Brandon Fletcher
Gudtrip is an innovative cannabis vape pen developed by Puffpaw, a blockchain hardware manufacturer. This unique device allows consumers to earn bitcoin while enjoying their cannabis experience. Each Gudtrip vape pen comes with a bitcoin value of $2-3, which users can easily redeem through a QR code or NFC connection via the Gudtrip mobile app. Although Gudtrip has faced criticism for gamifying the act of smoking marijuana, the company asserts that there is no direct reward for each puff. They have also adjusted their website language that previously stated, “Every hit earns crypto.”
Currently, Gudtrip vape pens are exclusively available in California, where recreational cannabis use is legal. To activate the pen, buyers simply scan a QR code or tap using NFC to connect to the Gudtrip app. This process unlocks the bitcoin reward as an upfront loyalty incentive. The app tracks usage in terms of puff-seconds, presenting this data as a personal awareness feature similar to a fitness tracker. Users can log in daily to build streaks that accumulate non-monetary virtual points. Gudtrip clarifies that these points are for internal tracking only and cannot be converted to cash, products, or any other tangible value. Puffpaw envisions Gudtrip as a community-driven platform that integrates cannabis, Bitcoin, and artificial intelligence.
Smoke weed and earn @Bitcoin pic.twitter.com/sj8jHFETQy
— Gudtrip (@Gudtrip) October 24, 2025
Gudtrip’s decision to use bitcoin for their rewards program distinguishes them from many businesses that have launched their own cryptocurrencies. Numerous marketing strategies around crypto rewards have previously been exposed as unsustainable schemes, particularly in the cannabis sector. A notable example is Potcoin, which gained notoriety when Dennis Rodman visited North Korea on behalf of the marijuana-themed cryptocurrency. This publicity caused Potcoin’s value to surge nearly 97% shortly after Rodman’s arrival in Pyongyang on June 13, 2017, boosting its market capitalization to nearly $40 million. after reaching an all-time high of approximately $0.51 in late 2017, Potcoin has since plummeted by over 99%, currently trading at around $0.0008.
Despite this, reports from DL News have revealed that Puffpaw once indicated plans to launch a token in a now-deleted post on X. many crypto-related reward systems eventually convert points into tokens with actual monetary worth. Earlier reports from Protos also highlighted that Gudtrip had mentioned rewards would be distributed via a token called VAPE.
Gudtrip has encountered criticism for the perceived gamification of vaping—a characterization the company disputes. Health experts raised concerns to DL News after examining Gudtrip’s marketing strategies. Joshua Gowin, an associate professor specializing in frequent cannabis use, expressed that gamifying cannabis consumption appears to aim at habit formation. Janna Cousijn, who heads the Neuroscience of Addiction Lab at Erasmus University Rotterdam, labeled it a potentially dangerous and unethical device that could encourage addiction. Other professionals warned that incentives linked to frequent usage might disrupt health-related decision-making and increase risks such as anxiety, memory impairment, and respiratory issues.
Today we received a media request from @dlnews @DefiLlama regarding ethical concerns raised about @Gudtrip.
To set the record straight, we’re publishing our response openly – for our users, and for the public.
Hi @dlnews team,
Thank you for reaching out and for offering…
— Reffo (@web2reffo) April 30, 2026
In response, Gudtrip founder Reffo Tse addressed the media on X to clarify what he deemed factual inaccuracies in the reporting. Tse stated that the product tracks puff-seconds purely for user awareness, clarifying that there are no financial incentives linked to consumption. He stressed that the bitcoin loyalty reward is granted upfront to all customers and is independent of how much or how often they use the product. Tse stated, “We believe that an adult in a legal market who has visibility into their own consumption is better positioned to avoid problematic use than one who does not.”
Concerns surrounding the gamification of various aspects of life are rising, particularly as cryptocurrency plays a significant role in transforming experiences into a gambling-like environment. A recent case in point is Tuyo, a DeFi-enabled Visa debit card that operates on cryptocurrency and features a “buy now, pay maybe” option that randomly waives fees on select purchases using a hidden algorithm. Critics argue that such systems are designed to encourage addictive behavior, exploiting the same psychological triggers found in gambling venues and loot boxes.
Prediction markets are under similar scrutiny. Platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket allow users to bet on real-world events, including elections. reports indicate that campaign staffers have exploited non-public polling data for profitable trades before the information was made public. A U.S. soldier is facing federal charges related to prediction market bets concerning the capture of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. These platforms have suspended users suspected of insider trading and are increasingly collaborating with law enforcement, yet regulators continue to highlight the inherent imbalances favoring those with inside knowledge.
Gudtrip also facilitates the transfer of earned bitcoin to more speculative, AI-driven investment options like decentralized finance (DeFi) and prediction markets. The website states, “Users can choose to allocate eligible rewards into open-source AI agent tools that explore opportunities across DeFi (decentralized finance), Gudtrip-native incentives, prediction markets, and selected real-world asset (RWA) strategies.”
Daniel Mercer
