blockchains can serve as secure registries for important metadata, such as a story’s time of publication, bylines, tags, and so forth. As a tool for sales teams, blockchain-based registries can rank and filter trusted advertisers and ad content, and become an alternative to the often inscrutable auction-mechanism of digital ad exchanges

Storing and auditing data on the origin of stories

cryptocurrencies can be used to reward reporters, contributors, or even readers for completing specific tasks. For reporters, freelancers, and contributors, tokens can be used as a flexible component of their compensation package, similar to stock options in many sectors.

approving ads that readers wish to see

So far the way of storing data, as described above, can still resemble a special kind of Wikipedia: many people edit a single database, and all edits are tracked. What sets blockchains apart from a Wiki page or a Google Doc is, first, that once a new chunk of data (block) is added to the database, it cannot be edited, and second, that everyone in the blockchain network keeps a copy of the entire blockchain for themselves. There is no centralized, shared database, and edits can’t be