
We've got big news here at Unlock! We raised $4 million in venture funding from a handful of VC firms and DAOs along with angel investors from the crypto and media industries. Guess what are main focus for these funds are— **supporting the rapid growth of the protocol**!

![new funding](/images/blog/digital-cash/digitalcash.jpg)

Bringing our ultimate vision for Unlock to life requires community support, participate and ultimately— funding. That's why today's announcement means so much to us and we are so grateful.

> “At Unlock, we envision a fairer, more humane Internet in which every creator can monetize their work on their own terms through membership benefits of their choice,” said Unlock CEO Julien Genestoux. “With the funding we have raised to date, Unlock will continue growing to become the most complete, open source platform to achieve this goal. We’re grateful to the investors who support our vision, and to our developer and creator communities who continue to build amazing new applications of our protocol.”

The $4 million round was led by VC firms including [Betaworks](https://www.betaworks.com/), [Cygni Labs](https://twitter.com/totofrance), [GMG Ventures](https://www.gmgventures.co/) (parent company of [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/us)), and [Metacartel Ventures China](https://metacartel.xyz/), along with participation from early investors

[Techcrunch wrote about us](https://techcrunch.com/2021/09/28/guardian-owner-invests-in-unlock-an-nft-protocol-designed-for-subscriptions-and-memberships/):

> Monetization for the creator economy continues to be a huge issue and opportunity, but creators mostly have to lock themselves into platforms like Patreon to realize their value. A better method would be to have a membership system for creators which sat across several platforms.

Stay tuned to this blog or [join the community in our Discord](https://discord.unlock-protocol.com/) to participate in building or supporting the protocol. We have some big announcements coming very soon — so don't wait to join us!

Also, [we are hiring](https://www.notion.so/unlockprotocol/Unlock-Jobs-907811d15c4d490091eb298f71b0954c), please, make sure you check our jobs page!

More press coverage:

- [VentureBeat](https://venturebeat.com/2021/09/28/unlock-raises-4m-for-blockchain-subscriptions-for-creators-devs-and-online-communities/): "Unlock raises $4M for blockchain subscriptions for creators, devs, and online communities"


We've got big news here at Unlock! We raised $4 million in venture funding from a handful of VC firms and DAOs along with angel investors from the crypto and media industries. Guess what are main focus for these funds are — supporting the rapid growth of the protocol!

We're accelerating as the protocol with a fresh cash infusion!

We raised $4M!

We've got big news here at Unlock! We raised $4 million in venture funding from a handful of VC firms and DAOs along with angel investors from the crypto and media industries. Guess what are main focus for these funds are— supporting the rapid growth of the protocol!
<img src="/images/blog/digital-cash/digitalcash.jpg" alt="new funding">
Bringing our ultimate vision for Unlock to life requires community support, participate and ultimately— funding. That's why today's announcement means so much to us and we are so grateful.
<blockquote>
“At Unlock, we envision a fairer, more humane Internet in which every creator can monetize their work on their own terms through membership benefits of their choice,” said Unlock CEO Julien Genestoux. “With the funding we have raised to date, Unlock will continue growing to become the most complete, open source platform to achieve this goal. We’re grateful to the investors who support our vision, and to our developer and creator communities who continue to build amazing new applications of our protocol.”
</blockquote>
The $4 million round was led by VC firms including <a href="https://www.betaworks.com/">Betaworks</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/totofrance">Cygni Labs</a>, <a href="https://www.gmgventures.co/">GMG Ventures</a> (parent company of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us">The Guardian</a>), and <a href="https://metacartel.xyz/">Metacartel Ventures China</a>, along with participation from early investors
<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2021/09/28/guardian-owner-invests-in-unlock-an-nft-protocol-designed-for-subscriptions-and-memberships/">Techcrunch wrote about us</a>:
<blockquote>
Monetization for the creator economy continues to be a huge issue and opportunity, but creators mostly have to lock themselves into platforms like Patreon to realize their value. A better method would be to have a membership system for creators which sat across several platforms.
</blockquote>
Stay tuned to this blog or <a href="https://discord.unlock-protocol.com/">join the community in our Discord</a> to participate in building or supporting the protocol. We have some big announcements coming very soon — so don't wait to join us!
Also, <a href="https://www.notion.so/unlockprotocol/Unlock-Jobs-907811d15c4d490091eb298f71b0954c">we are hiring</a>, please, make sure you check our jobs page!
More press coverage:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://venturebeat.com/2021/09/28/unlock-raises-4m-for-blockchain-subscriptions-for-creators-devs-and-online-communities/">VentureBeat</a>: "Unlock raises $4M for blockchain subscriptions for creators, devs, and online communities"</li>
</ul>


From the beginning, our goal has been to build a **shared infrastructure**. The protocol itself should belong to its users and implementers, not to Unlock Inc. A few months ago, we released our governance token, [the Unlock Tokens](/blog/unlock-tokens-launched).

In the same way that new airline miles are created for every flight, new UDT are minted for every Unlock transaction (but contrary to airline miles, fewer and fewer are created). ([read more about the tokenomics there](https://docs.unlock-protocol.com/governance/the-unlock-token))

The purpose of these tokens is to **give control and power to the developers, creators and users** of the protocol. Today, we're announcing that we launched the Unlock DAO.

![kale nixon](/images/blog/launching-unlock-discount-tokens/decentralized-unlock.jpg)

## What is the Unlock DAO?

There are many ways to think about Decentralized Autonomous Organizations. One way to think of it is as a system are working together toward a shared goal, by leveraging the internet and its networks as their main collaboration tool.

For the Unlock DAO, the participants are anyone who owns our governance token (or, as anyone who uses the protocol can earn some, anyone who used the protocol, even only once)

Similarly, the goal is the development of the protocol. This includes the technical aspects (writing new features in the core contracts), but also the marketing aspects (promoting the protocol), or even operational ones around the DAO itself.

The tools we use are the UDT tokens to get started, as the way to establish voting, but also a [brand new Governance contract](https://etherscan.io/address/0x440d9D4E66d39bb28FB58729Cb4D3ead2A595591). The Governance Contract uses OpenZeppelin's libraries ([see our code](https://github.com/unlock-protocol/unlock/blob/master/smart-contracts/contracts/UnlockProtocolGovernor.sol)) and sets the process through which the DAO makes decision. To get started, we set a few defaults for these rules, but they can be altered by the community.

## Making decisions

The Governance process includes 4 steps.

### 1. Delegating tokens

This is the first step and maybe the most important one. For many reasons, we don't expect all the UDT holders to vote on all propositions. For this, token holders can delegate their votes to anyone, and letting that address vote "on their behalf" for all proposals. Delegation can be changed at any point.

I want to insist on the fact that this is a crucial point as it ensures that voting is done a representative way: the more people delegate, the more "legit" a decision is! If you own any UDT, [you should delegate NOW](https://unlock.community/t/start-delegating-now/125/2).

### 2. Making a proposal

We decided that any token holder can make proposals. A proposal is basically a decision that gets executed "on chain". An example of proposal may be "send X Ether to Address Y", or "Swap X UDT to Ether", or "Deploy this contract which pays out delegates who have voted in the last 5 votes"... etc.

It's important to realize that Unlock Inc. has no way to force a decision to be executed or one to NOT be executed, and no way of limiting what users will submit as proposals.

### 3. Voting

Once a proposal has been submitted, it becomes available for voting in the next block (almost instantly). All delegates are invited to vote for 8 days. They can vote for (yes) or against (no) any proposal and the weight of their vote is based on the number of tokens that is collectively owned by all of the addresses who have delegated to them, at the time of the proposal. (it is useless to buy votes once a proposal has been submitted).

At the end of the period, the smart contract looks at the number of votes (quorum) and the proportion of approvals. We picked a quorum of _15,000 votes_. If quorum is not reached, the proposal has failed and nothing happens. Similarly, if the majority has not approved, the proposal has failed and nothing happens.

### 4. Execution

However, if the proposal is approved (majority of votes in favor), then the proposal gets sent to a time-lock contract. This contract is where the transaction will sit for 1 week, before being finally executed!

## Collaborating

The pre-requisite to any proposal is that all (or at least a majority of) token holders have delegated their votes. It is a critical step because _without it, no proposal can ever reach quorum_.

Additionally, we believe that it is critical for the community to discuss ideas prior to their submissions as proposals, as this helps delegates make informed decisions about their votes and helps prepare for consensus.

A few months ago, we launched the Unlock [Community forums](https://unlock.community/). We believe they are a good place for discussions to happen and we welcome them there! Of course, discussions can also happen anywhere online if the community adopts it.

Finally, we collaborated with the Tally team to make sure their front-end for DAOs was working well for our Governance contracts. It provides a [good interface](https://www.withtally.com/governance/unlock) for people to delegate their votes as well as submit proposals.

## Token Allocation

As part of the DAO launch, the Unlock Inc. team has allocated 10% of the pre-mine to the DAO. This first allocation provides a budget to the community who can already start to use the funds as they want. The allocation has been done through 2 mechanisms:

- 5,000 UDT immediately available. [first 'test' transaction](https://etherscan.io/tx/0x8d726c90d70817d8b865c13a38b85689f22fc9ab030db3a1742bdb5eefee3a92) and [second transaction](https://etherscan.io/tx/0xb220c3a5adfb633635ab056a65f83083847f0dc5c94eba26c84207270106807d),
- 95,000 UDT [distributed through a Sablier stream for 1 year](https://app.sablier.finance/stream/100400).

