UKC

Bit of a random one, 

Picked up a griptonite sticker from a climbing wall and noticed a microchip on the sticky side.

What is it for? 

I'd guess it's an NFC chip that you can scan with your phone using their app to link you to the climb.

Maybe tangential, but what a weird name for a product given that cryptonite is the one thing that weakens the superhero.

I mean what would griptonite do, surely it'd cause a climbing superman or superwoman to get an immediate pump and fall off (to their doom?)  if it even comes close to them? OK I'll shut up now.

I log climbs with the griptonite app, but it’s done via the phone camera and QR codes on the starting hold tag. Not sure what the microchip is for.

There's no technical info on their website as far as I can see but the picture of the tag definitely shows an NFC-like symbol and refers to wireless technology. Maybe they have different versions of the tag or maybe you've just been choosing to scan the QR code but also have the option of using NFC. They'd need the QR code as at least an option because not all phones have NFC.

https://griptonite.io/#smart-route-tags