EtherMail

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What is EtherMail?

EtherMail is a Web3-based email communication service that uses blockchain technology to facilitate anonymous, peer-to-peer (P2P) communication among users.

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As the adoption of blockchain technology gains momentum, the need for seamless communication within the Web3 landscape becomes even more important.

EtherMail fills this void by offering users the convenience of traditional Web2 email platforms while tackling common issues such as spam, unwanted intrusion by legacy email providers, and centralized controls.

With EtherMail, users have complete control over their inboxes, allowing them to dictate how their emails are managed and preserving full sovereignty of their contents.

Communications are encrypted and transferred from wallet to wallet, making it exceedingly challenging for anyone, including EtherMail, to access or decipher the content.

To access this service, users must link a cryptocurrency wallet. This way, communications are only done on a wallet-to-wallet basis, making it an entirely private service.

Why Was EtherMail Created?

Emails are a fundamental component of the modern era, serving as a vital means of communication in education, business, and even matters of national importance.

According to a Zippia report, 347.3 billion emails have been sent daily so far in 2023, and these communications largely rely on established service providers such as Gmail, Thunderbird, and numerous others.

However, these traditional email services are far from flawless, grappling with several issues.

  • Firstly, users are always inundated with unwanted spam emails and easily fall prey to phishing attacks from cybercriminals.
  • Additionally, traditional emails lack encryption and anonymity, making it possible for service providers to scan the contents and profit by selling derived data to advertising companies. This leaves users besieged by unwanted emails and their personal information monetized.
  • Even more concerning is that these Web2 platforms are not suited for trustless communication between blockchain-based applications and users. This is why EtherMail was created.

Key Features of EtherMail

Launched in 2022, EtherMail describes itself as the first Web3 email solution and has its home on the Ethereum blockchain. This integration with the leading smart contract network is not just symbolic; it’s an integral part of the service’s identity.

Besides providing anonymity and encrypted wallet-to-wallet communication, EtherMail offers a host of other compelling functionalities.

Read-to-Earn

This is a key takeaway of the blockchain-driven economy where users are rewarded for participating in activities. On EtherMail, users are paid to read company emails via the subscriptions feature.

This functionality allows users to opt-in on email aggregations from companies. In return, they are paid EtherMail’s native token, EMT, for receiving and reading those emails.

Synced With the Blockchain

EtherMail ensures airtight security and transparency by recording incoming and outgoing emails on the blockchain, making them tamper-proof once deployed.

Moreover, the blockchain automatically synchronizes all emails for Web3 users in real-time, ensuring they stay fully informed about the decentralized applications (dApps) or services they engage with.

Paywall

The Paywall operates as a necessary but add-on service to the subscription functionality. It serves as a protective layer for filtering spam mail from companies.

With this, users can customize their mailing preferences and ensure only rich, relevant emails hit their inbox. Beyond its filtering function, the Paywall also serves as an incentive tool for users to engage with emails from advertising companies.

This grants users complete control over the content entering their Web3 mailbox and rewards them for reading these messages.

Swift Sign-Up Process

As expected in the Web3 space, every email activity carried out on EtherMail is directly connected to a user’s crypto wallet. Users only need to connect a cryptocurrency wallet to get started.

Once done, they can go through emails using the same crypto wallet that stores their digital assets. This has the added advantage of providing relevant news regarding their stored assets, making it easy to receive real-time information for more constructive decision-making.

Works With Regular Email Providers

Despite its Web3, EtherMail integrates with conventional Web2 email service providers. The platform enables users to connect their existing Gmail, Safari, and Thunderbird accounts to its system.

This offers a sense of familiarity for regular email users while introducing a unique dimension for those exploring the Web3 landscape.

EMC and EMT Tokens

At the core of the EtherMail protocol are the EMC and EMT assets. Both digital assets are reward systems for new and existing users who pivot to the EtherMail service and read their emails.

However, the EMC token is a beta version of EMT. While EMT is still in the development phase, it is poised to become the primary payment asset within the EtherMail ecosystem.

As part of this transition, all EMC holdings in EtherMail users’ wallets will be directly converted into the EMT token.

To earn EMC, EtherMail users must do the following:

  • Subscribe to read certain emails on EtherMail.
  • Link a crypto wallet to the platform.
  • Add a secondary email address.
  • Complete the IMAP connection via key retrieval.
  • Invite friends and family to join the EtherMail service.

EtherMail for Web3 Companies

While EtherMail is committed to enhancing email services for Web3 users by facilitating permissionless and encrypted communication, it also offers distinctive advantages tailored to the needs of Web3 companies.

The EtherMail service offers businesses:

Auto-Pilot Contact List

This is where users are automatically added to their mailing box based on on-chain activity. This way, Web3 dApps can significantly boost their clientele base without trying to directly persuade.

Once a user interacts with a particular blockchain network, they are automatically added to the protocol’s contact list for further processing.

Web3 Segmentation

EtherMail offers 30+ segmentation filters, allowing businesses to personalize their communications with different groups. This ensures that relevant information reaches the intended recipients without confusion or mixup.

Campaign Builder

EtherMail offers a versatile ‘campaign builder’ service, which enables companies to create personalized email campaigns tailored to their specific audience.

Affiliate Program

Lastly, EtherMail incorporates an in-built affiliate system, empowering businesses to harness the referral potential within their community. This reduces marketing expenses for companies and transfers this role to community members, who are, in turn, rewarded directly for their efforts.

The Bottom Line

EtherMail is reimagining how email services should function for the rapidly growing Web3 landscape. Offering anonymity, encryption, and sovereignty, the email provider offers permissionless wallet-to-wallet communication for Web3 users.

The service addresses the pressing concerns related to phishing attacks, spam emails, and privacy vulnerabilities associated with traditional email providers. EtherMail is what decentralized services will bring to the fore in the coming years.

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Jimmy Aki
Crypto and Blockchain Writer
Jimmy Aki
Crypto and Blockchain Writer

A graduate of the University of Virginia, Jimmy has previously worked for BeInCrypto, Bitcoin Magazine, Decrypt, Cryptonews, and other major publications. In addition to writing for Techopedia, Jimmy is also an economist, accountant, and blockchain trainer with hands-on experience in the financial industry.