What is Basic Attention Token (BAT)?
Basic Attention Token (BAT) is a cryptocurrency that revolutionized how content creators are paid and how users see advertisements.
This is something I have written about before but wanted to write about it again. Why? Because I use the Brave Browser on all my devices every freakin’ day and some updates have occurred since. What’s unique about the Brave Browser (one of the many uniqueness-es) is they incorporated Brave Rewards which uses the Basic Attention Token (BAT) on all platforms. Yes, now even for android!
So you might be wondering what is the Brave Browser and Brave Rewards (anything with rewards in it sounds fun!). And what is the Basic Attention Token (BAT) and why do they use it?
A triangle has three sides. Without all three sides, it’s not a triangle, literally. (Yes I know, the BAT logo is a triangle – which visualizes their mission). The relationship between the Brave Browser, Brave Rewards and BAT is a symbiotic relationship. Its the yin — to the — yang. To operate in conjunction with each other, intertwining themselves for the user, advertiser, and publisher. Interoperability at its finest. Seriously!
The Roots
Basic Attention Token is an Ethereum based token founded by Brenden Eich. Yes, the same guy who created the JavaScript programming language and co-founded Mozilla and Firefox. So put away your fears of legitimacy. This project is legit and founded by a legend.
Basic Attention Token adoption has been insane through its complementary product, Brave Browser with 5.5 million active monthly users as of January 2019. I can assume this number has grown exponentially. As of today, there are 239,946 Brave Browser Publishers like The Washington Post, NPR, The Guardian, and many more highly touted websites.
Through Brave, fans or random people who like the content can tip content creators and publishers with BAT. Also, users earn BAT for viewing ads. This is optional and users can block ads completely, but why when you can earn money doing so?
What is Brave Browser?
I am going to highlight some of the important features that Brave Browser offers. A full review click here.
Brave Browser comes with a built-in ad-blocker. Yes, you heard right. Built-in. As in, there is not an extension needed alongside Brave. Also, there’s a unique feature on the New Tab Page that displays and totals ads blocked by Brave.
The browser loads sites 2–8 times faster than Chrome & Safari on mobile, twice as fast as Chrome on desktop.
By default, all adverts and trackers on a website are blocked and users are instead given the option of opting into the Brave Rewards program. Something I recommend so you can earn BAT. By opting in to this program, you’re paid in BAT for viewing non-intrusive ads.
On a desktop, a small tab pops-up on the bottom right showing a snippet of the ad. Once you click on it, it opens a new tab with the advertised website. If you don’t click it, the small tab will go away after a few seconds. Even by opting in to the Brave Rewards program, you have a choice to click and view the ad or ignore it. Pretty sweet deal right?
Brave also has a private browsing window similar to Chromes Incognito mode. The only difference is they offer an additional Tor browsing window for advanced security. Below is a list of their features from their features page.
The Symbiotic Relationship
Adverts slow down websites, decrease battery life and use up mobile data quickly. According to the Basic Attention Token website, up to 50% of the average users mobile data is consumed by adverts and trackers. No Bueno!
Combining the BAT cryptocurrency with the Brave browser, users get rewarded for viewing optional advertisements. Compare this too intrusive adverts that interrupt you while you’re watching videos or trying to browse a website.
As I mentioned, instead of being pestered by obnoxious adverts you can choose to view an advert and get paid for your time.
So what you’re saying is I get paid to browse the web? Yes (shakes head up and down vigorously).
In fact, during the writing of this article, I earned 0.10 BAT from adverts (I write slow). That might not be much to you but I have never been paid for my attention before.
Watching adverts is not the only way you can earn Basic Attention Tokens. Content creators can receive tips in BAT. This includes bloggers, writers, Twitch streamers and YouTube creators. You can even earn tips on Twitter tweets using the Brave Browser. Beside earning “likes” or subscribers, you can earn BAT.
Brave has a built-in Basic Attention Token wallet so there is no hassle storing your earned BAT. They teamed up with Uphold to allow you to withdraw your tokens into any currency you want including GBP & USD.
How you can earn Basic Attention Token (BAT)
Download Brave Browser, enable Brave Rewards and use it like any other browser. To enable Brave Rewards, click on the BAT symbol on end of the URL bar, then click on Reward settings.
Once you reach the settings page, simply toggle “Brave Rewards” to on and you can start earning BAT.
Publishers and Creators
Become a Verified Brave Publisher and receive BAT tips from users who enjoy your content. To become a publisher you need to create a Brave Rewards account.
Through Brave, verified publishers (like Halfbare – that’s me) receive more revenue. Also, users like YOU get rewarded for their attention, creating a win-win for both the publisher and user.
How you can invest directly in Basic Attention Token (BAT)
You can invest directly in BAT through an online exchange or you can get some for FREE through the Coinbase Earn program.
Coinbase Earn allows users to earn cryptocurrencies, while learning about them in a simple and engaging way. The idea is for users to understand more about an asset’s utility and its underlying technology, while getting a bit of the asset to try out.
Besides earning FREE crypto from Coinbase Earn, you buy directly from Coinbase where you will receive $10 FREE in Bitcoin using my link.
Basic Attention Token Conclusion
Basic Attention Token is one of the few cryptocurrencies reaching mass adoption. Why? Not only do they have a fantastic product, but they also have Sampson. He’s always active on Twitter (he never sleeps) helping individuals with the Brave Browser, reporting bugs users find, and promoting content creators that are using Brave.
I expect Basic Attention Token to become a household name in the next 5 years or sooner. I always wondered how it would feel to be an early adopter of an innovative product I would use. And for once, I got to become one.