German Intelligence Agency Taps NFTs

On Jun 25, 2023

The German foreign intelligence agency, BND, has launched a novel new campaign to locate cyber talent for its blockchain division. The government organization has turned to a pack of 999 hound-themed NFTs laden with a cryptic, on-chain scavenger hunt.

Taking inspiration from the real-life canines operating within the agency, the ‘Dogs of BND’ collection features a series of 2D cartoon pooches adorned with ‘secret service’ style traits. In order to acquire one of the mysterious NFTs, participants were challenged to decipher a character string shared on Instagram, then track it to the OpenSea account on which the collection resides. Upon discovering the location, budding investigators could purchase an NFT for the symbolic price of 0.000001 ETH ($0.0019), plus gas.

Since the campaign hit the headlines, 987 hounds have been accounted for, with the BND holding back the remaining 12 for a rather more taxing challenge further down the line. As of writing, the floor price has risen to a modest 0.052 ETH, or 99 USD.

Governments Continue to Flaunt the Blockchain

This is not the first time a government has attempted to use NFTs for its own personal benefit. The UK famously announced an NFT in collaboration with the Royal Mint at the height of the technology’s popularity, only to quietly bin the idea when the market cooled. Furthermore, the spectacular country of Romania previously revealed plans to store its government documents as NFTs.

What’s more, continuing on the blockchain theme, the fabled domain of ‘Norway’ has launched a thrill-a-minute tax office in Decentraland, while the tiny island nation of Barbados promised an embassy that never materialized.

Want more? Connect with NFT Plazas

Join the Weekly Newsletter
Join our Discord
Follow us on Twitter
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram

*All investment/financial opinions expressed by NFT Plazas are from the personal research and experience of our site moderators and are intended as educational material only. Individuals are required to fully research any product prior to making any kind of investment.