Crypto Networks and Tokens Allow for the *Monetization* of Public, Open-Source Services

The idea that private corporate services could be replaced by public internet services that have an associated coin or token may seem far-fetched today.

But if we zoom out, we can see that the history of open source technology can help us forecast the ultimate direction of public blockchains.

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In the 1990s, computing was dominated by proprietary, closed-source software — most notably Microsoft. Fast forward to today, and over 3 billion Android phones run on top of the open-source operating system Linux. Most of Apple’s software runs on open source, as does almost all of Amazon’s cloud data centers.

*Miners and Validators of public blockchain networks are essentially providing Amazon cloud services for these networks in a decentralized format*

Meanwhile, the open source model of public blockchains allows for an extension of cloud-based services by adding financial incentives to the mix. Crypto tokens fundamentally provide a way to incentivize individuals and groups to participate in, maintain, and build internet services.

Said another way, crypto networks and tokens allow for the *monetization* of public, open-source services.

It took 20+ years for open source software to supplant proprietary software. How long will it take *open services* introduced by public blockchains to supplant proprietary services?