INFINITE by SUKU Releases iOS App for Tagging Authentic Sneakers, Enabling Verification of Authenticity

SUKU announced the release of INFINITE - a new application for sneaker collectors and resellers that allows them to verify the authenticity of a shoe, activate an NFC-enabled tag, and attach it physically to the shoe. Unlike existing tagging solutions on the market, which are frequently removed after purchase, the INFINITE discrete NFC tag is designed to remain concealed inside the toe of the sneaker throughout the lifecycle of the product.

This tag functions as a physical-to-digital bridge for the product, linking it to the blockchain-based digital title. This enables a range of features, such as secure ownership transfers, authenticity record lookup, and reporting lost/stolen products.

The secondary sneaker market is highly active with a growing network of resellers operating anywhere from garages to sneaker conventions to online. According to Forbes, it isn’t uncommon to see the going market rate for certain pairs of highly-coveted sneakers rise 600% from already expensive retail prices.

Unfortunately, the high margins also attract a booming counterfeit sneaker industry, valued at over $450 billion USD. In fact, some sources estimate that the fake sneaker market could be larger than the market for real sneakers. Because sneakers are not serialized, both resellers and collectors are faced with uncertainty when buying shoes. INFINITE reduces authentication costs and creates a new source of revenue for authenticators, who can receive kickback fees on future ownership transfers for providing the original verification service.