It is important for us to make sure that the DAO gets funding with vesting to ensure that not all tokens are spent immediately.

Additionally, we are transferring ownership of the LP tokens for the Uniswap V2 pool ([tx1](https://etherscan.io/tx/0x91d19da260fae927a2eb28fa6655838e1a32e226da6d82144753af2517042b9c) and [tx2](https://etherscan.io/tx/0x3733c7f6bdd42f3aa1e3478b661c32a214180be10d24e188f857d8f4ef3a2a88)) which was created at launch time in order to have a public price (as it is used to determine how many UDT are minted for the referrer on key purchases).

This is a _first_ allocation. We hope the community uses these funds to foster adoption of the protocol and we're excited to see the first few proposals!

## What is next?

Unlock Inc. has a few more important announcements to make in the next few weeks, especially around rewarding our early users and adopters, as well as around delegation. Our goal is to eventually fully decentralize the protocol by giving full control of the protocol to its community of users and developers. Please stay tuned!


As of today, our community can submit and vote on proposals, as well as spend some of the UDT treasury!

Marching toward full decentralization

Unlock DAO

From the beginning, our goal has been to build a shared infrastructure. The protocol itself should belong to its users and implementers, not to Unlock Inc. A few months ago, we released our governance token, <a href="/blog/unlock-tokens-launched">the Unlock Tokens</a>.
In the same way that new airline miles are created for every flight, new UDT are minted for every Unlock transaction (but contrary to airline miles, fewer and fewer are created). (<a href="https://docs.unlock-protocol.com/governance/the-unlock-token">read more about the tokenomics there</a>)
The purpose of these tokens is to give control and power to the developers, creators and users of the protocol. Today, we're announcing that we launched the Unlock DAO.
<img src="/images/blog/launching-unlock-discount-tokens/decentralized-unlock.jpg" alt="kale nixon">
<h2>What is the Unlock DAO?</h2>
There are many ways to think about Decentralized Autonomous Organizations. One way to think of it is as a system are working together toward a shared goal, by leveraging the internet and its networks as their main collaboration tool.
For the Unlock DAO, the participants are anyone who owns our governance token (or, as anyone who uses the protocol can earn some, anyone who used the protocol, even only once)
Similarly, the goal is the development of the protocol. This includes the technical aspects (writing new features in the core contracts), but also the marketing aspects (promoting the protocol), or even operational ones around the DAO itself.
The tools we use are the UDT tokens to get started, as the way to establish voting, but also a <a href="https://etherscan.io/address/0x440d9D4E66d39bb28FB58729Cb4D3ead2A595591">brand new Governance contract</a>. The Governance Contract uses OpenZeppelin's libraries (<a href="https://github.com/unlock-protocol/unlock/blob/master/smart-contracts/contracts/UnlockProtocolGovernor.sol">see our code</a>) and sets the process through which the DAO makes decision. To get started, we set a few defaults for these rules, but they can be altered by the community.
<h2>Making decisions</h2>
The Governance process includes 4 steps.
<h3>1. Delegating tokens</h3>
This is the first step and maybe the most important one. For many reasons, we don't expect all the UDT holders to vote on all propositions. For this, token holders can delegate their votes to anyone, and letting that address vote "on their behalf" for all proposals. Delegation can be changed at any point.
I want to insist on the fact that this is a crucial point as it ensures that voting is done a representative way: the more people delegate, the more "legit" a decision is! If you own any UDT, <a href="https://unlock.community/t/start-delegating-now/125/2">you should delegate NOW</a>.
<h3>2. Making a proposal</h3>
We decided that any token holder can make proposals. A proposal is basically a decision that gets executed "on chain". An example of proposal may be "send X Ether to Address Y", or "Swap X UDT to Ether", or "Deploy this contract which pays out delegates who have voted in the last 5 votes"... etc.
It's important to realize that Unlock Inc. has no way to force a decision to be executed or one to NOT be executed, and no way of limiting what users will submit as proposals.
<h3>3. Voting</h3>
Once a proposal has been submitted, it becomes available for voting in the next block (almost instantly). All delegates are invited to vote for 8 days. They can vote for (yes) or against (no) any proposal and the weight of their vote is based on the number of tokens that is collectively owned by all of the addresses who have delegated to them, at the time of the proposal. (it is useless to buy votes once a proposal has been submitted).
At the end of the period, the smart contract looks at the number of votes (quorum) and the proportion of approvals. We picked a quorum of 15,000 votes. If quorum is not reached, the proposal has failed and nothing happens. Similarly, if the majority has not approved, the proposal has failed and nothing happens.
<h3>4. Execution</h3>
However, if the proposal is approved (majority of votes in favor), then the proposal gets sent to a time-lock contract. This contract is where the transaction will sit for 1 week, before being finally executed!
<h2>Collaborating</h2>
The pre-requisite to any proposal is that all (or at least a majority of) token holders have delegated their votes. It is a critical step because without it, no proposal can ever reach quorum.
Additionally, we believe that it is critical for the community to discuss ideas prior to their submissions as proposals, as this helps delegates make informed decisions about their votes and helps prepare for consensus.
A few months ago, we launched the Unlock <a href="https://unlock.community/">Community forums</a>. We believe they are a good place for discussions to happen and we welcome them there! Of course, discussions can also happen anywhere online if the community adopts it.
Finally, we collaborated with the Tally team to make sure their front-end for DAOs was working well for our Governance contracts. It provides a <a href="https://www.withtally.com/governance/unlock">good interface</a> for people to delegate their votes as well as submit proposals.
<h2>Token Allocation</h2>
As part of the DAO launch, the Unlock Inc. team has allocated 10% of the pre-mine to the DAO. This first allocation provides a budget to the community who can already start to use the funds as they want. The allocation has been done through 2 mechanisms:
<ul>
<li>5,000 UDT immediately available. <a href="https://etherscan.io/tx/0x8d726c90d70817d8b865c13a38b85689f22fc9ab030db3a1742bdb5eefee3a92">first 'test' transaction</a> and <a href="https://etherscan.io/tx/0xb220c3a5adfb633635ab056a65f83083847f0dc5c94eba26c84207270106807d">second transaction</a>,</li>
<li>95,000 UDT <a href="https://app.sablier.finance/stream/100400">distributed through a Sablier stream for 1 year</a>.</li>
</ul>
It is important for us to make sure that the DAO gets funding with vesting to ensure that not all tokens are spent immediately.
Additionally, we are transferring ownership of the LP tokens for the Uniswap V2 pool (<a href="https://etherscan.io/tx/0x91d19da260fae927a2eb28fa6655838e1a32e226da6d82144753af2517042b9c">tx1</a> and <a href="https://etherscan.io/tx/0x3733c7f6bdd42f3aa1e3478b661c32a214180be10d24e188f857d8f4ef3a2a88">tx2</a>) which was created at launch time in order to have a public price (as it is used to determine how many UDT are minted for the referrer on key purchases).
This is a first allocation. We hope the community uses these funds to foster adoption of the protocol and we're excited to see the first few proposals!
<h2>What is next?</h2>
Unlock Inc. has a few more important announcements to make in the next few weeks, especially around rewarding our early users and adopters, as well as around delegation. Our goal is to eventually fully decentralize the protocol by giving full control of the protocol to its community of users and developers. Please stay tuned!


![reddit-ama](/images/blog/reddit-ama/reddit-ama.png)

Thanks to everyone who joined [the recent r/Cryptocurrency AMA](https://www.reddit.com/r/CryptoCurrency/comments/pu1xyc/im_the_founder_of_unlock_a_membership_protocol/) with our CEO Julien ([u/julien51](https://www.reddit.com/user/julien51/)) and adviser Amber ([u/Consistent\_\_Patience](https://www.reddit.com/user/Consistent__Patience)), and to the excellent hosts for helping make it happen. Here’s some highlights, starting with the most high level questions, then getting into the weeds on various use cases, and technical/company questions.

## **What’s Unlock Protocol & Why Do We Need It?**

### _Can you explain in layman’s terms here on Reddit what [Unlock] does? (u/who_loves_laksa)_

Unlock lets creators deploy a membership contract so that they can easily limit access to their content, work and community to people who have a valid membership!

You can think of Unlock as a decentralized version of Patreon but also not with a single platform. Imagine that if supporting a creator on Patreon would give them access to some secret/members-only content on their subreddit for example. Or to a private channel on their Discord, etc.

As an open web fan, I really want the core web protocols to include a monetization protocol so that the answer is not always "I'll sell my visitors attention". Generally, it looks like the web is moving toward more and more memberships. I don't want Apple and Google and Amazon to own that and we need an easy way to do that across the web, using the same patterns!

### _Why use Blockchain for your product? (u/KucingRumahan)_

Because we want memberships to be permissionless and decentralized. We don't want to build yet another middleman or gatekeeper.

