The German science and technology company Merck has announced the beta release of its M-Trust platform, designed to address challenges related to product authenticity, traceability, and the fight against counterfeit goods.
The system enables the creation of digital twins for physical products, a concept intended to significantly complicate the circulation of counterfeit items. At the core of this technology lies the use of crypto-anchors—unique digital identifiers that link physical objects to their blockchain records. These anchors are designed to verify authenticity and streamline the tracking of goods throughout every stage of the supply chain.
The platform aims to automate quality control processes, which is expected to reduce error rates in machine-to-machine interactions. Furthermore, it records and stores object data, enabling the inclusion of product authentication functionality within the system.
Additionally, the platform incorporates smart contracts—immutable digital agreements on the blockchain—that automate processes and verify data. While M-Trust is tailored for corporate use, it is currently available only in a testing phase. A consumer-oriented version has not yet been announced.
