In the evolving landscape of digital publishing, few innovations have sparked as much curiosity and potential as Writing NFT—a new frontier in decentralized content creation. In this exclusive conversation, we explore the vision of Kin Ko, author of Blockchain Sociology and pioneer of the LikeCoin ecosystem, as he unpacks how Writing NFT is redefining what it means to publish, preserve, and participate in digital culture.
From automatic archiving on decentralized storage networks like IPFS and Arweave, to registering immutable digital fingerprints via ISCN (International Standard Content Number), Writing NFT isn’t just about monetization—it’s about building a resilient, censorship-resistant foundation for collective memory and open knowledge.
Let’s dive into how this technology works, why it matters, and what it could mean for writers, readers, and communities worldwide.
The Birth of Decentralized Publishing (DePub)
Kin Ko recently returned from DWeb Camp in California’s redwood forests—an annual gathering focused on building a decentralized web. Inspired by the event, he published a digital postcard using Writing NFT, embedding his experience directly onto the blockchain.
“It’s not just documentation,” Kin explains. “It’s proof that this content existed at this moment, unchanged and permanently accessible.”
This idea lies at the heart of decentralized publishing, or what Kin calls “no-big-platform” (wudaotai) publishing—a system where creators bypass traditional gatekeepers and publish directly to a global, tamper-proof network.
Unlike conventional platforms that can remove content or ban users arbitrarily, Writing NFT ensures that once something is published, it remains archived and alive.
👉 Discover how decentralized tools are reshaping digital expression
How Writing NFT Works: Simultaneous Publishing & Archiving
At its core, Writing NFT enables any static web content with a URL to be:
- Automatically saved to IPFS and Arweave
- Registered with an ISCN identifier on the LikeChain blockchain
- Instantly verifiable and permanently preserved
This process happens at the moment of publication—closing the gap between creation and archiving. There's no need for manual backup or trust in third-party services.
For readers, owning a Writing NFT means more than collecting digital memorabilia. It represents support for the creator, a timestamped record of engagement, and participation in a growing cultural archive.
“Think of it as earning karma in the creative economy,” Kin says. “You support someone today; maybe years later, that gesture carries unexpected value.”
Two Layers of Support: LikeCoin Button vs. Writing NFT
| Feature | LikeCoin Button | Writing NFT |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Micro-tipping through claps | Ownership and preservation |
| User Action | Click to support | Collect or purchase |
| Value Type | Immediate small rewards | Long-term cultural equity |
While the LikeCoin Button offers instant micro-payments (a “clap” translates to a fraction of a token), Writing NFT introduces lasting ownership. Creators can issue individual articles as NFTs—similar to how musicians drop singles—while compiling them into full collections later.
FAQ: Understanding Writing NFT
Q: What does it mean to 'own' a Writing NFT?
A: Owning a Writing NFT gives you verifiable proof that you hold a specific version of a piece of content, archived immutably on decentralized networks. You can keep it, gift it, or trade it—just like physical collectibles.
Q: Can anyone create a Writing NFT?
A: Yes—any creator with a public URL can turn their content into a Writing NFT. However, they must actively choose to mint it. Unlike bookmarking tools like Pocket, this requires intentional action from the author.
Q: Is censorship possible in decentralized publishing?
A: Not in the traditional sense. Because content is stored across distributed nodes, no single entity can erase it. However, communities still face challenges around moderation—balancing openness with responsibility.
Q: How does ISCN help verify authenticity?
A: ISCN generates a unique cryptographic fingerprint for each piece of content. When combined with blockchain timestamps, it proves when something was published and whether it has been altered since.
Q: Can I use Creative Commons licenses with Writing NFT?
A: Absolutely. Kin uses CC-BY for most of his work, allowing free sharing and adaptation. He also explores CC0 (public domain dedication), though he cautions that authors should ensure alternative income models exist before relinquishing all rights.
👉 Learn how creators are using blockchain to protect their work
Beyond Preservation: Building Cultural Commons
Kin envisions a future where Writing NFTs enable cross-reader, cross-publisher, cross-domain curation—a true digital commons where ideas flow freely yet remain traceable.
Consider Hong Kong’s growing list of banned books—estimated at over two dozen—where titles vanish silently from libraries without official notice. In such environments, decentralized publishing becomes not just useful but essential.
“If a book disappears tomorrow, but we have its ISCN and full text on Arweave, we know it existed. We know what was removed—and that’s powerful.”
This isn’t nostalgia for print culture; it’s preparation for a world where truth itself is under pressure.
Yet preservation alone isn’t enough. To stay alive, archives must be discovered, read, remixed.
“Right now, we focus too much on theory,” Kin admits. “We need better interfaces—cooler designs, gamified experiences—to make this engaging.”
Chain Choice Matters: LikeCoin vs. Ethereum
While platforms like Mirror (built on Ethereum) offer similar NFT publishing tools, Kin emphasizes that infrastructure shapes possibility.
“Ethereum is like a vast empire—flexible but crowded. LikeChain is a small nation built for one purpose: supporting creators.”
On Ethereum, every transaction competes for space with high-stakes DeFi trades, driving up gas fees—even for tiny creator tips. In contrast, LikeChain optimizes for low-cost, high-frequency interactions ideal for micro-payments and mass participation.
Moreover, LikeCoin’s ecosystem—built around ISCN, LikeCoin Button, and Writing NFT—creates synergy. Each component reinforces the other, forming a cohesive framework for content provenance, creator funding, and community governance.
Toward Collective Remix Culture
Kin dreams of a future where writing evolves like open-source code: forked, remixed, improved.
Imagine a poem turned into an essay, then adapted into a script—all tracked via ISCN, all attributed back to original authors. With CC0 licensing gaining traction among NFT projects, such openness may soon become mainstream.
But cultural shifts require action.
“We need more people willing to get their hands dirty—trying wallets, minting NFTs, experimenting.”
In Taiwan and beyond, grassroots groups like FAB DAO and Open Culture Foundation are already embracing these tools. And younger developers are stepping up—writing code, proposing ideas, shaping the next chapter.
Final Thoughts: Why This Moment Matters
Digital content today lives precariously—hosted on servers controlled by corporations or governments that can disappear overnight. The shutdown of Hong Kong’s Apple Daily and Stand News showed how quickly voices can be silenced.
But with Writing NFT, every publication becomes both an act of expression and resistance—a permanent node in a living archive.
As Kin puts it:
“Archived means it doesn’t disappear. Alive means someone still reads it.”
And perhaps one day soon, thanks to decentralized publishing, we’ll look back and realize: the most important stories weren’t lost—they were simply waiting to be rediscovered.
👉 Join the movement toward open, permanent digital publishing
Core Keywords:
- Writing NFT
- Decentralized publishing
- ISCN
- IPFS
- Arweave
- Blockchain content
- Digital preservation
- CC0 licensing