DAIKO Unleashes Tokenized Pet Care

An innovative startup from Ireland is aiming to reimagine the traditional dog walk by merging blockchain technology with smart hardware. DAIKO, an emerging company in the pet-tech industry, is building a digital ecosystem that transforms routine pet care into a gamified, rewarding experience. By connecting everyday dog-walking responsibilities with tokenized incentives, the company seeks to add a layer of engagement and accountability to pet ownership.

At the core of DAIKO’s solution is a proprietary smart leash, which incorporates RFID transponder technology and syncs with a mobile application. The app, currently in beta and preparing for launch on both iOS and Android platforms, will allow dog owners to monitor and record walking data, such as the duration and distance of each outing and the frequency of waste collection. These activities will be translated into DAIKO tokens, a utility token that users can redeem within a closed-loop ecosystem for items such as pet gear, in-app upgrades, or tangible rewards.

A key feature of the leash is the “DooPod,” a built-in container designed to collect pet waste with a focus on both utility and visual appeal. Scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of 2025, this smart leash has already attracted attention through early promotional efforts, with over 10,000 users reportedly signing up in anticipation of its launch.

The founder of DAIKO, David Byrne, outlined the company’s broader mission, stating that the objective is to make pet care more enjoyable for owners while turning routine activities into rewarding experiences. He emphasized that by offering token-based incentives, the platform can turn everyday responsibilities into small achievements that reinforce positive behavior.

Beyond its physical products, DAIKO is also set to introduce a digital layer through Virtual Pets, which serve as on-chain representations of users’ real dogs. These avatars will evolve and change based on the owner’s actual pet care routines, such as walking, grooming, or veterinary visits. This development adds a behavioral element to DAIKO’s gamified model, encouraging consistent engagement with pet care responsibilities.

The platform draws comparisons to classic digital games and modern fitness trackers, but with a blockchain-based twist. Instead of collecting digital badges or points, users strengthen their bond with their pets while simultaneously earning tokenized rewards.

DAIKO’s financial model adopts a circular economy approach. The company has stated its intention to allocate 20% of net profits from leash sales toward buying back DAIKO tokens. These tokens will then be redistributed to users via the rewards pool, thereby enhancing liquidity and reinforcing the connection between company revenue and community engagement.

With the global pet care market expected to exceed $250 billion and over 500 million cryptocurrency users globally—many of whom are pet owners—DAIKO appears to be targeting a well-aligned demographic at the intersection of wellness, gamification, and decentralized finance.

According to the founder, encouraging good pet care habits through gamification is central to the company’s vision. The platform aims to gently guide users toward improved behavior, such as more frequent walks or vet appointments, rewarding them for active participation.

DAIKO’s approach reflects a larger trend in consumer technology, where real-world behavior is incentivized through blockchain-based rewards. By integrating Web3 capabilities with responsible pet ownership, the startup is positioning itself as a forward-looking player in both the pet care and decentralized tech spaces.