Project Overview
Our proprietary authentication system combines dual-tag NFC verification with immutable blockchain records to create an impenetrable defense against wine and spirits counterfeiting.
POWERED BY DNXT LABS
Objectives
Authenticate premium spirits and wine
Protect against counterfeiting
Enhance consumer trust
Technologies
NFC Chips
Blockchain
AI-based Analysis
User Benefits
Instant Verification
Trust & Engagement
Education & Privacy
Analysis & Planning
User Experience
We define the ideal user journey to ensure intuitive navigation. Key interactions are mapped from NFC scanning to real-time data visualization, providing a smooth and secure experience.
Technical Architecture
We design the full system architecture, including secure databases, API endpoints, and data flow between AI modules, blockchain records, and users. Everything is built for scalability and reliability.
Visual Design
We develop high-fidelity wireframes and interactive prototypes for both desktop and mobile. The design aligns with premium market expectations, ensuring elegance and usability across devices.
Tamper-Proof NFC Integration
Ensuring product integrity with dual-chip technology and secure placement.
Encrypted NFC ID Chips
Each bottle includes two NFC chips (one on the cork and one on the label), each containing an encrypted identifier. These IDs act as private keys, unique to every product.
Tamper-Evident Tag Placement
Tags are embedded in positions that make removal or substitution highly detectable. This physical setup complements the digital verification process.
Zero-Knowledge Proof Authentication
ZKPs allow for verifying that the encrypted ID matches blockchain records without revealing the ID itself. This is ideal for protecting private keys while proving ownership/authenticity.
Tag Visualization & Testing
We deliver technical mockups and physical validation of chip placement, optimizing for usability, performance, and protection against fraud attempts.
Dual-Chip System Security
One innovative design is the use of two NFC tags on a single bottle – for example, one embedded in the cork or capsule and another on the exterior label. The rationale for a dual-chip system is to thwart more sophisticated attacks and provide multiple checkpoints of authenticity.
The tag on the cork (or under the capsule) is positioned such that it will be destroyed or disabled upon uncorking the bottle. The second tag on the label remains with the bottle even after opening, providing a lasting identifier for the bottle's identity.
Technical Implementation
NFC tags used for authentication are not the simplistic read-only stickers of the past; they incorporate advanced security features. For instance, NTAG® 413 DNA and NTAG 424 DNA TagTamper are designed for brand protection, featuring cryptographic capabilities (such as AES challenge-response and unique URL generation) and tamper-detecting circuitry.
These chips can generate a dynamic authentication code each time they are scanned, which is verified by an online service to ensure the tag is genuine and not cloned. Tags like the NTAG 213 TT (Tag Tamper) include a fragile conductive loop that can be embedded into a bottle's seal; if the seal is broken, the loop is severed and the tag permanently reports a "tampered" state in subsequent scans.
Database & Backend Development
Secure Backend Infrastructure
We build a robust backend system designed for scalability, security, and high performance—ensuring sensitive data remains protected and accessible.
Smart Data Storage
Chemical analysis results, product metadata, images, and user interactions are securely stored in structured formats optimized for fast retrieval and auditability.
API Integrations
Real-time connectivity with AI-powered analysis tools and blockchain services enables seamless data verification and automated validations.
GDPR Compliance
The system ensures full alignment with GDPR standards—covering user consent, data processing transparency, and secure data lifecycle management.
Frontend UX/UI Development
Designing a seamless and premium digital experience for every user.
Responsive & User-Friendly Interface
A fully responsive design ensures accessibility and consistency across all devices, from mobile to desktop.
Core Functionalities
Includes product authenticity verification, real-time display of chemical analysis results, and intuitive user account management.
Educational Resource Hub
Integrates consumer-facing content to help users understand authenticity, traceability, and how the system works.
Premium Visual Design
User interface is tailored to the aesthetics and expectations of the high-end spirits market, featuring elegant typography, clean layouts, and minimalistic design elements.
Implementation & Testing
End-to-end validation for a secure and high-performing platform.
Integration
Backend and frontend components are fully integrated with rigorous testing procedures.
Testing
Key tests include security, performance, and user acceptance to ensure system integrity.
Improvements
Feedback-driven improvements ensure a stable launch and ongoing system optimization.
Implementation Process
Implementing an NFC-based authentication system for wine or spirits bottles requires an interdisciplinary approach, combining packaging design, hardware integration, and software backend development. The fundamental concept is to attach at least one NFC tag to each bottle in a manner that is inseparable from the product's physical integrity, so any attempt to remove or replace the contents will be evident from the tag's status.
Technology Stack
Backend
- Python
- Flask
- SQLAlchemy
- Crypto libraries
NFC
- PyScard
- ACS ACR122U SDK
- Web NFC API
- MIFARE Classic 1K
Blockchain
- Ethereum
- Solidity
- Web3.py
- Sepolia Testnet
User Benefits
Instant Verification
Consumers can instantly verify product authenticity by scanning the bottle — no apps or complex steps required.
Trust & Engagement
Clear, secure verification builds brand credibility and encourages customer loyalty in premium markets.
Education & Privacy
Users access educational content while their data remains protected under strict privacy and security standards.
Tag Placement Options
Strategic Tag Positioning
Under-Capsule Tags
Placing the NFC in the foil or plastic capsule that covers the cork is common. If one tries to remove the capsule (to extract the cork), the antenna is broken and the chip becomes unreadable.
Labels with Tamper Strips
A long tamper-evident NFC tag can bridge between the bottle neck (or cap) and the glass bottle body. Any attempt to remove the cap will tear the tag, and the NFC chip will register the breakage.
Dual-Mode Tags
WISeKey's patented "dual-mode" smart bottle tag exemplifies this concept: a device inside the bottle neck is physically damaged by a corkscrew or by capsule removal, preventing reuse, while another part of the tag provides the wireless identity when intact.