A new cryptocurrency has appeared recently. The German car manufacturer Daimler announced creation of its own digital money. The coin, developed by the owner of the Mercedes-Benz brand, is called MobiCOIN. For the time being, its main purpose is to reward drivers who stick to the principles of eco driving.
The pilot project has already been launched and will run up to April. 500 drivers will participate in it. Each of them will get eco points and thus will earn MobiCOINs. For example, drivers can get points for smooth acceleration and braking. The trip computer sends data to a mobile app that generates MobiCOINs and transfers them to a driver’s account. Drivers can learn the total score and the amount of earned crypto coins only after they finish their drive. Currently, MobiCOINs can be used to pay for a ticket to various events such as the MercedesCup final or the fashion week in Berlin.
Daimler's crypto coins are based on the blockchain technology, like other cryptocurrencies. “Blockchain with its decentralized architecture will open new business models and multiply the opportunities for interaction between small and large players,” Jonas von Malottki, a blockchain expert at Daimler, said.