### _Unlock seems like a good idea for people who already use ETH, but is it really a better or easier solution for people who just use fiat to buy tickets/subscriptions/etc.? If so, how? (u/geekteam6)_

I think it is also better for them! First, we support credit cards, which makes things much easier for them, but then we actually build a protocol, a standard way of handling all of their memberships, across many websites, applications or spaces.

Right now, each of my membership is on a different website, has different "terms" (can cancel only at certain times, etc.) and they are really hard to manage. I also can't transfer them to someone else.

Using a crypto wallet is an investment that I believe everyone will eventually make. Each year it's getting easier and soon people won't think too much about it. The hard part only happens once, and after that you're all set for all of your memberships, rather than creating new accounts on every web/app each time I want to get a membership!

### _Please explain more about how Unlock, Inc. monetizes the protocol? How do you make money?(u/ForeignShooter)_

That's a very good question! Unlock Inc. has built a credit card integration that lets users who do not have a wallet or those who have one but don't want to pay with their cryptocurrency purchase one with their credit card. When that happens, Unlock Inc. will take a small fee. (I should note that anyone else could build their own credit card integration on top of the protocol, we don't get “special access" or anything!).

We also believe there is value in holding governance tokens for a protocol that is widely used and we want to eventually keep about 20% of these governance tokens (the rest will be distributed to users of the protocol, thru grants and to the DAO).

### _Do you have a token? if so what are the tokenomics? (u/Greedy-Visit-1905)_

We have a governance token because we think every protocol should be governed by its community of users and developers. You can find more details about [it in our docs](https://docs.unlock-protocol.com/governance/the-unlock-token).

It's already started to get distributed. You can find the current breakdown on etherscan. As you can see [there] the company still owns about 78% of the supply but our goal is to eventually go down to about 20%. We have distributed a large amount of tokens to the DAO contract, and through grants.

## **Use Cases for Unlock**

### _Could Unlock be used as a payment system for creators in non-blockchain virtual worlds like VRChat or Second Life? If so, how? (u/slhamlet)_

Yes! Absolutely! First, as long as there is a way to display some kind of web-view or redirect the user to one, it is possible to get the user to authenticate (sign a message) and purchase a membership, using either crypto or their credit cards!

There's actually an integration with Decentraland right now, as well as Discord and other networks. In Decentraland, some users have locked access to a saloon! [More details here](https://unlock-protocol.com/blog/decentraland).

### _Do you think this could be used for something like a decentralized OnlyFans? (u/roymustang261)_

Absolutely! We even submitted a Request For Grants and two teams applied and have been building for the last few weeks! Combined with other technologies and protocols, we believe a fully decentralized UnlockFans is possible!

And also, we have [a wishlist of integrations we'd love to see built](https://www.notion.so/Request-for-Grants-9aac49be49124e70a88543bc79748555).  If you have ideas for building on any of these, [check out the grant program](https://unlock-protocol.com/blog/token-grant-program)!

## **Technical/Roadmap/Company Questions for Unlock**

### _Are there any automated workflows to assign NFT's in bulk? Is Unlock able to facilitate sets that contain thousands of item both in capacity as well as in the tools required to manage them? (u/Thefriendlyfaceplant)_

Yes! The lock contract has a grantKeys function that can be called by any lock manager (creator of the lock by default) to "air-drop" memberships to many users! We don't provide a UI for this, but it will come soon!

This is on the roadmap! Expect some updates on this by the end of the year. It's one of the most frequent requests! If you'd like to discuss more about what you're looking for in particular, please join the Discord and say hello!

### _How would [MOON] integration work? Is there any way to deploy a lock to a custom network?  If I create a lock on XDAI can I require users to pay in tokens on another network?  (u/nanooverbtc)_

No, you would need to deploy the lock on the same network as the currency you chose.

We are actually working on making it really easy to get deployed on any network [and] are working on releasing on Arbitrum in the next few days/weeks.

### _Can you tell me about the Unlock token (UDT)? What is the max supply? How is it minted? What's the distribution schedule? Benefits to holders etc? (u/Wargizmo)_

UDT does not currently have a max supply. It is actually built to be inflationary using a log curve (always more, but fewer and fewer more). The goal here is to reward all usage, but with a disproportionate amount to earlier users, who are contributing to the economies of scale.

This is a governance token, its main goal is to let protocol users and developers collectively decide on what they want the protocol to achieve, and how it should work in the long term.

[Here is some information](https://docs.unlock-protocol.com/governance/the-unlock-token) about UDT's tokenomics.

### _When is UDT going to list on bigger exchanges (u/Available-Ad-3713)_

Unlock has always been meant to be decentralized. Recently we deployed a governance contract which lets the community of token holders vote on proposals that they come up with! Unlock has always been meant to be decentralized. Recently we deployed a governance contract that lets the community of token holders vote on proposals that they come up with!

You can [join the governance channels here](https://unlock.community/).

### _I see that you are on [Coinbase Ventures](https://ventures.coinbase.com/). Can you explain how they are involved with Unlock? (u/ForeignShooter)_

Yes, they are an investor in Unlock Inc.! They participated in our first round of funding in the summer of 2018 and they own a small piece of equity in the company. (More info [can be found here](https://medium.com/unlock-protocol/unlocking-some-exciting-news-5ad0f3889375).)

### _What is the biggest barrier to entry for your project? (u/surrender_the_juice)_

Crypto adoption! Too few people have wallets, or even understand how to use one. It's coming, and I believe we're giving reasons to use wallet to people who are not into DeFi, but sometimes I wish it was faster!

[Read the whole thread here](https://www.reddit.com/r/CryptoCurrency/comments/pu1xyc/im_the_founder_of_unlock_a_membership_protocol/), especially if you’re already a member of r/Cryptocurrency and are interested in using Unlock with MOON, the community’s official token, because we go into much more MOON-y details there!


Unlock's CEO Julien Genestoux and adviser Amber Case answer Reddit's questions about Unlock

Julien Genestoux and Amber Case answer Reddit's questions about Unlock

Highlights from Unlock's Reddit AMA on r/Cryptocurrency!

