Burger King launches the Whoppercoin in Russia

Once they have amassed 1,700 Whoppercoins, Russians will be able to buy a Whopper burger with the virtual cash. Image: Burger King, Twitter

INTERNATIONAL -- Fast-food chain Burger King has launched its own Whoppercoin crypto-currency in Russia, according to media reports.

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The group – part of Canadian-listed Restaurant Brands International Inc (CA:QSR) – said it will enable customers to claim one coin for every rouble they spend on its Whopper burger, the BBC reported.

Once they have amassed 1,700 Whoppercoins, Russians will be able to buy a Whopper burger with the virtual cash.

The company said it would release Apple and Android apps next month so people could save, share and trade their wallet full of whoppercoins.

The BBC report said Burger King has partnered with crypto-cash start-up Waves to create and run the scheme.

The tech company will run the blockchain ledger for the coin to keep track of who has coins and what has been done with them.

Customers will be able to claim their coins by scanning a receipt with a smartphone.

In a statement, Waves said that it had already generated 1bn Whoppercoins to use in the loyalty scheme.

SOURCE Jon Hopkins, Proactive Investors