Papier 3.0 — Reinventing Publishing Through the NFT Book

Papier 3.0, is redefining the standards of Francophone publishing with its NFT Book project, a technology that transforms digital books into ownable, resellable, and enriched assets using blockchain. Through a tripartite approach (paper, eBook, NFT Book), this publishing house bridges tradition and innovation. The NFT Book offers secure content access, sales traceability, a new revenue model for authors, and an enhanced reading experience for readers. BE Blockchain was entrusted with developing and deploying the NFT marketplace tailored to these needs.

Context

Founded in 2023, Papier 3.0 emerged from the collaboration between two notable figures of the Belgian publishing scene: Louis Jourdan Leclercq and Alain Van Gelderen. In the face of shrinking margins and an ongoing environmental and economic crisis, the team identified blockchain as a disruptive opportunity. Their goal: to offer a sustainable, seamless, decentralized, and economically viable alternative to traditional publishing.

Industry Challenges

• Limited Returns in Traditional Publishing
  Revenue flows are slow (authors can wait up to 18 months for payment), and margins are squeezed by numerous intermediaries.

• eBooks Cannot Be Resold
  Current eBooks are closed systems. Readers cannot resell them, unlike the model enabled by NFTs.

• Inefficient and Wasteful Distribution
  30–40% of printed books are pulped. The logistics involved in print publishing strain both the environment and the financial model.

• Flat and Unengaging Digital Experience
  eBooks today are static files, offering little emotional engagement or functional value to readers.

• Untapped Market
  No Francophone publisher has yet launched a fully realized NFT Book solution, despite strong interest from major global publishers.

How Blockchain Powers the NFT Book

• NFT with Smart Contract
  Secure access to a folder containing the eBook plus enriched content (videos, interviews, bonus material). Resale enabled, with automated royalty payments to the author and publisher.

• Token-Gated Streaming
  The eBook is hosted on a secure server and can only be decrypted by the NFT holder.

• Instant Payments
  Smart contracts instantly distribute royalties between authors and publishers at each transaction.

• Marketplace with Integrated Reader
  The app allows users to read, buy, resell, gift, and store books, with a mobile-first UX.

• Limited Editions & Collectibles
  NFT Books can be published in rare series to encourage collecting and increase value.

Key Benefits & Impacts

✔ Real-Time Author Payments
No more 18-month delays, authors are paid instantly with every sale.

✔ Free Resale by Readers
NFT Books can be resold like physical books, enabling a circular economy in digital publishing.

✔ Full Sales Traceability
All transactions are recorded on-chain, providing real-time insights and transparency.

✔ Eco-Friendly Model
Reduced waste, transportation, and paper usage, a climate-positive innovation.

✔ OEM-Friendly Technology
Available in white-label format for major publishers.

Conclusion

With BE Blockchain, Papier 3.0 is building the publishing model of tomorrow. Combining technology, sustainability, and a virtuous business model, the NFT Book is more than a format,  it’s a revolution for readers, authors, and publishers alike.

“BE Blockchain helped us fast-track our digital transformation by structuring the NFT Book project from the ground up. Their expertise in smart contracts and UX was crucial in making our vision tangible and operational.”
— Louis Jourdan Leclercq, Co-founder, Papier 3.0

👉 Learn more at papier3.be or contact us to explore how Web3 can transform your sector. Contact-us