A social commerce technology platform has launched a new wallet that enables consumers to buy real-life products from more than 30,000 points of sale globally.

Jet8 says its new wallet is a “connect and transact hub,” giving its community a safe way to store their tokens, earn rewards and send funds to their friends. According to the fintech company, one of the wallet’s most distinctive features gives users the ability to purchase mobile data in any country worldwide — giving them instant access to mobile network connectivity wherever they are.

A large network of retailers already accepts the Jet8 Wallet, including big brands such as 7-Eleven in the Philippines, Circle K in Vietnam and other large retailers in Indonesia, India and South Africa.

The founder of Jet8, Victor Zabrockis, told Cointelegraph:

“Our mission is to connect thousands of mobile-first communities with a one-stop shop financial system for users, brands, retailers and influencers. [...] It does not matter if one is a well-versed crypto lover or just an average mobile user curious about blockchain, we’ve built the JET8 Wallet with everyone in mind.”

Along with top-ups for mobile data, the company says it offers its users a plethora of everyday goods — and as an example, Jet8 illustrates how token-holders can benefit from vouchers for everything from lemonade to a bar of soap.

“Jet8’s Crypto Wallet is making the use of blockchain technology more inclusive to the base of the pyramid for everyday use thus allowing consumers to buy goods like groceries and airtime,” the team says.

Another point of difference offered by the wallet comes through real-life collectibles, as wallet users have the opportunity to buy distinct pieces of art. One example on the Jet8 website is a portrait of former United States President Barack Obama by the artist Jorge Rodriguez Garcia, with free delivery worldwide.

The team says that the first 100,000 wallets activated will receive an airdrop of 888 J8T tokens — the platform’s native currency. Token-holders will be able to purchase products in the Jet8 Shop using their tokens sometime in the second quarter of 2019, the company added.

Learn more about the Jet8 platform here

“Seamless, pleasant experience”

Jet8 emphasizes that its users don’t have to worry about storing private keys, adding that they have the opportunity to receive JetPoints — a “powerful social currency.”

The company says one of its main goals has been to “democratize influence,” and this has been achieved by enabling its community to use geo-stickers and geo-frames to show their friends and followers which brands they have been engaging with in real time. According to Jet8, this social commerce technology is mutually beneficial. While brands benefit from engagement up to 10 times higher than a conventional ad for mobile platforms, users can be rewarded with JetPoints simply by including a filter for everyday brands, such as Doritos and Coca-Cola. These points can then be redeemed for products online and over the counter.

The team notes that Jet8’s social commerce platform was first successfully introduced by the Fotoku APP in Southeast Asia, where this APP had a massive adoption from users in Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam.

On March 19, the Jet8 Foundation announced a partnership with cricketing legend AB de Villiers and the launch of its social media app “ABDCam” to raise funds for youth in India and South Africa. Fans and supporters all around the world will be able to use this app to customize photos and videos with geo-stickers and geo-frames, and earn JetPoints in exchange for their social influence throughout social media platforms.

Another social commerce concept championed by Jet8 is social sampling, which aims to open up giveaways to the masses while giving companies a more efficient way of monitoring how consumers are responding to new products.

The team notes that user data ownership and privacy stands at the center of the Jet8 social commerce platform. Users are also empowered because they can decide which data they are willing to share with advertisers in exchange for a reward. For businesses, this increases the likelihood that the marketing data they’re receiving will be accurate.

According to the company, more than 50 blue-chip companies are already making transactions using its social currency — achieving a combined reach of more than 400 million social accounts last year. The global brands utilizing its offering include Nestle, Coca-Cola, Pepsi and McDonald’s.

Jet8 announced the launch of the Soccer Laduma APP in May, where soccer fans are able to redeem soccer publications Kick-Off and Soccer Laduma when they create branded content and audience engagement on social media.

Jet8 was founded in 2015. Explaining its philosophy, the company says: “Through tokenized social commerce apps, everyday users become content creators, publishers and influencers. This is a world where anyone can be rewarded for the data they share, and every like, comment or share they create on these apps.”

Learn more about Jet8