Partnerships and team members

What is the timeframe on the TAP redemption integration in Brave Rewards?

The current target is to release TAP redemption options in Brave Rewards in 2019. Both projects will be providing updates on progress as they move forward with the integration.

What is Hooch, TAP, and Tap Network? Are they the same thing?

Hooch is a standalone app that features redemption offers from partners within the TAP Network. The TAP Network extends beyond the Hooch app, allowing partners to provide different offers on different platforms.

TAP Network is the blockchain technology company that operates a “universal rewards” network. TAP Coin is the native “stablecoin” used within the TAP Network. Hooch is the first consumer app to integrate the full suite of TAP rewards technology.

What will be the differences between the Hooch app and the TAP Network redemptions offered in Brave Rewards?

Both Brave and Hooch users will have the same access to the TAP Network, which includes over 250,000+ merchant partners and continues to grow every day.

How does the process of redeeming BAT work within Brave Rewards, and where does TAP come in?

Brave users will be able to browse through an online catalog of rewards. This catalog will include gift cards (Amazon, Uber, Apple, etc.), restaurant certificates, hotel discounts and more. Each item will have a redemption value, denominated in BAT. Users can simply select the rewards they want to redeem, and the corresponding amount of BAT will be deducted from their in-browser wallet. TAP Network technology will power the transaction in the background without the user having to do anything more than select their desired reward.

Will I still need the Hooch app to redeem hotel stays and food, or will I be able to do everything within the Brave browser?

To redeem rewards with BAT, all you need is the Brave browser. However, the Hooch App provides a different way for you to earn and redeem rewards from the TAP network.

I heard I will be able to donate to charities and causes with the Brave and TAP partnership. How does that work?

In addition to gift cards and other redemption options available to Brave Rewards users from the TAP Network, there will be over a hundred charities and causes that users can choose to donate to. Donating to a cause will be similar to redeeming a gift card or any other offer in the TAP Network.

Do I have to opt into Brave Ads in order to earn BAT?

Apart from Brave Ads, users can claim promotional BAT grants from Brave, or load BTC, LTC, ETH and BAT directly into their Brave Rewards wallet. When a user directly loads their wallet with BTC, LTC or ETH, the funds are automatically converted into BAT and credited to their in-browser wallet.

When Brave Ads is released, users will be able to earn BAT for choosing to view and engage with Brave Ads. Users will be able to use both the BAT they’ve directly loaded into their wallets and the BAT they’ve earned from viewing Brave Ads for TAP Network rewards and redemptions.

I know how this partnership benefits Brave, but how does this partnership benefit TAP Network?

This partnership increases the total number of users in the TAP Network. TAP Network’s mission is to revolutionize the rewards and loyalty industry, and to help consumers monetize their own data. TAP Network wants to design a simple and universal rewards program that doesn’t limit where consumers can earn or use their rewards, all the while fiercely protecting consumer data and privacy. TAP Network achieves this by using blockchain technology to anonymize your data while paying you with rewards from our merchant partners. Brave has the same mission to protect and reward consumers, so we are thrilled to add millions of Brave users to our network.

Is BAT being exchanged for TAP coins in the background? What is the economic flow?

First, Brave Rewards users will accumulate BAT as they browse in Brave when they opt into seeing Brave Ads. Second, Brave Rewards will assign a BAT SKU for each TAP Network redemption offer available to Brave users. Third, the user will select a redemption offer and apply their accumulated BAT toward the offer. Fourth, the TAP Network will process the BAT through the TAP Network’s existing TAP Coin-based redemption system. Brave Rewards users will only see BAT throughout their user experience.

What if you own BAT in your own crypto wallet but are not a Brave user? Can you benefit from the TAP Network?

The Brave and TAP Network partnership will provide redemption offers within Brave Rewards for users who opt in. The Brave and TAP Network partnership offerings are not available outside of Brave; however, external BAT that is transferred into the Brave Rewards wallet can also be used toward redemption offers.

Approximately how much browsing will I need to do with Brave to earn a hotel stay or a gift card?

The redemption offer values will vary. For example, the initial redemption options will be gift cards, and gift card values will be tested and evaluated as a part of the collaboration. For larger redemption offers for hotels, etc., the ability to directly load additional BAT or convert BTC, LTC, and ETH to BAT in your Brave Rewards wallet provides additional options aside from redeeming exclusively with earned BAT. Users are also able to control how often they want to be presented with Brave Ads, so earnings will vary based on those settings.

How will the changing price of BAT impact reward redemption? Will that ever be a problem?

Cost per item in the TAP rewards catalog will be refreshed in real-time to display the correct number of BAT required for redemption. We will ensure that changes do not negatively impact the user experience.

If I’m already part of a separate hotel rewards program, like Hilton Honors, will my TAP hotel points be added to my overall hotel points?

The Brave and TAP partnership does not currently integrate or exchange value with other hotel or rewards programs. However, in the future, TAP Network will be working with major hospitality and travel rewards programs to provide interoperability. Stay tuned for future announcements on this topic.

The press release mentions 250k top brand partners, who are they and can you name some?

For a sneak peek of TAP Network’s partner brands, you can download the latest version of the Hooch App and browse all TAP Network merchants in the following four categories: Travel, Dining, Entertainment and e-Commerce.

How is the Brave and Tap Network partnership unique and different from other “crypto partnerships”?

Brave and TAP Network are two real companies with active users and real-world utility. Brave brings millions of users, while TAP brings to the table a network of 250,000+ merchant partners. Few if any companies in the crypto space enjoy this level of scale, legitimacy and acceptance. The Brave and TAP Network partnership will deliver blockchain-based rewards and real-world redemption offers to mainstream audiences.

Is there a time frame for the availability of rewards like gift cards, vouchers, and other unique rewards or will everything be available at once?

Redemption offers will be continually integrated over time, and will begin to be offered in 2019. The two teams are actively working together to bring rewards options to users sooner rather than later, which means you will see part of the offerings rolled out sooner than others.

Are you obligated to become a Hooch member to redeem certain rewards like hotels stays?

Redemption offers provided in Brave Rewards will not require membership. TAP will likely offer additional programs or membership options to Brave users though Brave Ads.

Can I earn BAT via the Hooch app if I am a Hooch member without the Brave browser?

That is a great idea; however, the current technical roadmap for Hooch does not contain any initiatives related to earning BAT, though it may be an option in the future.

Will there ever be an option in the Hooch app to redeem rewards similar to the mechanism of TAP? Will I be able to directly earn BAT just like I do with TAP by going to certain venues and earning a certain amount back?

You can earn TAP Coin in the Hooch app today by linking your credit and debit cards. This allows anonymous verification of your purchases, for which you will receive a percentage back in TAP Coin from merchants and brands in the TAP Network. You cannot earn BAT in the Hooch app today, it may be possible in the future.

I am concerned that other utility tokens may be added as a redemption avenue, diluting TAP and Brave by extension. Is this a possibility?

TAP may work with other blockchain projects in the future; however, doing so does not in any way dilute or diminish the value provided to Brave users with BAT. The TAP Network and Brave are two very unique companies in the blockchain space, with unique opportunities linked to the scale and synergy of the Brave-TAP partnership. The TAP team is focused on executing and delivering a great experience for Brave users and continuing to enhance its offerings as Brave grows.