Normally, I'd embrace when automotives and technology come together. But this might be where I draw the line. Jaguar Land Rover is paying drivers cryptocurrency to report traffic data.

The British car company announced a new data-sharing incentive process on Monday. Using Smart Wallet technology, those who opt into the program will share data on potholes and traffic congestion with navigation companies and local authorities. In exchange, they are awarded cryptocurrency credits, which can be redeemed for rewards like cups of coffee, toll payments, parking fees, or electric car charging.

Jaguar Land Rover explains that the Smart Wallet system is great for this system since they have no transaction fees. They even offer the option to add credits to the wallet using real-world cash. A nice option for if you're only a few points away from a big reward.

As a technical man myself with plenty of experience working with cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, Etherium, and litecoin, I'm uneased by this idea. Cryptos don't just exist, they have to be mined for, registered, and distributed. They're not the same as a reward point on a grocery card. It's not exactly made clear where the currency is coming from, or even what crypto it is. Is it a bespoke currency made for this purpose, or an established currency masked as a reward system? Does the car do the currency mining? Is your vehicle's locations and driving patterns being sold to a company worth the occasional coffee? There are too many questions unanswered for it to have my trust.