Jai Sahu
As interest in NFTs and Web3 begins to diminish, Starbucks has made the decision to shut down its Web3 loyalty program, Odyssey, which had been in beta since late 2022. According to the official FAQ, the beta phase of Odyssey is set to conclude on March 31, 2024. Users are urged to wrap up any ongoing activities, known as Journeys, by March 25. Additionally, the Starbucks Odyssey Discord server will cease operations on March 18.
The Odyssey program, built on the Polygon blockchain, enables users to earn NFTs called Journey Stamps by participating in various games and activities. These stamps offer exclusive benefits, and users also have the option to purchase limited edition NFTs for additional perks. Despite the closure of Odyssey, Starbucks has announced that the Odyssey marketplace will transition to the Nifty NFT marketplace. Here, users can continue to buy, sell, and transfer their Odyssey stamps. However, Starbucks has hinted at the possibility of a future revival of the program, stating, “While the Starbucks Odyssey Beta program is ending, we are excited for you to see what comes next and are grateful for your consistent engagement and feedback.”
The initiative was spearheaded by former Starbucks chief digital officer Adam Brotman through his company Forum3. Brotman, along with his co-founder Andy Sacks, has recently shifted their focus from Web3 to generative AI. Their new tagline reflects this transition: “Where AI Meets Digital Transformation.”
, the lead of the Odyssey program and co-author of “The Everything Token,” disclosed to TechCrunch that the program boasted over 58,000 active participants. Many participants achieved the highest tier of the five-tiered system by acquiring NFTs on secondary marketplaces.