I've built substrat.io, a Patreon-style platform that runs on the Hive blockchain. It lets creators publish gated content behind subscriptions, tips, and paywalls. The content is encrypted so only your subscribers can access it through Substrat.
It's currently in public beta. If you're a creator on Hive - artist, writer, podcaster, video maker - I want you to try it out. The goal is to give creators a way to monetize directly from their audience instead of relying on post rewards and curation.
Still working out the kinks, so feedback is welcome. Give it a shot - head to substrat.io and let me know what you think.
This post has been shared on Reddit by @x-rain through the HivePosh initiative.
Hey! Nice work!
A few ideas: as someone mentioned, Hive is a small community at the moment, and you have an opportunity to reach outside of our chain with this project. You could accept different cryptos as payment, then set a timer after which the post becomes public on Hive for extra earnings. This way, you could onboard new users for the 'crypto-patreon' side at first, and then motivate them to learn about Hive for the extra voting rewards. It could be a good way to onboard new users IMO.
Happy to add it to our ecosystem by the way. I'll need the following:
• name of dapp
• logo URL
• short description
• category ("Social")
• URL
Thanks! Yeah, accepting other cryptos and bridging outside Hive is definitely part of the plan - that's where the real growth potential is. The timed unlock idea is interesting too, kind of a "pay early or wait for free" model. I need to think through how that would work with the encryption, but it's worth exploring.
I'll send you the dapp info for the ecosystem listing - I just need to come up with a logo real quick.
I've shortened the description a bit to let it fit on mobile, let me know if you want to edit it. You can see it in the Ecosystem section of the extension and in the Home page of the mobile App browser now.
But one question: will my content monetization depend on whether I receive tips? I mean, without positive votes?
I ask because I believe that newcomers like me won't have a chance if we depend solely on tips.
Excellent insight
Gotta pull in the audience
This looks interesting as an alternative way to earn. I think the Leo people did something similar with subscriptions, but I'm not sure how theirs worked. I know people say we don't have a big enough audience, but we need to have different options for creators. I don't tend to use Patreon for exclusive content, but isn't Substack a similar model? I guess that inspired the name.
Great idea and great job building it up!
Suggest to use Aioha so we can have more login alternatives.
Layout in mobile buggy.
Couldn't submit my profile. Not sure why. No errors informed.
Thank you for the feedback! I’ve enhanced the form validation, so you should now see a clear error message if something goes wrong. Regarding the layout issues on mobile, could you provide an example of the specific page or section of the app that appears buggy?
The header on dashboard after login
Another app on Hive is always great, but I can't see how it will work practically - not enough readers / users on Hive for Hive Patreon. If you could use Substrat.io without Hive account, it will be much better - from Debit card / PayPal directly to Hive.
You're pointing out the exact problem this is meant to solve - we need creator revenue streams outside of the inflation pool because the current reader-to-creator ratio isn't working. Non-Hive user subscriptions are definitely part of the plan down the road. Right now I just wanted to get the MVP out there and prove the concept.
Good to know. That would have a potential. Some outsiders might subscribe just to support some creators. + more reasons to advertise your blog outside as well as more reasons to keep it neat.
awesome. If I was using Hive regularly I would definitely look in to this. Reblogging for future perusal...
Hey Basil! Hope you are doing okay. It's interesting to see what people are building on Hive.
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always fascinating!
Im doing good thanks steev. intriguing threads unfolding in to 2026
hope to see you in it sometime!
We need a meetup somewhere. Suggestions are welcome.
View or trade
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I was going to @tag you to see this, but you already have! 😁
It is good to see more projects getting developed in these times. I also agree with stoodkev's points and hope this could be a gateway to bring more people to Hive. :mrtats/hive_rocket::mrtats/hive_rocket:
Excellent... is that only computer or android too,?
Designed for both desktop and mobile. Use the hive keychain app on Android.
Sounds good.
I'm curious about the content posted through Substrat, will it earn post rewards too?
Gated content isn’t published as a post on Hive; instead, it’s stored in encrypted form within a custom transaction. For example, I like to share my content early with subscribers and then release it later for everyone on Hive, at which point the public post will be eligible for rewards.
https://audio.3speak.tv/play?a=ear9quif
looks great!
This is a good one. I'll like to know more
This looks great! It'll be interesting to see how much traction it gets. Hive can be a hard enough place to build your social connections without the added paywall, but it would definitely be a feature that could really level Hive up if enough users are interested.
Love seeing the development on Hive, sloth and steady growth is what we need, hoping this post gets the buzz it needs for users to find the project!
I’m very interested in this and will have a look in a few minutes to see if it scratches an itch that I’ve had for awhile. I run modulations.substack.com and wonder if I could run an equivalent of it on hive. I’m kind of doing that already.
Check this new app @offgridlife
Great idea!
But how does it work, if I do a post on peakd? How does the frontend know it is exclusive content? Or do the posts need to be written via substrate? And they would be not seen on my normal peakd profile?
interesante,
But one question: will my content monetization depend on whether I receive tips? I mean, without positive votes?
I'm asking because I think newcomers like me won't have a chance if we rely solely on tips.
Do you understand what I mean?
I completely understand you. As a newbie, I'm also worried that it will be difficult. I have 43 subscribers, and I think that's not enough.
Update: @chiren, I paid out 4.095 HIVE and 0.423 HBD to reward 9 comments in this discussion thread.
I completely understand you. As a newbie, I'm also worried that it will be difficult. I have 43 subscribers, and I think that's not enough.