Crypto Altruism Podcast Episode 145 - Brave & BAT - Building a user-first internet powered by Web3
In episode 145, we’re excited to welcome Luke Mulks, VP of Business Operations at Brave and Basic Attention Token, an ecosystem of software dedicated to protecting user privacy and rebuilding the internet by putting power back in the hands of users. We discuss how blockchain can built a safer, more user-driven internet, Brave’s success in onboarding millions of users to crypto, creating an accessible user experience in Web3, and much more.
Three Key Takeaways
A key step in building a user-first internet is creating accessible tools that are meeting internet users where they are at. In the case of Brave, they recognized that billions of individuals use internet browsers that are operated for-profit by extracting user data and selling it to the highest bidder. By creating a familiar and accessible browser, it’s an excellent way to onboard individuals to Web3.
By releasing Basic Attention Token (BAT) as a cryptocurrency, as opposed to going with a traditional rewards programs, it ensures decentralization by putting ownership in the hands of holders, while preventing the company behind the token from having too much control, including the ability to arbitrarily stop the program or release more tokens. By going with a cryptocurrency, it also opens the door for future use cases and applications that come with smart contracts.
Web3 has a long way to go towards creating an accessible UI/UX to onboard the next billion users. To address this, it’s important to not overcomplicate Web3, and make it easy to begin engaging in the space through tools individuals use every day. It’s also important to embrace competition, including a multi-chain future where different projects find their niche in creating a more accessible UI/UX.
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Episode Time Stamps
02:10 - What was your “Ah hah” moment that first got you excited about cryptocurrency and web3?
08:20 - To start things off, there is quote from the Brave website I’d like to share – “The internet is a sea of ads, hackers, and echo chambers. Big Tech makes huge profits off our data, and tells us what’s true and what’s not. Brave is fighting back.” Can you please introduce listeners to Brave?
14:35 - An important part of the Brave ecosystem is the Basic Attention Token (BAT), which I understand you co-authored the White paper for – what is Basic Attention Token and what role does it play in the ecosystem?
21:55 - Why did you decide to go the route of a crypto asset for the Basic Attention Token?
30:40 - One of the barriers to achieving widescale adoption in Web3 is poor UX/UI – what are your thoughts on this, and what is Brave doing to address this?
37:30 - As we near the end of this conversation, there is another quote from your website that I’d like to share: “We remember what the web was meant to be…and we’re fighting to restore that original vision. For privacy, neutrality, openness, and most of all freedom.” Why should those listening in today join the fight and switch to Brave?
40:00 - What’s the best way for listeners to learn more about Brave and BAT??
41:10 - To wrap things up, if you could name one thing that excites you most about the social impact potential of web3, what would it be and why?
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DISCLAIMER
While we may discuss specific web3 projects or cryptocurrencies on this podcast, please do not take any of this as investment advice, and please make sure to do your own research on potential investment opportunities, or any opportunity. We host a variety of guests on this podcast with the sole purpose of highlighting the social impact use cases of this technology. That being said, Crypto Altruism does not endorse any of these projects, and we recognize that, since this is an emerging sector, some may be operating in regulatory grey areas, and as such, we cannot confirm their legality in the jurisdictions in which they operate, especially as it pertains to decentralized finance protocols. So, before getting involved with any project, it’s important that you do your own research and confirm the legality of the project. More available HERE.
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