Vitalik's Vision: How Monetization Should Support Creators

A digital ecosystem needs new solutions to effectively support content creators. The issue of creator monetization is becoming increasingly important in the debate about the future of Web3. Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has proposed several key observations on how this matter should be approached.

The effectiveness problem in current models

The main challenge in existing creator support systems is not the issuance of tokens itself but the selection of high-quality content. Buterin recognizes that many issuers focus on maximizing the number of publications rather than their substantive value. This approach leads to distraction and reduces the actual efficiency of the entire ecosystem. The fundamental question is: how to distinguish valuable content from noise?

A new approach: From speculation to practice

Vitalik suggests drawing inspiration from the Substack model, which is based on curation and practical support rather than empty promises of speculative profits. In his vision, tokens should serve as coordination tools rather than instruments for earning. Specifically, he proposes creating small, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) that would operate without their own tokens and instead use tokens mainly as prediction markets.

This transformation is crucial. Prediction markets can serve as a selection mechanism, allowing the community to assess a creator’s potential instead of promoting their assets as speculative opportunities. In this way, tokens become tools for measuring reputation and quality, rather than objects of financial speculation.

Curation as the foundation of success

Without a solid curation foundation, no token system will achieve its goals. Vitalik believes that the future of supporting creators lies in conscious decisions made by small communities that can accurately evaluate the value of work. Buterin’s approach suggests that effective tokens should be embedded within governance structures that naturally favor quality over quantity.