Onchain Podcasting, Monetization, and the Creator Economy’s Next Leap

Welcome back to another edition of Early Morning Crew, where we unpack the latest in the creator economy and onchain tools. This week’s conversation took a deep dive into the emerging overlap of podcasting and blockchain technology.

Spoiler alert: the future of decentralized content is even more exciting than we thought!

From onchain tipping to legacy media jumping into Web3, there’s a lot to cover—so grab a coffee, settle in, and let’s get into it.

The conversation kicked off with a look at Fountain, a platform that lets listeners tip podcasters directly using Bitcoin’s Lightning Network. In this model, monetization doesn’t depend on ad revenue or subscriptions—it happens in real-time, during the listening experience. Talk about empowering creators! Every second a listener spends on your episode could turn into a financial boost.

“You can connect your wallet to your podcasting app, boost a comment, and the creator receives that money directly in sats,” said Gramajo. “It’s like getting paid as they listen.”

What’s more, this process doesn’t disrupt the flow of traditional podcasting methods like RSS feeds. Instead, it layers decentralized technology on top, so creators can monetize onchain without sacrificing accessibility to mainstream platforms like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Imagine the power shift here—creators getting paid instantly for engagement, all without middlemen. Whether you’re a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, the ability to earn directly from your listeners through crypto is a game changer for the creator economy.

The integration of blockchain doesn’t stop at tipping. Web3 podcasting platforms like Pods are making waves by building entire distribution ecosystems onchain. What does that mean? Essentially, it’s bringing the best of Web2’s accessibility and blending it with Web3’s transparency and decentralization.

“Pods has made their podcasts available through RSS, so you can still listen through traditional platforms like Spotify or Apple Podcasts,” said Humpty. “But behind the scenes, it’s all happening on-chain.”

And here’s where things get really exciting: Pods recently onboarded a major traditional podcast from Wondery, one of the biggest names in the podcasting space. This move signals a broader trend where traditional, mainstream media is beginning to see the benefits of decentralized platforms. As Gramajo pointed out, “It’s really cool to see another true crime podcast go onchain just as the genre celebrates 10 years of Serial.”

The entry of established media players into Web3 podcasting is huge. It shows that blockchain isn’t just for niche creators anymore—it’s starting to attract big players who see its potential for distribution, monetization, and audience engagement.

Despite all these advancements, there’s still one thing missing: a Web3-native podcast app that integrates all the things creators need—seamless tipping, onchain comments, and integration with decentralized social networks like Farcaster. The crew discussed this gap, expressing surprise that no one has built an Ethereum-based podcast app that combines these features in a user-friendly way.

“Why don’t we have an ETH-native podcast app that lets you tip creators easily or post a comment on Farcaster right from the app?” asked Humpty. The idea is simple—an app that makes Web3 podcasting just as intuitive as the platforms we’re already used to, but with the added value of decentralized tools.

While platforms like Fountain and Pods are great steps forward, a fully integrated Web3 podcasting app could be a game changer. It would provide creators with a holistic ecosystem where listeners could tip, engage, and share—all onchain. And for creators, this would mean more control, more transparency, and more ways to monetize.

One of the most critical aspects of Web2 podcasting platforms is the rich data they provide. Metrics like listener drop-off points, device data, and geographic information help creators refine their content strategies. But this is something that’s still missing from Web3 platforms like Pods.

“I love data because it gives you insight into what kind of content resonates with your audience,” said Humpty. “But the analytics features of onchain podcast platforms aren’t great, and without detailed metrics, it’s hard to make informed decisions about what’s working and what’s not.”

Without these insights, creators are somewhat flying blind in terms of knowing what content connects best with their audience. This is something that needs to evolve if Web3 podcasting platforms are going to compete with their Web2 counterparts.

Data is everything when it comes to growth and audience engagement. If Web3 podcast platforms can catch up here, it would open up a whole new level of strategy for creators—helping them fine-tune their content and grow their listener base more effectively.

Amidst all the talk of blockchain and decentralized platforms, there’s one thing that remains constant: the power of RSS feeds. While Web3 offers exciting new opportunities, RSS feeds are still the backbone of podcasting, allowing creators to distribute their content across multiple platforms without being locked into any one ecosystem.

“No one can take away your audience if you own your feed,” said Humpty. “RSS is what keeps podcasting decentralized at its core, and that’s why it fits so well with Web3.”

By keeping RSS feeds at the heart of their systems, platforms like Pods ensure that creators can maintain control over their content while benefiting from the advantages of onchain monetization and engagement.

For creators, the ability to distribute content widely while maintaining control is critical. RSS feeds remain a key part of the podcasting world, and their integration with Web3 platforms ensures that creators won’t have to choose between accessibility and innovation.

We’re at a pivotal moment for podcasting and the creator economy. Onchain tools are bringing creators and listeners closer together, offering real time tipping, engagement, and new ways to monetize. But we’re also just scratching the surface—there’s still a need for better data, more seamless integration, and apps that make Web3 podcasting as intuitive as the platforms we know and love.

Until next week, keep exploring, keep creating, and stay tuned for more insights into the evolving world of decentralized media!

—Your Early Morning Crew

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