Shopify has made a significant move in the world of blockchain commerce with its latest set of tools aimed at enhancing the user experience of web3-focused stores on its platform. This development comes after the company announced the launch of its improved crypto wallet and “tokengating” application programming interface (API) facilities on February 9th.

Only a limited number of merchants have had access to the tokengating tools since June 2022 when they were put in beta access mode. Now, however, Shopify merchants can use the tokengating tools to determine which token holders have access to exclusive products, NFT drops, and benefits, and which do not. This feature is being marketed as an effortless way for NFT merchants to reward certain customers or make certain products exclusive.

In addition to the tokengating tools, Shopify has also adopted the Sign-In with Ethereum (SIWE) protocol, created by the Ethereum Name Service (ENS) and the Ethereum Foundation. The protocol enables users to sign in to Ethereum accounts and ENS domains securely while verifying their identities without revealing sensitive information such as names, phone numbers, and addresses.

Users will be able to link their Ethereum addresses through intermediaries like Coinbase, Fortmatic, WalletConnect, Portis, and Torus by clicking the “sign-in with Ethereum” button once a retailer has added the SIWE feature to the Shopify wallet connect. The SIWE message statement can also be customized with the Generator prop, allowing for added personalization for retailers.

Shopify has faced criticism in the past for its handling of user information, which was a catalyst for a lawsuit by a group of unhappy users in April 2022. The recent adoption of the SIWE protocol is seen as a positive step forward in addressing these concerns.

In conclusion, the latest developments from Shopify demonstrate the company’s commitment to improving the blockchain commerce experience for its merchants and users.