<img src="/images/blog/reddit-ama/reddit-ama.png" alt="reddit-ama">
Thanks to everyone who joined <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/CryptoCurrency/comments/pu1xyc/im_the_founder_of_unlock_a_membership_protocol/">the recent r/Cryptocurrency AMA</a> with our CEO Julien (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/julien51/">u/julien51</a>) and adviser Amber (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Consistent__Patience">u/Consistent__Patience</a>), and to the excellent hosts for helping make it happen. Here’s some highlights, starting with the most high level questions, then getting into the weeds on various use cases, and technical/company questions.
<h2>What’s Unlock Protocol &#x26; Why Do We Need It?</h2>
<h3>Can you explain in layman’s terms here on Reddit what [Unlock] does? (u/who_loves_laksa)</h3>
Unlock lets creators deploy a membership contract so that they can easily limit access to their content, work and community to people who have a valid membership!
You can think of Unlock as a decentralized version of Patreon but also not with a single platform. Imagine that if supporting a creator on Patreon would give them access to some secret/members-only content on their subreddit for example. Or to a private channel on their Discord, etc.
As an open web fan, I really want the core web protocols to include a monetization protocol so that the answer is not always "I'll sell my visitors attention". Generally, it looks like the web is moving toward more and more memberships. I don't want Apple and Google and Amazon to own that and we need an easy way to do that across the web, using the same patterns!
<h3>Why use Blockchain for your product? (u/KucingRumahan)</h3>
Because we want memberships to be permissionless and decentralized. We don't want to build yet another middleman or gatekeeper.
<h3>Unlock seems like a good idea for people who already use ETH, but is it really a better or easier solution for people who just use fiat to buy tickets/subscriptions/etc.? If so, how? (u/geekteam6)</h3>
I think it is also better for them! First, we support credit cards, which makes things much easier for them, but then we actually build a protocol, a standard way of handling all of their memberships, across many websites, applications or spaces.
Right now, each of my membership is on a different website, has different "terms" (can cancel only at certain times, etc.) and they are really hard to manage. I also can't transfer them to someone else.
Using a crypto wallet is an investment that I believe everyone will eventually make. Each year it's getting easier and soon people won't think too much about it. The hard part only happens once, and after that you're all set for all of your memberships, rather than creating new accounts on every web/app each time I want to get a membership!
<h3>Please explain more about how Unlock, Inc. monetizes the protocol? How do you make money?(u/ForeignShooter)</h3>
That's a very good question! Unlock Inc. has built a credit card integration that lets users who do not have a wallet or those who have one but don't want to pay with their cryptocurrency purchase one with their credit card. When that happens, Unlock Inc. will take a small fee. (I should note that anyone else could build their own credit card integration on top of the protocol, we don't get “special access" or anything!).
We also believe there is value in holding governance tokens for a protocol that is widely used and we want to eventually keep about 20% of these governance tokens (the rest will be distributed to users of the protocol, thru grants and to the DAO).
<h3>Do you have a token? if so what are the tokenomics? (u/Greedy-Visit-1905)</h3>
We have a governance token because we think every protocol should be governed by its community of users and developers. You can find more details about <a href="https://docs.unlock-protocol.com/governance/the-unlock-token">it in our docs</a>.
It's already started to get distributed. You can find the current breakdown on etherscan. As you can see [there] the company still owns about 78% of the supply but our goal is to eventually go down to about 20%. We have distributed a large amount of tokens to the DAO contract, and through grants.
<h2>Use Cases for Unlock</h2>
<h3>Could Unlock be used as a payment system for creators in non-blockchain virtual worlds like VRChat or Second Life? If so, how? (u/slhamlet)</h3>
Yes! Absolutely! First, as long as there is a way to display some kind of web-view or redirect the user to one, it is possible to get the user to authenticate (sign a message) and purchase a membership, using either crypto or their credit cards!
There's actually an integration with Decentraland right now, as well as Discord and other networks. In Decentraland, some users have locked access to a saloon! <a href="https://unlock-protocol.com/blog/decentraland">More details here</a>.
<h3>Do you think this could be used for something like a decentralized OnlyFans? (u/roymustang261)</h3>
Absolutely! We even submitted a Request For Grants and two teams applied and have been building for the last few weeks! Combined with other technologies and protocols, we believe a fully decentralized UnlockFans is possible!
And also, we have <a href="https://www.notion.so/Request-for-Grants-9aac49be49124e70a88543bc79748555">a wishlist of integrations we'd love to see built</a>.  If you have ideas for building on any of these, <a href="https://unlock-protocol.com/blog/token-grant-program">check out the grant program</a>!
<h2>Technical/Roadmap/Company Questions for Unlock</h2>
<h3>Are there any automated workflows to assign NFT's in bulk? Is Unlock able to facilitate sets that contain thousands of item both in capacity as well as in the tools required to manage them? (u/Thefriendlyfaceplant)</h3>
Yes! The lock contract has a grantKeys function that can be called by any lock manager (creator of the lock by default) to "air-drop" memberships to many users! We don't provide a UI for this, but it will come soon!
This is on the roadmap! Expect some updates on this by the end of the year. It's one of the most frequent requests! If you'd like to discuss more about what you're looking for in particular, please join the Discord and say hello!
<h3>How would [MOON] integration work? Is there any way to deploy a lock to a custom network?  If I create a lock on XDAI can I require users to pay in tokens on another network?  (u/nanooverbtc)</h3>
No, you would need to deploy the lock on the same network as the currency you chose.
We are actually working on making it really easy to get deployed on any network [and] are working on releasing on Arbitrum in the next few days/weeks.
<h3>Can you tell me about the Unlock token (UDT)? What is the max supply? How is it minted? What's the distribution schedule? Benefits to holders etc? (u/Wargizmo)</h3>
UDT does not currently have a max supply. It is actually built to be inflationary using a log curve (always more, but fewer and fewer more). The goal here is to reward all usage, but with a disproportionate amount to earlier users, who are contributing to the economies of scale.
This is a governance token, its main goal is to let protocol users and developers collectively decide on what they want the protocol to achieve, and how it should work in the long term.
<a href="https://docs.unlock-protocol.com/governance/the-unlock-token">Here is some information</a> about UDT's tokenomics.
<h3>When is UDT going to list on bigger exchanges (u/Available-Ad-3713)</h3>
Unlock has always been meant to be decentralized. Recently we deployed a governance contract which lets the community of token holders vote on proposals that they come up with! Unlock has always been meant to be decentralized. Recently we deployed a governance contract that lets the community of token holders vote on proposals that they come up with!
You can <a href="https://unlock.community/">join the governance channels here</a>.
<h3>I see that you are on <a href="https://ventures.coinbase.com/">Coinbase Ventures</a>. Can you explain how they are involved with Unlock? (u/ForeignShooter)</h3>
Yes, they are an investor in Unlock Inc.! They participated in our first round of funding in the summer of 2018 and they own a small piece of equity in the company. (More info <a href="https://medium.com/unlock-protocol/unlocking-some-exciting-news-5ad0f3889375">can be found here</a>.)
<h3>What is the biggest barrier to entry for your project? (u/surrender_the_juice)</h3>
Crypto adoption! Too few people have wallets, or even understand how to use one. It's coming, and I believe we're giving reasons to use wallet to people who are not into DeFi, but sometimes I wish it was faster!
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/CryptoCurrency/comments/pu1xyc/im_the_founder_of_unlock_a_membership_protocol/">Read the whole thread here</a>, especially if you’re already a member of r/Cryptocurrency and are interested in using Unlock with MOON, the community’s official token, because we go into much more MOON-y details there!


Last month, Unlock Protocol participated in ETH Global’s [HackFS Hackathon](https://fs.ethglobal.com/) as a sponsor. The hackathon’s theme was to help build the web3 foundation, so of course, we were all over that mission!

![HackFS](/images/blog/hackfs/hackfs.png)

We’re so pleased that eight teams won a little $UDT for deploying our protocol in their projects. Seeing what’s possible with Unlock by such amazingly creative and brilliant dev teams is a pure delight for the Unlock team and we’re so excited we could support this hackathon.

The diversity of projects that each team who deployed our protocol in some aspect of their work really shows the depth of what's possible with Unlock. From gaming vaults with locked content, checkout components in e-commerce to collector cards; each of the following teams integrated Unlock in a way that shows the scope of what's possible with our protocol.

Here’s a quick look at all of the projects who deployed our protocol. Be sure to click through to the projects that interest you and follow these teams as some are continuing to build out the projects that began during HackFS.

### Projects Using Unlock

- [**Certificate Maker**](https://showcase.ethglobal.co/hackfs2021/certificate-maker-nft) is a dApp where users can use a certificate template to generate a certificate and upload it to IPFS. [Source Code](https://github.com/ysongh/Certificate-Maker) | [Demo Link](https://certificatemarkernft.netlify.app/)

- [**Game Vault**](https://showcase.ethglobal.co/hackfs2021/games-vault) is a decentralized game distribution eco-system including a game NFT marketplace, game libraries, and a developer portal with profile and game upload functionality. [Source Code](https://github.com/afk-mario/gamesvault) | [Demo Link](https://gamesvault.on.fleek.co/)

- [**Metamark**](https://showcase.ethglobal.co/hackfs2021/metamark) creates a trusted note manager to make data secure, encrypted and easier to access. [Source Code](https://github.com/arifDannyHermawan/metamark)

- [\*\*Metacards](https://showcase.ethglobal.co/hackfs2021/metacards-v2)\*\* is a platform their where people can mint their own Trading Card Set as NFTs and enable fans to access exclusive content through their NFT. [Source Code](https://github.com/kliyer-ai/metacards-hackfs) | [Demo Link](https://trymetacards.com/)

- [**Puma iOS**](https://showcase.ethglobal.co/hackfs2021/puma-ios-eth-unlock-web3-storage-preview) is a mobile ETH wallet powered by Unlock and [Web3.storage](http://web3.storage/).

- [**Upld**](https://showcase.ethglobal.co/hackfs2021/upld) is a video-sharing website built on IPFS and uses Unlock to help content creators monetize their work without ads. [Source Code](https://github.com/sergioneo/upld-webapp) | [Demo Link](https://red-forest-8795.on.fleek.co/#/v/QmNnJUUFG6J2afeCqofGKCfpEcUJ5uB3yvsdFyxGpv7Yq8)

- [**Googli.eth**](https://showcase.ethglobal.co/hackfs2021/googli-eth) is striving to create a blockchain-based notary service where the final document is minted as an NFT. [Source Code](https://github.com/jefedeoro/googli.eth | [Demo Link](https://googli.eth.link)

- [**CheckoutFS**](https://showcase.ethglobal.co/hackfs2021/checkoutfs) allows people to create instant checkout pages for your business or service hosted on IPFS. [Source Code](https://github.com/cbonoz/hackfs21) | [Demo Link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPREubF3XpY&feature=youtu.be)

We also deployed our [Unlock integration with Snapshot](https://snapshot.org/#/unlock-community.eth/proposal/QmNUshHjfXfopBaMdrQiwk2eVZB1ow2ULM6ZfCXZhzYa61) and asked our community to vote on their favorite projects. Every community member holding an active Unlock membership was able to vote and the following projects made the top of the list:

1. Certificate Maker
2. Games Vault
3. Metamark
4. Metacards

Supporting hackathons and the hackers who are helping build the foundational technology of web3 is a great pleasure and honor for our team. We're so delighted to see all the hard work, ingenuity, and creativity that went into each project (especially those who deployed Unlock). We look forward to seeing these projects take on a new life outside of the hackathon setting and are here to help everyone using Unlock to build a better internet!

Hop into [our Discord](https://discord.gg/Ah6ZEJyTDp) chat with our community and devs, bounce your ideas on integrations, and when you touch on an idea you'd like to breathe life into-- [apply for our grant program!](https://share.hsforms.com/1gAdLgNOESNCWJ9bJxCUAMwbvg22) We're community-driven and we want to support YOUR vision of web3!


We’re so pleased that eight teams won a little $UDT for deploying our protocol in their projects. Seeing what’s possible with Unlock by such amazingly creative and brilliant dev teams is a pure delight for the Unlock team.

