In 2025, as the NFC market grows from USD 21.69 billion in 2024 to a projected USD 30.55 billion by 2029 at a 7.1% CAGR—driven by rising contactless interactions, smartphone adoption, and demand for product authentication—brands are turning to advanced solutions like ForgeStop’s connected products platform powered by NFC to protect goods and build consumer trust. This innovation transforms packaging into a secure, interactive gateway using three essential steps: TAG, TAP, and AUTHENTICATE—ultimately unlocking meaningful brand connections across industries like pharmaceuticals, luxury, and spirits.

Source: MarketsandMarkets 2025 NFC Market Report

‍
1. TAG — Seamless Application and Digital Twin Creation

The process begins at the source: production. ForgeStop's InfoTAP® NFC-enabled smart labels are applied during manufacturing to product packaging or components.

Using the BatchMaker™ system, each tag is securely activated during production with traceable product data, including:

• Batch and lot numbers
• Product metadata (origin, sustainability, compliance)
• A unique digital identity is stored in the cloud or in the blockchain

This creates a digital twin—a virtual replica of the physical product—aligning with regulatory trends like digital product passports and blockchain integration for enhanced brand protection, supporting traceability through NFC authentication. NFC tags lead market share in anti-counterfeiting applications across retail, pharma, and consumer goods.

‍
2. TAP — Effortless User Interaction

ForgeStop prioritizes simplicity: No apps required. Consumers tap their NFC-enabled smartphones—now standard in over 90% of global devices—to access secure digital content.

Tapping a product unlocks:

• Personalized experiences like care guides, videos, and AR
• Real-time promotions, location-based offers, and reordering
• Dynamic updates based on lifecycle stage, scan history, or Product safety advisories

With Asia Pacific driving NFC growth at 8.5% CAGR, TAP is not just a feature—it’s a global consumer expectation.

🔍 Quick FAQ: How secure is ForgeStop’s NFC?

Powered by AES-128 encryption and tamper alerts from SESIP-certified chips, it’s a secure and trusted solution in 2025.

‍

3. AUTHENTICATE — Multi-Layered Product Verification and Uncompromising Security

Every scan initiates a multi-step verification process using the embedded NFC chip. The system confirms product authenticity by checking:

• Encrypted data matched to the UID in the cloud
• Scan patterns like frequency and location to detect anomalies
• Tamper-evident features, including optional physical alerts and tag rules

ForgeStop’s smart label platform uses next-generation NFC chips—like NTAG 424 DNA and EM|linq—to help brands stay a step ahead of counterfeiters. These chips come with advanced security features that make every product tap unique, encrypted, and verifiable. Customers can instantly confirm authenticity with just their smartphones, while brands gain real-time insights and control over their products. It’s trusted protection for industries where safety and brand integrity matter most—like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and luxury goods. Learn more in our Anti‑Counterfeit Packaging Solutions blog post.

‍

Unlocking Brand Trust and Engagement: Beyond Authentication

With TAG, TAP, and AUTHENTICATE in place, ForgeStop opens the door to meaningful brand connections. The experience continues through ForgeStop’s connected product platform. Brands gain:

• Real-time analytics on tap behavior and scan distribution
• Loyalty programs and verified rewards
• Post-sale messaging (e.g., warranty, recall alerts, reorders)
• Brand storytelling, education, and sustainability messaging
• Supply chain visibility and scalable consumer engagement

ForgeStop’s platform is built to scale—enabling global supply chain visibility and deeper trust. Explore real-world use cases like NFC in the wine industry to see how brands are building loyalty and defending against counterfeits.

‍

Why ForgeStop’s Approach Stands Out in 2025

ForgeStop enables brands to go beyond basic NFC tags. By combining encoded smart labels, dynamic cloud content, and a real-time rules engine, ForgeStop delivers powerful authentication at scale—without requiring app downloads or external readers.

Want a comparison? See our foundational overview: How NFC Authentication Works in Real Life.

‍
🚀 Ready to Protect and Scale?

Book a demo with ForgeStop to explore how our connected products platform and smart label system can help you secure products and create trusted customer experiences.

‍