Indian telecom giant Jio Platforms, owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has launched a new token called JioCoin on the Polygon blockchain network. On Jan. 16, users noticed that JioCoin was integrated into Jio’s proprietary browser, JioSphere. The token functions as a reward for users who browse the internet using JioSphere. However, Jio has not officially announced the token’s broader utility or plans.
Reliance Jio has launched Jiocoins on Polygon. Source: XThis launch follows Jio’s partnership with Polygon Labs to enhance its services using blockchain and Web3 technologies. Reliance Jio is one of India’s largest mobile operators, with over 450 million users.
An example of the JioCoin wallet interface on the JioSphere browser. Source: JioSphere.Is There Any Use Cases Of JioCoin For Now?
Kashif Raza, CEO of Bitinning, shared his thoughts on the potential of JioCoin. He suggested that the token could become a medium of exchange within Jio’s vast ecosystem, which includes thousands of companies. Raza speculated that users might eventually redeem JioCoins for services like mobile recharges or purchases at Reliance gas stations. He described JioCoins as having the potential to create one of the world’s largest reward programs.
At present, users can not transfer or redeem JioCoins , but they can see their presence on the JioSphere platform.
Potential Use Cases or Marketing Gimmick?
The launch of JioCoin has not been without controversy. Critics have raised concerns about its transparency and technical foundations. Sunil Aggarwal, author of Bitcoin Magnet, posed several questions about the token’s structure. He asked whether the token has a block explorer to verify transactions, whether its smart contracts are publicly verified on the Polygon network, and whether details such as its maximum supply and circulating supply are available. Additionally, he questioned why JioCoin is not listed on prominent crypto price trackers like CoinMarketCap.
Aggarwal described JioCoin as “an experimental project” unless these questions are answered.
Some users compared JioCoin to the Basic Attention Token (BAT) used in the Brave browser. Others called it a marketing strategy. Indian crypto influencer Aditya Singh speculated that JioCoin might remain a non-tradable reward token, citing India’s unclear crypto regulations and tax laws.
Here Is What Polygon’s Representative Says
Aishwary Gupta, Polygon’s global head of payments, defended the initiative. He emphasized that this project validates public blockchains and aligns with Polygon’s vision to position India as a leader in innovation and technology.
Gupta added that the focus is on ensuring that blockchain use cases offer real utility to users over the next year.
JioCoin’s launch comes amid India’s stringent crypto regulations. Additionally, the government imposes a 30% tax on crypto gains and a 1% tax deduction at the source, making crypto investments difficult for many Indians. Despite these hurdles, Jio’s move into blockchain is significant.
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