HackFS Winning Projects Using Unlock Protocol

Last month, Unlock Protocol participated in ETH Global’s <a href="https://fs.ethglobal.com/">HackFS Hackathon</a> as a sponsor. The hackathon’s theme was to help build the web3 foundation, so of course, we were all over that mission!
<img src="/images/blog/hackfs/hackfs.png" alt="HackFS">
We’re so pleased that eight teams won a little $UDT for deploying our protocol in their projects. Seeing what’s possible with Unlock by such amazingly creative and brilliant dev teams is a pure delight for the Unlock team and we’re so excited we could support this hackathon.
The diversity of projects that each team who deployed our protocol in some aspect of their work really shows the depth of what's possible with Unlock. From gaming vaults with locked content, checkout components in e-commerce to collector cards; each of the following teams integrated Unlock in a way that shows the scope of what's possible with our protocol.
Here’s a quick look at all of the projects who deployed our protocol. Be sure to click through to the projects that interest you and follow these teams as some are continuing to build out the projects that began during HackFS.
<h3>Projects Using Unlock</h3>
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://showcase.ethglobal.co/hackfs2021/certificate-maker-nft">Certificate Maker</a> is a dApp where users can use a certificate template to generate a certificate and upload it to IPFS. <a href="https://github.com/ysongh/Certificate-Maker">Source Code</a> | <a href="https://certificatemarkernft.netlify.app/">Demo Link</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://showcase.ethglobal.co/hackfs2021/games-vault">Game Vault</a> is a decentralized game distribution eco-system including a game NFT marketplace, game libraries, and a developer portal with profile and game upload functionality. <a href="https://github.com/afk-mario/gamesvault">Source Code</a> | <a href="https://gamesvault.on.fleek.co/">Demo Link</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://showcase.ethglobal.co/hackfs2021/metamark">Metamark</a> creates a trusted note manager to make data secure, encrypted and easier to access. <a href="https://github.com/arifDannyHermawan/metamark">Source Code</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://showcase.ethglobal.co/hackfs2021/metacards-v2">**Metacards</a>** is a platform their where people can mint their own Trading Card Set as NFTs and enable fans to access exclusive content through their NFT. <a href="https://github.com/kliyer-ai/metacards-hackfs">Source Code</a> | <a href="https://trymetacards.com/">Demo Link</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://showcase.ethglobal.co/hackfs2021/puma-ios-eth-unlock-web3-storage-preview">Puma iOS</a> is a mobile ETH wallet powered by Unlock and <a href="http://web3.storage/">Web3.storage</a>.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://showcase.ethglobal.co/hackfs2021/upld">Upld</a> is a video-sharing website built on IPFS and uses Unlock to help content creators monetize their work without ads. <a href="https://github.com/sergioneo/upld-webapp">Source Code</a> | <a href="https://red-forest-8795.on.fleek.co/#/v/QmNnJUUFG6J2afeCqofGKCfpEcUJ5uB3yvsdFyxGpv7Yq8">Demo Link</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://showcase.ethglobal.co/hackfs2021/googli-eth">Googli.eth</a> is striving to create a blockchain-based notary service where the final document is minted as an NFT. [Source Code](https://github.com/jefedeoro/googli.eth | <a href="https://googli.eth.link">Demo Link</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://showcase.ethglobal.co/hackfs2021/checkoutfs">CheckoutFS</a> allows people to create instant checkout pages for your business or service hosted on IPFS. <a href="https://github.com/cbonoz/hackfs21">Source Code</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPREubF3XpY&#x26;feature=youtu.be">Demo Link</a>
</li>
</ul>
We also deployed our <a href="https://snapshot.org/#/unlock-community.eth/proposal/QmNUshHjfXfopBaMdrQiwk2eVZB1ow2ULM6ZfCXZhzYa61">Unlock integration with Snapshot</a> and asked our community to vote on their favorite projects. Every community member holding an active Unlock membership was able to vote and the following projects made the top of the list:
<ol>
<li>Certificate Maker</li>
<li>Games Vault</li>
<li>Metamark</li>
<li>Metacards</li>
</ol>
Supporting hackathons and the hackers who are helping build the foundational technology of web3 is a great pleasure and honor for our team. We're so delighted to see all the hard work, ingenuity, and creativity that went into each project (especially those who deployed Unlock). We look forward to seeing these projects take on a new life outside of the hackathon setting and are here to help everyone using Unlock to build a better internet!
Hop into <a href="https://discord.gg/Ah6ZEJyTDp">our Discord</a> chat with our community and devs, bounce your ideas on integrations, and when you touch on an idea you'd like to breathe life into-- <a href="https://share.hsforms.com/1gAdLgNOESNCWJ9bJxCUAMwbvg22">apply for our grant program!</a> We're community-driven and we want to support YOUR vision of web3!


![kale nixon](/images/blog/kale-nixon/unlockgrant-kalenixon.jpg)

Supporting creators and artists is one of our core objectives at Unlock. We strongly believe in empowering artists to control and monetize their content in a manner that allows the artist to create a thriving income from their art and never sacrifice the connection to their fans and community.

We’re thrilled to have musician, producer, and performer Kale Nixon on board as a grantee! Kale will be integrating Unlock with the various aspects of their online presence and creating examples of how Unlock can support creators, musicians, and more.

> Kale is specifically exploring “using Unlock on my site, as well as building a static site on Neocities with links to download Max patches, Ableton tools, and albums. In addition to using Unlock on my site, I'm interested in helping document, write about and create online workshops about the experience of using Unlock so that other creators have more tools for direct monetization as independent creators online.”

This project supports further Unlock integrations for the creator economy but also focuses on educating the creator community. As noted in Kale’s proposal, many of their community members might not have developer skills but are actively seeking solutions for decentralizing their creations.

**Why This Project?**

We’re excited about supporting creators that are interested in building demos, educating the wider community about Unlock, and are interested in experimenting with all of the different ways creators can use Unlock for their projects.

**Looking Forward**

We’re excited to have such an insightful project in our grant program and are wishing Kale all the best as they build this powerful integration for the creators, artists and musicians entering this new Web3 world.

If you’d like to join our Discord to connect with Kale about the project or explore some ideas of your own, please [join us here](https://discord.gg/Ah6ZEJyTDp).

AND if you already have an idea for an integration using Unlock, please submit your project [proposal here](https://share.hsforms.com/1gAdLgNOESNCWJ9bJxCUAMwbvg22).

Unlock Protocol is driven by and for our community. We’re here to help YOU build the future path of blockchain technology and together we’ll explore all that’s possible with community and decentralization as our core foundations. [Join the conversation.](https://unlock.community/)


We’re thrilled to have musician, producer, and performer Kale Nixon on board as a grantee! Kale will be integrating Unlock with the various aspects of their online presence and creating examples of how Unlock can support creators, musicians, and more

Grantee Kale Nixon Explores Unlock Integrations for Musicians

Integration & Education for Musicians, Creators & Artists

<img src="/images/blog/kale-nixon/unlockgrant-kalenixon.jpg" alt="kale nixon">
Supporting creators and artists is one of our core objectives at Unlock. We strongly believe in empowering artists to control and monetize their content in a manner that allows the artist to create a thriving income from their art and never sacrifice the connection to their fans and community.
We’re thrilled to have musician, producer, and performer Kale Nixon on board as a grantee! Kale will be integrating Unlock with the various aspects of their online presence and creating examples of how Unlock can support creators, musicians, and more.
<blockquote>
Kale is specifically exploring “using Unlock on my site, as well as building a static site on Neocities with links to download Max patches, Ableton tools, and albums. In addition to using Unlock on my site, I'm interested in helping document, write about and create online workshops about the experience of using Unlock so that other creators have more tools for direct monetization as independent creators online.”
</blockquote>
This project supports further Unlock integrations for the creator economy but also focuses on educating the creator community. As noted in Kale’s proposal, many of their community members might not have developer skills but are actively seeking solutions for decentralizing their creations.
Why This Project?
We’re excited about supporting creators that are interested in building demos, educating the wider community about Unlock, and are interested in experimenting with all of the different ways creators can use Unlock for their projects.
Looking Forward
We’re excited to have such an insightful project in our grant program and are wishing Kale all the best as they build this powerful integration for the creators, artists and musicians entering this new Web3 world.
If you’d like to join our Discord to connect with Kale about the project or explore some ideas of your own, please <a href="https://discord.gg/Ah6ZEJyTDp">join us here</a>.
AND if you already have an idea for an integration using Unlock, please submit your project <a href="https://share.hsforms.com/1gAdLgNOESNCWJ9bJxCUAMwbvg22">proposal here</a>.
Unlock Protocol is driven by and for our community. We’re here to help YOU build the future path of blockchain technology and together we’ll explore all that’s possible with community and decentralization as our core foundations. <a href="https://unlock.community/">Join the conversation.</a>

# How musicians can use Unlock

For musicians, [Unlock Protocol](http://unlock-protocol.com/) (and other Web 3.0 tooling) enables many new ways to be supported by their community. By selling “keys” (NFTs) to "locks" and integrating them with different services, musicians can do a number of unique things -- from allowing paywalled blog posts, to private Discord servers, to members-only access to docs and services **across the web**.

