Crypto and Porn: The Future of Adult Content

Technology is sometimes viewed as a solution searching for a problem, exemplified by recent news of a leading porn site partnering with a new cryptocurrency. Tube8 aims to reward users with Vice Industry Tokens (VIT) for watching and engaging with videos, despite the reality that most users do not need financial incentives to view adult content. In 2017 alone, Pornhub received 28.5 billion visits and its audience primarily consumes free content. This narrative intertwines with Ted Nelson's vision from over 50 years ago, where he envisioned a digital repository and coined the term 'micropayments' to facilitate compensating content creators. While the web has realized much of Nelson's vision, micropayments remain a challenge, reflected in Tube8's attempt with VIT. Cryptocurrency has already penetrated the industry; for instance, Pornhub began accepting Verge cryptocurrency for anonymous premium subscriptions. The process is complicated, requiring users to navigate exchanges to convert traditional currency into crypto before purchasing subscriptions. Tube8's approach aims to simplify this by providing VIT to users watching free content, potentially encouraging wider adoption of cryptocurrency in adult entertainment. Historically, innovation in porn often drives broader industry advancements. Harrison Marks, a pioneer from the 1950s, utilized 8mm film to produce and distribute adult films, foreshadowing the VHS boom that led to widespread home access to adult content. By the 1990s, the internet emerged as a leading platform for viewing porn, with significant financial implications, including fraud and domain disputes over the sought-after sex.com. Attempts to monetize adult content have evolved, from the early days of credit card systems to contemporary models like Patreon, which simplifies subscriptions for creators while retaining user information in a centralized system. Conversely, for a crypto solution to succeed, it must be user-friendly, cost-effective, and integrate across various platforms—addressing barriers that discourage casual use. As the adult industry explores cryptocurrency for micropayments, the possibilities may lead to a more efficient model that benefits creators and consumers alike, pointing to a future where payment systems are as dynamic as the content they facilitate.