We recently spoke with Kin Ko, author of "Blockchain Sociology," about the Writing NFT feature developed by the LikeCoin blockchain community. Our discussion explored how this innovation integrates with "decentralized publishing" (referred to as "platform-less publishing" in Hong Kong) and Creative Commons licensing. Ko used his own experience converting a physical book into a limited-edition NFT as a starting point, then elaborated on the vision behind Writing NFTs, which launched in August.
Understanding Writing NFTs and Decentralized Publishing
Writing NFTs support all static digital content with a URL. When content is published, it is automatically uploaded to distributed file storage systems like IPFS and Arweave. Simultaneously, an ISCN (International Standard Content Number)—a unique fingerprint for that digital content—is registered. If this vision becomes widespread, could it transform existing online publishing and storage mechanisms? Could it become new infrastructure that reshapes the entire culture of publishing and writing? What new possibilities for collective writing and community imagination might it offer authors and communities?
The Mechanics of Writing NFTs
The automatic pricing mechanism for Writing NFTs is designed to be intuitive. When an author publishes content, the system handles the technical aspects seamlessly. This process ensures that the content is not only published but also preserved in a decentralized manner. The ISCN provides a verifiable timestamp and proof of existence, which is crucial for establishing authenticity and ownership.
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Kin Ko’s Journey and Vision
During our interview, Kin Ko had just returned from DWeb Camp, an event hosted by the Internet Archive in California’s redwood forests. Since 2016, this gathering has focused on building a decentralized web. Ko documented his experiences there using Writing NFTs, creating a series of digital postcards for friends and readers.
Ko is a well-known figure in the cryptocurrency and digital writing ecosystems. He founded LikeCoin and DHK dao, and authored the classic introductory book "Blockchain Sociology." Although many associate him closely with LikeCoin, he clarified that he stepped down from his role as founder in late 2021. The LikeCoin Foundation, originally registered in Hong Kong, dissolved and transitioned into a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization), which continues to operate without central authority.
Ko now describes himself as an author, volunteer, and core user within the LikeCoin ecosystem. He occasionally submits reports to the development team, writes documentation, or helps answer user questions. Despite having "completed his historical mission with LikeCoin," he remains passionate about promoting publishing freedom, financial freedom, and democratic freedom through blockchain technology.
Experimenting with "Platform-Less" Publishing
Over a year ago, after publishing "Blockchain Sociology," Ko minted the book’s cover art into 10 NFTs and auctioned them on Rarible. "At that time, the industry was still immature," he recalled. "Neither I nor the LikeCoin technology was fully ready. Society, especially the literary circle, wasn’t very familiar with NFTs." This early experiment was meant to help people practice issuing and collecting book-related NFTs.
On August 1, 2022, LikeCoin launched Writing NFTs. This feature added an organic option to the existing "LikeCoin Button," which allows readers to monetarily support authors with clicks. Now, the plugin interface can display both the LikeCoin Button and Writing NFT options. Writing NFTs support any static digital content with a URL, automatically uploading it to IPFS and Arweave while registering an ISCN on the LikeCoin Chain.
User Experience: Support and Interaction
From a user perspective, these features represent different levels of support for authors. The LikeCoin Button is simple and intuitive—each clap allocates a small amount from the LikeCoin fund to the author. It’s a pure gesture of support. "The amount might be small, but it creates interaction and connection," Ko explained.
Writing NFTs, on the other hand, offer a different value. Some might see them as intangible rewards, but Ko describes them as "merit in the creative circle." The community collectively witnesses who supports which authors, and supporters might eventually receive unexpected returns. Additionally, Writing NFTs allow individuals to showcase their literary tastes and collections, much like displaying a bookshelf publicly. For creators, they serve as a portfolio, easily accessible via liker.land.
Ownership and Fluidity of Writing NFTs
Ko shared potential strategies for his upcoming book, tentatively titled "So-Called 'I Don’t Invest' Means All-In on Fiat Currency." One approach involves releasing individual articles as Writing NFTs, similar to how musicians release singles. Another idea is a dynamic cover NFT—not a GIF, but one that changes based on sales volume, becoming more complete as more books are sold. This responds to the shift in reading behavior: "The pace is fast now. If you only interact with readers after completing a book, you miss opportunities for feedback and improvement."
But what does it mean to "own" a Writing NFT? Ko once analyzed eight types of ownership in an article, and Writing NFTs align most closely with "showing off, gifting, collecting, and tipping." Unlike Vitalik Buterin’s recent use of soulbound tokens (SBTs) for his book Proof of Stake—which are non-transferable—Writing NFTs can be traded or gifted. This liquidity isn’t necessarily driven by profit-seeking but by genuine engagement.
Content Preservation and Access
Different publishing formats offer varied reader experiences, but regardless of the approach, these NFTs point to metadata stored on IPFS and Arweave. This is crucial for content preservation. "In mainland China, there might not be 'banned books' because forbidden content never gets published. But in Hong Kong, more books are being banned," Ko noted. Decentralized publishing ensures that even without a willing publisher or printer, content can still be made available. This corresponds to the most basic form of ownership in Ko’s framework: "access anytime, anywhere, infinitely."
Furthermore, Writing NFTs can be combined in numerous ways. As more open data becomes available on the blockchain, opportunities for cross-reader, cross-publisher, and cross-disciplinary content curation will emerge. However, Ko believes this vision is still far off. Unlike bookmarking tools like Pocket, which are reader-driven and don’t require author consent, Writing NFTs require authors to actively mint their content.
