There are many precursors to the actual mark of the beast, with is to say there are many efforts that have been attributed to the mark though they are not. Regardless of any claims the only time the actual mark of the beast can be given is during the midpoint of the tribulation itself.
That means the rapture would already have taken place and the false prophet would be on the scene. Any efforts, no matter how reasonable the correlation may seem is outside any biblical context of the actual mark of the beast.
Revelation 13:15-18
15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.