It’s part of a web 3.0 future where creators are empowered to fully own the connection with their audience, independent of particular platforms. For musicians, Unlock allows artists to be directly supported by their community and create a unique membership experience.

Jack Spallone recently wrote a blog post about [31 Ideas For Music + Crypto](https://jack.mirror.xyz/CLVl8maTxlphqKP6eZ1oQ1CJJKT1mvQk7cSflu8g_Lg) which contains many ideas that could be achieved with Unlock Protocol. Here are some of them.

![Musician](/images/blog/musicians-use-unlock/musician.jpg)

### NFTs as patronage

Similar to a platform like Patreon, you could represent tiers of membership or access with different NFTs created through Unlock. As an example, think of this like 3 levels of access you may provide on a platform like Patreon, except each tier is a different NFT for purchase -- allowing for patronage perks to be _independent of any one platform_.

### Tokens as access

Locks through Unlock can allow fans and listeners to get access to songs, merch discounts, or even Google Docs. Is there a specific piece of content, knowledge, or media that your community would like to access? You can create NFTs as access passes without creating a full membership program.

Check [this example by Zplit](https://zplit.online/xdai/)!

### Retroactive airdrops

Musicians could airdrop Unlock NFT passes to their audience which can enable access to things like a library of material (samples, archives, stems), merch discounts, or early access.

### Scarce music releases

Limit access to new or unreleased material for members that hold an Unlock NFT. Because Unlock allows you to specify a maximum number of a particular NFT that can be purchased, you can make a release as scarce or as available as you'd like.

### NFTs + social tokens

If you are an artist that uses a social token, Unlock locks could be used in coordination with them. For instance, you could reward the most loyal holders of your social token with a special Unlock NFT. Or, you could gift your social token to people that purchase memberships through Unlock.

### Create a virtual venue

Through a [Decentraland](/blog/decentraland) integration, you can create a virtual venue that allows members to join -- and even buy access at the door!

Learn more here and see an example [using Unlock here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3kPUXdDr80).

### Other Integration Ideas

- Gate blog content on your website [(webflow, wordpress)](https://docs.unlock-protocol.com/move-to-guides/plugins-and-integrations/wordpress-plugin)
- Gate access to soundcloud or audius links and tracks
- Added perks (zoom meetings, guest list spots, etc)

Photo credit by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@gabrielgurrola">Gabriel</a>

For musicians, Unlock Protocol (and other Web 3.0 tooling) enables many new ways to be supported by their community.

For musicians, Unlock Protocol enables many new ways to be supported by their community.

How musicians can use Unlock

<h1>How musicians can use Unlock</h1>
For musicians, <a href="http://unlock-protocol.com/">Unlock Protocol</a> (and other Web 3.0 tooling) enables many new ways to be supported by their community. By selling “keys” (NFTs) to "locks" and integrating them with different services, musicians can do a number of unique things -- from allowing paywalled blog posts, to private Discord servers, to members-only access to docs and services across the web.
It’s part of a web 3.0 future where creators are empowered to fully own the connection with their audience, independent of particular platforms. For musicians, Unlock allows artists to be directly supported by their community and create a unique membership experience.
Jack Spallone recently wrote a blog post about <a href="https://jack.mirror.xyz/CLVl8maTxlphqKP6eZ1oQ1CJJKT1mvQk7cSflu8g_Lg">31 Ideas For Music + Crypto</a> which contains many ideas that could be achieved with Unlock Protocol. Here are some of them.
<img src="/images/blog/musicians-use-unlock/musician.jpg" alt="Musician">
<h3>NFTs as patronage</h3>
Similar to a platform like Patreon, you could represent tiers of membership or access with different NFTs created through Unlock. As an example, think of this like 3 levels of access you may provide on a platform like Patreon, except each tier is a different NFT for purchase -- allowing for patronage perks to be independent of any one platform.
<h3>Tokens as access</h3>
Locks through Unlock can allow fans and listeners to get access to songs, merch discounts, or even Google Docs. Is there a specific piece of content, knowledge, or media that your community would like to access? You can create NFTs as access passes without creating a full membership program.
Check <a href="https://zplit.online/xdai/">this example by Zplit</a>!
<h3>Retroactive airdrops</h3>
Musicians could airdrop Unlock NFT passes to their audience which can enable access to things like a library of material (samples, archives, stems), merch discounts, or early access.
<h3>Scarce music releases</h3>
Limit access to new or unreleased material for members that hold an Unlock NFT. Because Unlock allows you to specify a maximum number of a particular NFT that can be purchased, you can make a release as scarce or as available as you'd like.
<h3>NFTs + social tokens</h3>
If you are an artist that uses a social token, Unlock locks could be used in coordination with them. For instance, you could reward the most loyal holders of your social token with a special Unlock NFT. Or, you could gift your social token to people that purchase memberships through Unlock.
<h3>Create a virtual venue</h3>
Through a <a href="/blog/decentraland">Decentraland</a> integration, you can create a virtual venue that allows members to join -- and even buy access at the door!
Learn more here and see an example <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3kPUXdDr80">using Unlock here</a>.
<h3>Other Integration Ideas</h3>
<ul>
<li>Gate blog content on your website <a href="https://docs.unlock-protocol.com/move-to-guides/plugins-and-integrations/wordpress-plugin">(webflow, wordpress)</a></li>
<li>Gate access to soundcloud or audius links and tracks</li>
<li>Added perks (zoom meetings, guest list spots, etc)</li>
</ul>
Photo credit by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@gabrielgurrola">Gabriel</a>


Unlock Grantee Austin Robey recently concocted one of the most practical applications of NFTs I’ve ever seen using Unlock’s protocol: Meeting IRL over a great meal.

![DinnerDAO](/images/blog/dinnerdao/dinnerdao.png)

The first [Dinner DAO](https://mmm.page/dinnerdao.main)!

Inspired by the logic and tooling of DAOs (decentralized autonomous organizations), Austin’s Dinner DAO aims to bring the essential human experience of breaking bread together into our online communities -- especially through this pandemic, when so much of our work and social interactions have moved online, and face-to-face meetings have become difficult to plan.

Here’s how the Dinner DAO works:

- Members join a chapter by purchasing a season pass NFT, created by clicking the App button and connecting your Metamask wallet on [Unlock](https://unlock-protocol.com/)
- Funds are pooled in a shared treasury ([dinnerdao.eth](https://etherscan.io/address/dinnerdao.eth))
- The Unlock NFT allows for gated access to the Dinner DAO’s private Discord channels
- Members vote on dinner proposals on [snapshot](https://snapshot.org/#/dinnerdao.eth)
- For the meal itself, one member pays the restaurant with USD through a Coinbase card; he or she is then reimbursed with from the Dinner DAO’s collective treasury.

![DinnerDAO](/images/blog/dinnerdao/dashboard.png)

Building a lock and checkout page on Unlock!

For Austin’s first Dinner DAO, his group shared a fantastic Mediterranean meal together at [Shoo Shoo Nolita](https://shooshoonolita.com/) in New York. I’m helping launch a Portland chapter, and Austin is expanding the DAO to other cities around the world.

![DinnerDAO](/images/blog/dinnerdao/photo.jpg)

The very first Dinner Dao in New York!

With more than 7 million new accounts with Ethereum balances added this year, bringing the total to over 55 million (according to the Wall Street Journal), we’re hopeful interest in the Dinner DAOs will quickly go global.

We are also planning to partner with local restaurants, and create larger events to which non-members can purchase one-time tickets. There’s even plans to turn the Dinner DAO into a year-long film festival/watch party: Buy an NFT that gives you a season pass to see one movie a month, then enjoy a group dinner after the show.

## Dinner is just the start; think DAO for Good

Virtually any small community, or network of communities, can use Austin’s Dinner DAO model to represent membership and democratically pool and distribute resources. For instance, a DAO for live concerts, a crowdfunder, a mutual aid organization, and beyond.

I’d love to hear about your ideas, and connect you with the right resources and people, to make your DAO idea a reality.

[Join the Dinner DAO Discord to get involved](https://discord.gg/6XMVcvBKBX)!


Unlock Grantee Austin Robey recently concocted one of the most practical applications of NFTs I’ve ever seen using Unlock’s protocol: Meeting IRL over a great meal.

Dinner DAO: How to Have Your NFTs & Eat Them Too!