The LikeCoin Ecosystem: Consensus vs. Community
Content creation platform Mirror, built on Ethereum, also recently launched a Writing NFT feature. While technically similar, the underlying blockchain infrastructure creates distinct advantages and disadvantages. Ethereum has a mature ecosystem with many exchanges and widespread wallet support like MetaMask. However, it must compete with other applications for resources, such as DeFi, which involves large transactions and high gas fees.
In contrast, LikeCoin is like a small country with a specific focus: decentralized publishing. It brings together authors and readers who care about platform-less publishing. "A community shares common points, and from that commonality, sufficient consensus can form," Ko explained. This consensus helps address issues like misinformation, content curation, or platform management.
What happens if an inappropriate Writing NFT is published? Ko distinguishes between censorship and moderation: "If a central authority decides to shut down your account, that’s censorship." LikeCoin’s blockchain has a clear positioning, and features like the LikeCoin Button, ISCN, and Writing NFTs create an ecosystem where community-based consensus allows for organic and virtuous operation.
Archived and Alive: Native Blockchain Content
After Hong Kong media outlets Apple Daily and Stand News shut down in 2021, archives like Web Library and the Internet Archive backed up their articles and web pages. Blockchain’s immutability and distributed storage make it an attractive option for digital preservation. For example, South China Morning Post turned headlines from 1997 to 2022 into NFTs called "ARTIFACTs by SCMP," creating an on-chain backup alongside their physical archives.
However, Ko argues that these efforts, while commendable, are insufficient. "Even if the content doesn’t disappear, we haven’t solved one problem: if the government claims these materials are fake news from overseas forces, we have no way to prove that Apple Daily actually published these reports." Similarly, with "ARTIFACTs by SCMP," the 25-year gap between publication and minting leaves room for doubt about potential alterations.
"We want to push the timestamp of on-chain registration earlier," Ko emphasized. "The shorter the time between publication and minting, the better. The shortest possible? Simultaneous!" LikeCoin’s Writing NFTs achieve precisely this, minting content at the moment of publication. While users may not initially worry about censorship or deletion, this approach ensures zero-delay preservation.
But what happens after preservation? Are Writing NFTs "living archives"? Ko suggests two interpretations of "living": being findable and having vitality—being read. Decentralized publishing guarantees the former and mathematically proves that content hasn’t been altered since publication. For "living" in the sense of vitality, better curation, display interfaces, and creative imagination are needed to make content engaging and relevant.
Getting Hands Dirty: Toward a Collective Writing Future
When "Blockchain Sociology" was published, Ko noted that "human inertia" was the biggest challenge. Few people were willing to "get their hands dirty" by learning to set up wallets, buy cryptocurrency, or mint NFTs. Has this changed? "Not really," he admitted. "In Taiwan, because life is comfortable, people may not feel the need to change habits or make preparations." Coming from a more turbulent society, Ko has a heightened sense of urgency.
Nevertheless, there are positive developments. Through interactions with Taiwanese communities like FAB DAO and the Open Culture Foundation (OCF), Ko sees growing support for LikeCoin’s理念. He recalled introducing LikeCoin and decentralized HK at g0v conferences years ago, where reactions were lukewarm or negative due to associations with cryptocurrency speculation.
"Recently, when I went back, people’s understanding of blockchain had changed. They see it as a tool for useful applications. This progress has been significant, and I’m happy to see younger generations proposing new projects, giving talks, and writing code."
Ko’s website features nearly 1,000 articles on blockchain knowledge and applications, all licensed under CC-BY, allowing free distribution, modification, and commercial use. In addition to the LikeCoin Button and paid subscriptions, he now uses Writing NFTs to publish his "Blockchain Sociology Weekly." Could Combining Writing NFTs with CC0 licensing (waiving all copyrights) enhance content circulation, as seen with many NFT projects? Ko cautions that using CC0 requires authors to have alternative ways to prove authorship and generate income.
In writing culture, unlike visual art, music, or code, there isn’t a strong tradition of derivative works, remixes, or forks. However, this doesn’t mean text-based creativity can’t evolve in that direction. With Writing NFTs and future applications, we might see the emergence of open, collective writing remix cultures—breaking down paywalls, eliminating annoying pop-up ads, and encouraging the widespread circulation of quality content.
So, why not start getting our hands dirty together?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Writing NFT?
A Writing NFT is a non-fungible token representing a piece of digital content, such as an article or blog post. It is minted simultaneously with publication, ensuring timestamped verification and decentralized storage on networks like IPFS and Arweave.
How does decentralized publishing differ from traditional publishing?
Decentralized publishing operates without a central authority or platform. Content is stored on distributed networks, making it resistant to censorship and takedowns. Authors have direct control over their work, and readers can support them without intermediaries.
Can Writing NFTs be traded or sold?
Yes, unlike soulbound tokens (SBTs), Writing NFTs can be traded, gifted, or sold. This liquidity allows collectors to support authors while potentially building valuable portfolios of curated content.
What is an ISCN?
An International Standard Content Number (ISCN) is a unique identifier for digital content, similar to an ISBN for books. It registers metadata and a content fingerprint on the blockchain, providing proof of existence and authenticity.
How can authors benefit from Writing NFTs?
Authors can use Writing NFTs to monetize their work, build a verifiable portfolio, and engage directly with their audience. The decentralized nature ensures content preservation and reduces reliance on centralized platforms.
Are there any risks associated with Writing NFTs?
The primary risks involve technical barriers, such as setting up crypto wallets and understanding blockchain transactions. Additionally, market volatility and regulatory uncertainties could impact the value and utility of NFTs.