printers and makers in India using open manufacturing specifications.
+
+### Privacy
+
+The system should not create a public record of everything an attendee does.
+
+Each interaction should reveal only what is required.
+
+For example:
+
+> "Is this attendee eligible for this benefit?"
+
+rather than:
+
+> "Show everything this attendee has done."
+
+ENS names and Ethereum addresses should be optional, and the NFC tag should not contain sensitive personal information.
+
+Lost tags should be revocable and replaceable.
+
+## Example
+
+An attendee chooses to associate `adityak.eth` with their Devcon identity.
+
+At the entrance, they tap their tag.
+
+Later, they tap it at a workshop and receive a participation credential.
+
+At a Community Hub, the same tag is used again.
+
+They meet another attendee and tap to exchange their selected profile information.
+
+After Devcon, they keep the physical object and can continue using the credentials associated with their identity.
+
+## Requirements
+
+From Devcon and the Devcon team, we need:
+
+- Coordination with the ticketing and registration systems.
+- Permission to deploy NFC readers at selected event locations.
+- Coordination with Community Hubs, workshops, food, games, and other participating activities.
+- Access to the relevant event operations teams for integration and testing.
+- Support for attendee onboarding and replacement of lost tags.
+- Venue access for testing before the event.
+- Support for producing and distributing the physical tags.
+
+From the DIP team:
+
+- Physical tag design.
+- NFC hardware selection and testing.
+- Identity and credential infrastructure.
+- Integration with Devcon systems.
+- Reader deployment and testing.
+- Privacy and security design.
+- Documentation and on-site technical support.
+
+## Success Criteria
+
+The project is successful if:
+
+- The same physical object works across multiple Devcon experiences.
+- Attendees can use it without technical assistance.
+- Wallet connection remains optional.
+- Attendee data is not unnecessarily exposed.
+- Other Devcon projects can integrate with the identity layer.
+- Attendees want to keep the object after Devcon.
+- The system can be reused by future Ethereum events.
+
+## Discussion
+
+The main question is not whether NFC can replace an event badge.
+
+It is:
+
+> **What does an Ethereum-native physical identity look like?**
+
+Devcon 8 provides an opportunity to experiment with that question at real-world scale.
+