Dinner DAO

Unlock Grantee Austin Robey recently concocted one of the most practical applications of NFTs I’ve ever seen using Unlock’s protocol: Meeting IRL over a great meal.
<img src="/images/blog/dinnerdao/dinnerdao.png" alt="DinnerDAO">
The first <a href="https://mmm.page/dinnerdao.main">Dinner DAO</a>!
Inspired by the logic and tooling of DAOs (decentralized autonomous organizations), Austin’s Dinner DAO aims to bring the essential human experience of breaking bread together into our online communities -- especially through this pandemic, when so much of our work and social interactions have moved online, and face-to-face meetings have become difficult to plan.
Here’s how the Dinner DAO works:
<ul>
<li>Members join a chapter by purchasing a season pass NFT, created by clicking the App button and connecting your Metamask wallet on <a href="https://unlock-protocol.com/">Unlock</a></li>
<li>Funds are pooled in a shared treasury (<a href="https://etherscan.io/address/dinnerdao.eth">dinnerdao.eth</a>)</li>
<li>The Unlock NFT allows for gated access to the Dinner DAO’s private Discord channels</li>
<li>Members vote on dinner proposals on <a href="https://snapshot.org/#/dinnerdao.eth">snapshot</a></li>
<li>For the meal itself, one member pays the restaurant with USD through a Coinbase card; he or she is then reimbursed with from the Dinner DAO’s collective treasury.</li>
</ul>
<img src="/images/blog/dinnerdao/dashboard.png" alt="DinnerDAO">
Building a lock and checkout page on Unlock!
For Austin’s first Dinner DAO, his group shared a fantastic Mediterranean meal together at <a href="https://shooshoonolita.com/">Shoo Shoo Nolita</a> in New York. I’m helping launch a Portland chapter, and Austin is expanding the DAO to other cities around the world.
<img src="/images/blog/dinnerdao/photo.jpg" alt="DinnerDAO">
The very first Dinner Dao in New York!
With more than 7 million new accounts with Ethereum balances added this year, bringing the total to over 55 million (according to the Wall Street Journal), we’re hopeful interest in the Dinner DAOs will quickly go global.
We are also planning to partner with local restaurants, and create larger events to which non-members can purchase one-time tickets. There’s even plans to turn the Dinner DAO into a year-long film festival/watch party: Buy an NFT that gives you a season pass to see one movie a month, then enjoy a group dinner after the show.
<h2>Dinner is just the start; think DAO for Good</h2>
Virtually any small community, or network of communities, can use Austin’s Dinner DAO model to represent membership and democratically pool and distribute resources. For instance, a DAO for live concerts, a crowdfunder, a mutual aid organization, and beyond.
I’d love to hear about your ideas, and connect you with the right resources and people, to make your DAO idea a reality.
<a href="https://discord.gg/6XMVcvBKBX">Join the Dinner DAO Discord to get involved</a>!


Every single application, whether it is built for the web, for mobile devices, or computer can be monetized with Unlock! Memberships are an elegant way to restrict access to some content, features or even APIs. Today, we're excited to showcase the work of the [Novum Insights](https://novuminsights.com/) team who have shipped a integration of Unlock with [Firebase](https://firebase.google.com/)!

Firebase is a platform developed by Google for creating mobile and web applications. It is a framework which includes both server and client sides components for easy development and deployments.

David Layton, from the Novum Insights team built an integration between Unlock and Firebase.

## High level developer flow

The first step is to install the [NPM package](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@novuminsights/unlock-protocol-firebase) for the integration `@novum/unlock-firebase-integration`, then your application needs to authenticate its users by requesting users to sign a message. The backend will then **map** a Firebase Authentication user with their Ethereum wallet.

```javascript
import 'firebase/auth'
import 'firebase/functions'
import { signInWithWeb3 } from '@novum/unlock-firebase-integration/lib/browser'

const app = firebase.initializeApp(firebaseConfig)
const signInButton = document.querySelector('#MyButton')
signInButton.onclick = () => signInWithWeb3(app)
```

Finally, once the users are mapped to their wallet you can easily configure your application to behave differently based on which locks the users have unlocked!

You can define these using a configuration file `unlock-integration.config.json` which maps lock addresses to _roles_ like that:

```javascript
{
    "networks": {
        "mainnet": {
            // ...
            "locks": {
                "0x361Ddf540e27632D80dDE806EAa76AC42A0e15F6": ["basic_subscription"]
            }
        },
    },
}
```

In that example, any user who has a valid membership to the lock `0x361Ddf540e27632D80dDE806EAa76AC42A0e15F6` will have the role `basic_subscription`

Finally you can alter the behavior of your application on the front-end or backend using the `context.auth` object.

```javascript
async function hasBasicSubscription(context) {
  const auth = context.auth
  /// ...
  return auth.token.basic_subscription === true
}
```

Check the [Unlock Firebase integration docs](https://david-layton.gitbook.io/novum/) for more info!

## A Novum Insights membership!

Novum Insights is a powerful DeFi tool that lets investors identify **Momentum Pairs** of crypto tokens. Novum Insights is now offering an Unlock based membership that uses their Firebase integration! Right now, they have a 1 year limited edition for Eth 0.04 (50% off!)

Get [your Novum Membership today](https://novuminsights.com/)!


The team at Novum Insights has received a grant to build a Firebase integration to let any developer on that platform easily integrate a membership in their application!

You can now easily add an Unlock membership to any Firebase application

Firebase integration

Every single application, whether it is built for the web, for mobile devices, or computer can be monetized with Unlock! Memberships are an elegant way to restrict access to some content, features or even APIs. Today, we're excited to showcase the work of the <a href="https://novuminsights.com/">Novum Insights</a> team who have shipped a integration of Unlock with <a href="https://firebase.google.com/">Firebase</a>!
Firebase is a platform developed by Google for creating mobile and web applications. It is a framework which includes both server and client sides components for easy development and deployments.
David Layton, from the Novum Insights team built an integration between Unlock and Firebase.
<h2>High level developer flow</h2>
The first step is to install the <a href="https://www.npmjs.com/package/@novuminsights/unlock-protocol-firebase">NPM package</a> for the integration <code>@novum/unlock-firebase-integration</code>, then your application needs to authenticate its users by requesting users to sign a message. The backend will then map a Firebase Authentication user with their Ethereum wallet.
<pre><code class="language-javascript">import 'firebase/auth'
import 'firebase/functions'
import { signInWithWeb3 } from '@novum/unlock-firebase-integration/lib/browser'

const app = firebase.initializeApp(firebaseConfig)
const signInButton = document.querySelector('#MyButton')
signInButton.onclick = () => signInWithWeb3(app)
</code></pre>
Finally, once the users are mapped to their wallet you can easily configure your application to behave differently based on which locks the users have unlocked!
You can define these using a configuration file <code>unlock-integration.config.json</code> which maps lock addresses to roles like that:
<pre><code class="language-javascript">{
 "networks": {
 "mainnet": {
 // ...
 "locks": {
 "0x361Ddf540e27632D80dDE806EAa76AC42A0e15F6": ["basic_subscription"]
 }
 },
 },
}
</code></pre>
In that example, any user who has a valid membership to the lock <code>0x361Ddf540e27632D80dDE806EAa76AC42A0e15F6</code> will have the role <code>basic_subscription</code>
Finally you can alter the behavior of your application on the front-end or backend using the <code>context.auth</code> object.
<pre><code class="language-javascript">async function hasBasicSubscription(context) {
 const auth = context.auth
 /// ...
 return auth.token.basic_subscription === true
}
</code></pre>
Check the <a href="https://david-layton.gitbook.io/novum/">Unlock Firebase integration docs</a> for more info!
<h2>A Novum Insights membership!</h2>
Novum Insights is a powerful DeFi tool that lets investors identify Momentum Pairs of crypto tokens. Novum Insights is now offering an Unlock based membership that uses their Firebase integration! Right now, they have a 1 year limited edition for Eth 0.04 (50% off!)
Get <a href="https://novuminsights.com/">your Novum Membership today</a>!


Hello everyone! Let me warmly introduce [Amber Case](https://twitter.com/caseorganic) to the Unlock community. Someone I’ve known and admired for years, Amber is a UX expert, a Mozilla Fellow working on the future of money, and a powerful advocate of the open web. ([Full bio here](https://www.caseorganic.com/about).)

![Amber Case](/images/blog/amber-case.png)

Amber is joining the Unlock team as a strategic advisor who’ll drive our partnerships with creators, communities, and companies, while improving our protocol’s user experience. And we’re both excited about the wide and amazing variety of applications we’ve already seen bubble up in such a short time, including:

**Credit Card/Stripe support/Shopify Support**: [Announced last June](https://unlock-protocol.com/blog/credit-card-nft), your customers can now buy Unlock memberships and products with fiat cash/credit -- an important option to grow your revenue base. Amber will also help us perfect our Unlock plug-in for Shopify, the online store/brick and mortar payment system used by nearly 2 million businesses worldwide. Once completed, Unlock users will be able to make retail purchases via their crypto wallet!

**Discord integration**: [The Swordy Bot](https://unlock-protocol.com/blog/swordy-bot-intro) by community builder Patrick Gallagher limits access to select Discord servers to those who've bought a special Unlock-based NFT; a great way to help sustain a community on Discord.

**Decentraland and other games**: Unlock community member and grant recipient Henry recently made it simple for fellow Decentraland developers to [build memberships on their parcels](https://unlock-protocol.com/blog/decentraland). We think we’ll see many more game developers using Unlock to grant access to their content, to communities across the Internet. For example, an indie dev could set up a Discord server (see above) with member-only channels mapped to their games' memberships.

**WordPress**: As I learned during my time with Medium, it remains incredibly difficult to monetize journalism, creative writing and other content on the Internet without having to rely on intrusive advertising or third party donation/patronage platforms. Amber will help us improve the UX for our [plug-in for WordPress](https://wordpress-demo.unlock-protocol.com/) (the backbone to 1 in 3 websites), which will enable writers and other site hosts to easily create a content unlock for a subscription or micropayment -- with no third party taking a cut of their revenue.

