The Digital Philately Academy is a collaborative initiative created to help postal operators, regulators, and stakeholders navigate the rapidly evolving world of digital philately, espacially crypto-stamps, NFTs, and blockchain.
Established with the support of the UPU-WADP and industry partners, the Academy acts as a neutral and non-profit knowledge hub, providing tailored guidance, technical resources, and collective expertise.
Submit your inquiries via email to wadp.academy@upu.int.
An Expert Advisory Board, made up of UPU-WADP and external digital philately experts, will review and respond to queries from designated postal operators and other stakeholders.
In recent years, several postal operators have begun exploring crypto stamps and NFT-based philatelic products - hybrid creations that combine physical stamps with their digital counterparts, secured through blockchain technology.
While still relatively new, these initiatives reflect a broader shift: philately adapting to the digital era. Rather than replacing traditional collecting, they offer an alternative way to engage with postage stamps - one that blends innovation, interactivity, and digital ownership.
Some of these early ventures - including Austria’s pioneering issues and interactive series from other countries - have seen notable success, attracting tech-oriented collectors, younger audiences, and new players in the philatelic ecosystem.
The map below highlights the countries that have already taken this step. Adoption remains gradual, but the momentum is clear: a philatelic world that is experimenting, innovating, and redefining its role in a changing digital landscape.
Source: www.crypto-stamps.org
This map illustrates the designated operators of UPU member countries issuing crypto stamps, NFTs or digital stamps. The borders are stylized for illustrative purposes and may differ from official United Nations boundary representations.