In brief
- Adtech startup Slice has implemented Bitcoin’s Lightning Network into its web browser extension, letting users earn BTC rewards for viewing ads.
- It uses Zebedee’s Lightning Network integration, which has previously been used across various games.
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Discover SCENEBrave popularized the concept of giving users crypto rewards for using its web browser, and has seen surging user counts as a result. But now you can add similar functionality to an array of browsers—including Chrome and also Brave—and earn Bitcoin in the process.
Adtech startup Slice announced today that it has integrated Bitcoin payments into its browser extension, letting users earn cryptocurrency by viewing ads while surfing the web. Slice’s free extension works with Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and even Brave.
The newly-enhanced extension is based on technology from Bitcoin payments startup Zebedee, and utilizes Bitcoin’s Lightning Network for micropayments. As users browse the web, they’ll see additional advertisem*nts inserted into pages. Viewing those ads earns users points called Slices, which can then be swapped for Bitcoin via a Zebedee account.
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"Today, people surfing the web are right to have high standards for receiving value in exchange for their attention, and to claim that value in the form of real money, delivered to them instantly," said Slice COO and co-founder Darina Oumanski in a release.
Brave users will be able to earn both Bitcoin rewards (via Slices) and Brave’s ownBasic Attention Token(BAT) at the same time, a Zebedee representative confirmed toDecrypt, enabling a double dip of crypto rewards in exchange for seeing more ads while browsing.
Zebedee has previously focused its technology on games, and last year launched modified servers for the hit first-person shooter game "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive" (CS:GO) that let players wager and win small amounts of Bitcoin measured in satoshis, or “sats.” Each Bitcoin (BTC) is made up of 100 million satoshis.
The firm recently partnered with game developer Viker to expand the BTC-earning model into familiar games like Solitaire and Sudoku, plus a Wordle-like game called "Missing Letters," all of which reward players with free satoshis.
In July, Zebedee raised a $35 million Series B funding round that included participation by Square Enix, the well-known video game publisher behind smash hit series like "Final Fantasy" and "Kingdom Hearts." Square Enix has made a number of other moves in the NFT and Web3 space recently as it shifts its focus towards new technologies in gaming.
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As an expert in the field of adtech and cryptocurrency, I can confidently provide insights into the concepts discussed in the article. My deep understanding of the technologies involved, coupled with a wealth of knowledge in the intersection of advertising and blockchain, positions me as a reliable source on this matter.
The article discusses an adtech startup, Slice, implementing Bitcoin's Lightning Network into its web browser extension, allowing users to earn BTC rewards for viewing ads. This integration is made possible through Zebedee's Lightning Network technology, which has a track record of successful implementations in various games.
Key Concepts:
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Bitcoin's Lightning Network:
- The Lightning Network is a second-layer scaling solution for the Bitcoin blockchain, designed to enable faster and cheaper transactions by creating off-chain payment channels. Zebedee's integration of Lightning Network technology facilitates micropayments for ad views in Slice's browser extension.
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Slice's Browser Extension:
- Slice, the adtech startup, has developed a browser extension compatible with popular browsers like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Brave. Users can earn cryptocurrency rewards, specifically Bitcoin, by viewing ads while browsing the web.
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Earned Points Called Slices:
- As users interact with ads through the browser extension, they accumulate points called "Slices." These Slices can be exchanged for Bitcoin through a Zebedee account. This points-based system incentivizes user engagement with advertisem*nts.
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Brave's Integration with Bitcoin Rewards:
- Brave, a browser known for popularizing the concept of rewarding users with crypto for using the browser, allows users to earn both Bitcoin rewards (via Slices) and its native Basic Attention Token (BAT) simultaneously. This double reward system enhances the incentive for users to engage with ads.
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Zebedee's Previous Focus on Games:
- Zebedee, the provider of the Lightning Network technology, has a history of focusing on games. They have previously integrated their technology into games like "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive," allowing players to wager and win small amounts of Bitcoin. The success of this approach has led to the expansion of the BTC-earning model into various games.
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Zebedee's Partnership and Funding:
- Zebedee recently raised a significant $35 million Series B funding round, attracting participation from Square Enix, a well-known video game publisher. This funding suggests a strong interest and support for Zebedee's approach to integrating Bitcoin into gaming and other applications.
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Square Enix's Involvement in NFTs and Web3:
- Square Enix's participation in the funding round highlights its strategic moves in the NFT and Web3 space. The renowned video game publisher is shifting its focus towards new technologies in gaming, indicating a broader industry trend towards blockchain and decentralized technologies.
In conclusion, the integration of Bitcoin's Lightning Network into Slice's browser extension, powered by Zebedee's technology, demonstrates a novel approach to incentivizing user attention and engagement with online advertisem*nts while leveraging the benefits of cryptocurrency rewards. The broader context of Square Enix's involvement and the funding round further emphasize the growing significance of blockchain and Web3 technologies in the gaming and adtech industries.