**Musicians**: We love how Mexican artist Zplit uses Unlock to sell their music. When you [go to this page](https://zplit.online/xdai/), you need to purchase a key using Unlock Protocol to access the full version. Once it’s unlocked, the audio player will load the full track, and the artwork will start spinning. (This app runs using Metamask on the xDai Network.)

**Fundraising/Crowdfunding**: Unlock grantee Austin Robey recently concocted an amazing idea for a protocol utilization: a "[dinner dao](https://mmm.page/dinnerdao.mainv", i.e. a dinner club where memberships can be purchased through Unlock until enough funds are raised for the whole group to enjoy a special dinner. While this is a fun way for people to treat themselves to a fun and convivial night out, the very same process can be used to fundraise/crowdfund for an infinite variety of causes.

**Ticket sales**: Already used by the [Ethereum Community Conference](https://unlock-protocol.com/blog/ethcc-tickets) last July in Paris, other upcoming conferences (like [Liscon](https://liscon.org/!) are leveraging Unlock to sell tickets (via crypto or fiat) and manage attendees.

With Amber’s guidance, these are just the start to the many use cases that will soon emerge from Unlock. More details soon, and [don’t forget to join us in our Discord](https://discord.gg/Ha9fGnKgUV)!


Welcome UX/Monetization Expert Amber Case as Strategic Advisor to Unlock! Here’s the Kind of Applications & Partnerships She'll Help Build With Our Community

Amber Case joins Unlock

Hello everyone! Let me warmly introduce <a href="https://twitter.com/caseorganic">Amber Case</a> to the Unlock community. Someone I’ve known and admired for years, Amber is a UX expert, a Mozilla Fellow working on the future of money, and a powerful advocate of the open web. (<a href="https://www.caseorganic.com/about">Full bio here</a>.)
<img src="/images/blog/amber-case.png" alt="Amber Case">
Amber is joining the Unlock team as a strategic advisor who’ll drive our partnerships with creators, communities, and companies, while improving our protocol’s user experience. And we’re both excited about the wide and amazing variety of applications we’ve already seen bubble up in such a short time, including:
Credit Card/Stripe support/Shopify Support: <a href="https://unlock-protocol.com/blog/credit-card-nft">Announced last June</a>, your customers can now buy Unlock memberships and products with fiat cash/credit -- an important option to grow your revenue base. Amber will also help us perfect our Unlock plug-in for Shopify, the online store/brick and mortar payment system used by nearly 2 million businesses worldwide. Once completed, Unlock users will be able to make retail purchases via their crypto wallet!
Discord integration: <a href="https://unlock-protocol.com/blog/swordy-bot-intro">The Swordy Bot</a> by community builder Patrick Gallagher limits access to select Discord servers to those who've bought a special Unlock-based NFT; a great way to help sustain a community on Discord.
Decentraland and other games: Unlock community member and grant recipient Henry recently made it simple for fellow Decentraland developers to <a href="https://unlock-protocol.com/blog/decentraland">build memberships on their parcels</a>. We think we’ll see many more game developers using Unlock to grant access to their content, to communities across the Internet. For example, an indie dev could set up a Discord server (see above) with member-only channels mapped to their games' memberships.
WordPress: As I learned during my time with Medium, it remains incredibly difficult to monetize journalism, creative writing and other content on the Internet without having to rely on intrusive advertising or third party donation/patronage platforms. Amber will help us improve the UX for our <a href="https://wordpress-demo.unlock-protocol.com/">plug-in for WordPress</a> (the backbone to 1 in 3 websites), which will enable writers and other site hosts to easily create a content unlock for a subscription or micropayment -- with no third party taking a cut of their revenue.
Musicians: We love how Mexican artist Zplit uses Unlock to sell their music. When you <a href="https://zplit.online/xdai/">go to this page</a>, you need to purchase a key using Unlock Protocol to access the full version. Once it’s unlocked, the audio player will load the full track, and the artwork will start spinning. (This app runs using Metamask on the xDai Network.)
Fundraising/Crowdfunding: Unlock grantee Austin Robey recently concocted an amazing idea for a protocol utilization: a "[dinner dao](https://mmm.page/dinnerdao.mainv", i.e. a dinner club where memberships can be purchased through Unlock until enough funds are raised for the whole group to enjoy a special dinner. While this is a fun way for people to treat themselves to a fun and convivial night out, the very same process can be used to fundraise/crowdfund for an infinite variety of causes.
Ticket sales: Already used by the <a href="https://unlock-protocol.com/blog/ethcc-tickets">Ethereum Community Conference</a> last July in Paris, other upcoming conferences (like <a href="https://liscon.org/!">Liscon</a> are leveraging Unlock to sell tickets (via crypto or fiat) and manage attendees.
With Amber’s guidance, these are just the start to the many use cases that will soon emerge from Unlock. More details soon, and <a href="https://discord.gg/Ha9fGnKgUV">don’t forget to join us in our Discord</a>!


EthGlobal and Protocol Labs created [HackFS](https://hackfs.com/), a hackathon designed to enable hackers and makers to lay the foundation for a decentralized web! Unlock embraces this mission completely and decided to help accelerate this movement by sponsoring the hackathon!

![HackFS](/images/blog/hackfs/hackfs.png)

Hackathon teams began their work on July 30th and every team has submitted their projects for review by the judges. We're so excited to see that 17 teams chose Unlock Protocol to build their projects upon and all of their submissions are linked [on this Airtable](https://airtable.com/shrN4lIsh3yXQLQKh/tblfEgiZwI8Iog8ZK).

As a community-driven protocol, we want all of our community members to participate in deciding the best ways to promote and grow Unlock adoption. For this very reason, we recently decided to [decentralize our grants review process](https://unlock.community/t/decentralizing-the-grants-process/106).

Today we wish to try something new and further empower our community by letting members vote on the best projects from HackFS! The voting process is simple.

We have created a [Snapshot proposal](https://snapshot.org/#/unlock-community.eth) to let all existing community members vote! If you did not have a valid membership at the time of Snapshot, you won't be allowed to vote, but you should [get a membership](https://app.unlock-protocol.com/checkout?redirectUri=https%3A%2F%2Fsnapshot.org%2F%23%2Funlock-community.eth%2F&paywallConfig=%7B%22locks%22%3A%7B%220xac1fceC2e4064CCd83ac8C9B0c9B8d944AB0D246%22%3A%7B%22network%22%3A100%7D%7D%2C%22persistentCheckout%22%3Atrue%2C%22icon%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Flocksmith.unlock-protocol.com%2Flock%2F0xac1fceC2e4064CCd83ac8C9B0c9B8d944AB0D246%2Ficon%22%7D) for next time!

If you are a member of our community, please, [vote now](https://snapshot.org/#/unlock-community.eth)!

We will make sure that the most upvoted project gets a prize!


At Unlock, we believe that hackers and makers will be building a better version of the web. For this reason, we are sponsors for HackFS, and we give our community the power to vote on the best projects!

Unlock is a sponsor for HackFS, and the Unlock community can vote on the best projects!

HackFS

EthGlobal and Protocol Labs created <a href="https://hackfs.com/">HackFS</a>, a hackathon designed to enable hackers and makers to lay the foundation for a decentralized web! Unlock embraces this mission completely and decided to help accelerate this movement by sponsoring the hackathon!
<img src="/images/blog/hackfs/hackfs.png" alt="HackFS">
Hackathon teams began their work on July 30th and every team has submitted their projects for review by the judges. We're so excited to see that 17 teams chose Unlock Protocol to build their projects upon and all of their submissions are linked <a href="https://airtable.com/shrN4lIsh3yXQLQKh/tblfEgiZwI8Iog8ZK">on this Airtable</a>.
As a community-driven protocol, we want all of our community members to participate in deciding the best ways to promote and grow Unlock adoption. For this very reason, we recently decided to <a href="https://unlock.community/t/decentralizing-the-grants-process/106">decentralize our grants review process</a>.
Today we wish to try something new and further empower our community by letting members vote on the best projects from HackFS! The voting process is simple.
We have created a <a href="https://snapshot.org/#/unlock-community.eth">Snapshot proposal</a> to let all existing community members vote! If you did not have a valid membership at the time of Snapshot, you won't be allowed to vote, but you should <a href="https://app.unlock-protocol.com/checkout?redirectUri=https%3A%2F%2Fsnapshot.org%2F%23%2Funlock-community.eth%2F&#x26;paywallConfig=%7B%22locks%22%3A%7B%220xac1fceC2e4064CCd83ac8C9B0c9B8d944AB0D246%22%3A%7B%22network%22%3A100%7D%7D%2C%22persistentCheckout%22%3Atrue%2C%22icon%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Flocksmith.unlock-protocol.com%2Flock%2F0xac1fceC2e4064CCd83ac8C9B0c9B8d944AB0D246%2Ficon%22%7D">get a membership</a> for next time!
If you are a member of our community, please, <a href="https://snapshot.org/#/unlock-community.eth">vote now</a>!
We will make sure that the most upvoted project gets a prize!