Announcement ECO Coin, the first cryptocurrency backed by trees

Next Nature Network introduces ECO Coin on April 20 at Circl

Ecological value is not well represented in our current economy. When you cut down a tree and sell the wood, you make money. When you plant a tree, you also create value, but you don’t earn anything from it. Next Nature Network is introducing the ECO Coin on April 20, the world’s first crypto currency that rewards people for sustainable actions. Next Nature Network will present the ECO Coin to the public on Friday, April 20 at 5 p.m. at the circular pavilion Circl in Amsterdam.

The ECO Coin is a cryptocurrency backed by trees that ensures that sustainability is no longer a moral obligation, but an economic decision. The goal of the ECO Coin is to connect economics and ecology by making ecological value explicit in economic terms. From April 22 the international Earth Day, the first ECOs will be available.

How does the ECO Coin work?
Like other cryptocurrencies, the ECO Coin runs on blockchain technology. Unlike Bitcoin – an entirely digital speculative currency that people buy with the prospect of profiting financially from it – the ECO Coin is backed by ecological assets. Each ECO is backed by one tree. This will create a new gold standard and ties all credits directly to the amount of trees in circulation.

ECO Coins can be received in three ways: by performing sustainable actions, by donating trees or by purchasing ECOs with a regular currency. ECOs are redeemable for ecological experiences, goods and services. For example, you will soon be able to pay for an organic beer with your ECOs or get a discount on your green energy bill. According to Next Nature Network, this will lead to an alternative value system in which economy and ecology are better balanced.

Earning ECOs on Earth Day
On April 22, International Earth Day, the first ECOs can be earned by telling people on Twitter what sustainable action you took to do so. For example, eating a vegetarian lunch, biking to work instead of going by car or using a reusable cup for coffee. You can share your response using #ecocoin and will receive the first ECO Coin in a digital wallet for doing so. For more information on ECO Coin’s vision, visit www.ecocoin.com and download the white paper (from April 20).

Public launch
Interested parties are welcome to attend a sneak preview of the ECO Coin whitepaper on April 20 at 5 pm. This informal afternoon will cover the underlying blockchain technology, price discovery, and the philosophy behind the system. Admission to the event is free for all interested parties. Following the event, there will be a Friday afternoon drink. More information about Circl and the address can be found at www.circl.nl.

Speakers: Koert van Mensvoort, founder and creative director Next Nature Network – Lewis Just, ECO Coin project leader – Milan Meyberg, revolution manager DGTL festival and member of Nieuw Amsterdam Council.