CHIP Implants — NFC, RFID & Walletmor
The future under your skin — pay contactlessly, open doors and more with a subcutaneous chip
What are CHIP Implants?
CHIP implants are tiny electronic chips that are inserted under the skin — typically in the area between the thumb and index finger. The chips use NFC (Near Field Communication) or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology and enable a wide range of everyday applications.
The technology is not as futuristic as it sounds: RFID chips have been used in pets for decades and have been available for human use for several years. The chips are encased in biocompatible material, passive (no battery) and safe.
Available Chips
Flat Chip (Walletmor)
Contactless Payment
The Walletmor chip is a flat, flexible chip specifically designed for contactless payment. It works everywhere contactless card payment is accepted — simply hold your hand to the terminal.
Features:
- Contactless payment (Visa/Mastercard compatible)
- Usable worldwide
- Same security as contactless cards
Cylindrical Chip (NFC/RFID)
Multifunctional
The cylindrical chip is a versatile NFC/RFID transponder about the size of a grain of rice (approx. 2x12 mm). It can be programmed and reprogrammed for a wide variety of applications.
Features:
- Access control (front door, office, car)
- Digital business card (vCard via NFC)
- Smart home control
- Data storage (URLs, texts, emergency info)
- Reprogrammable — functions can be changed at any time
Everyday Applications
Contactless Payment
Pay at any contactless terminal with the Walletmor chip — your phone and wallet can stay at home.
Access Control
Open your front door, office, gym or car — simply with your hand. Compatible with many modern locking systems.
Digital Business Card
Share your contact details via NFC — simply hold a smartphone to your hand and all information is shared automatically.
Smart Home
Turn on lights, adjust heating or activate scenes — with a scan of your hand on an NFC reader.
Data Storage
Store important information: emergency contacts, medical data, URLs to your social media profiles or your website.
Authentication
Use your chip as a second factor for login systems or for identification in compatible systems.
Important: Bring Your Own Chip
We do not sell chips. You order your desired chip yourself from the manufacturer (e.g. Walletmor, Dangerous Things, Digiwell) and bring it sealed in sterile packaging to your appointment. The responsibility for chip compatibility and long-term effects lies with the customer or manufacturer.
Implantation Methods
Flat Chips (approx. 28 x 6 x 0.5 mm)
Examples: Walletmor, Digiwell FlexPay. These larger, flexible chips are implanted via scalpel incision under local anaesthesia:
- 1. Marking of implantation site and vein mapping
- 2. Local anaesthesia with fine needle
- 3. Small skin incision with scalpel
- 4. Manual pocket preparation under the skin
- 5. Chip insertion and position check
- 6. Skin suture or Steri-Strip closure
Cylindrical Chips (approx. 2 x 12–15 mm)
Examples: xNT, xEM, NExT, VivoKey. These small glass capsule chips are inserted using the supplied injection needle (introducer):
- 1. Marking of implantation site
- 2. Local anaesthesia with fine needle
- 3. Insertion via introducer needle (seconds)
- 4. Remove needle, check position
- 5. Steri-Strip or plaster
Placement
The chip is placed where there is sufficient tension-free space and minimal mechanical stress. Common implantation sites:
- Back of the hand — between the metacarpal bones (most popular site)
- Thumb-index finger webbing — especially for cylindrical chips
- Outer forearm — for flat chips requiring more space
The exact position is discussed during the consultation. We recommend being flexible regarding your preferred site — anatomy plays a role in the decision.
Procedure Overview
Consultation
We discuss your wishes and select the optimal implantation site. Bring your sterile-packaged chip with you.
Anaesthesia
The area is numbed with genuine local anaesthesia. The entire procedure is thus completely painless.
Implantation
Depending on chip type: scalpel incision with suture (flat) or introducer needle (cylindrical). Under sterile conditions.
Aftercare
Steri-Strip or suture, 1–2 weeks healing time. After that, the chip is fully functional and invisible.
Prices
| Chip Type | Cash (CHF) | Card (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| Flat Chip (Walletmor — Payment) | CHF 240 | CHF 260 |
| Cylindrical Chip (NFC/RFID) | CHF 110 | CHF 130 |
Prices include local anaesthesia, procedure and aftercare consultation. The chip is not included — please bring your own.
Frequently Asked Questions about CHIP Implants
Is a chip implant safe?
Yes. The chips used are encased in biocompatible glass or biopolymer and are not rejected by the body. RFID and NFC chips have been used in animals for over 20 years and have been available for human use for several years. The implants are passive — they have no battery and do not emit signals unless actively triggered by a reader.
Can the chip be removed again?
Yes, the chip can be removed at any time. The procedure is comparable to the insertion — a small incision under local anaesthesia is sufficient. If you no longer want the chip, we can remove it at the studio.
Does the chip trigger metal detectors?
No. The chips are so small and contain so little metal that they are not detected by conventional metal detectors (airports, events). There are generally no problems with MRI scans either — but please inform your doctor nonetheless.
Can the chip be hacked or read without consent?
NFC/RFID chips have an extremely short range of just a few centimetres. Unnoticed reading is practically impossible. Additionally, the chips can be encrypted. Walletmor payment chips use the same security technology as contactless bank cards.
How long does the chip last?
NFC/RFID chips have no battery and therefore a virtually unlimited lifespan. Walletmor payment chips have the same validity period as a conventional bank card (typically 5-8 years), as they are linked to a payment account.
Interested in a CHIP Implant?
Schedule a consultation — we will explain everything about the different chips, possible applications and the procedure itself.