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Union Square Ventures Values Crypto Publishing Tool Mirror at $100 Million
Say what you like about cryptocurrencies, NFTs and the blockchain – they’re providing publishers with some new and exciting ways to jump on the bandwagon. Venture firm Union Square Ventures – an early backer of the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase – has invested in crypto publishing tool Mirror.xyz. Mirror is effectively Medium, but instead of Claps or direct subscriptions it allows the authors to mint their articles as NFTs, to be sold to the highest bidders.
You might want to criticise that idea for being, among other things, bad for the environment, or unsustainable in the long term, or anti-open internet. But remember that if you do criticise it you’ll be going up against the new publishing arm of Coinbase, which is sure to be a totally unbiased and completely objective look at some of those issues.
As the next story shows, sections of the publishing industry are quick to sell out if it means an equally quick buck. But if they’re selling articles as NFTs or investing into crypto technology then they at least need to be upfront about those drawbacks – unlike Coinbase.
Amid post-cookie confusion, Amazon plans to launch an identifier of its own
As the transition between pre- and post-privacy worlds continues, Amazon is predictably seeking to use the chaos to establish its own solution. Digiday is reporting that the online retail giant is speaking to other companies to help develop an identifier that works within its own ad network. The rich get richer?
Outside launches membership model
Here’s one to take a look at if you have even a passing interest in subscription bundles. Outside, which owns a bunch of outdoor activity-oriented brands, is launching its membership model which includes access to over 30 brands and apps.
Australian regulator claims victory in scrap with Big Tech over news
Murdoch stooges out in full force to defend this interpretation of the change. The reality is that direct funding of news from the platforms is based on a lie, primarily benefits the incumbents and will do nothing for diversity, and is an opaque system that does the public a disservice. But hey, Duopoly Bad Newspapers Good, so don’t look too hard at the details.
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