Ethereum-Powered Social Network Cent Launches Payments via Chat

Blogging platform Cent has launched a new feature that allows users to send each other the cryptocurrency ether via chat.

"You can just log on with an email, password and phone number," Cent CEO Max Brody told CoinDesk.

Cent offers a built-in custodial wallet, comparable to the payments feature in Facebook messenger, and the ability to sync up with MetaMask.

The team aims to offer a familiar social media experience while "Still utilizing the best parts of Web3," Cent advisor and investor Steven McKie said, using the term for the decentralized web.

"What Cent is doing long-term isn't focused on tipping as much as the idea that people should be able to earn money online from their creativity, their art, their content."

Beyond offering private chats with the ether payments feature, Cent also distinguishes itself from the pack with a unique tipping model.

Cent users "Seed" content they like, basically speculating on its popularity.

Even before enabling this messaging feature, Cent was already gaining traction among ethereum fans.

Up to 3,000 users transacted with ether through Cent over the past 30 days.

"Think of Cent more as a generalized transaction platform around any type of content. It could be that we'll move into verticals like podcasts, photos, or video blogging. We just want to be the network that connects them, not just content-wise but socially and financially."