What is Basic Attention?

Basic Attention Token (BAT) is an open-source, decentralized ad exchange platform that operates on the Ethereum blockchain. It was introduced through an initial coin offering on May 31, 2017, raising approximately $35 million in a brief period. BAT serves to address challenges in digital advertising by enabling advertisers to pay website publishers for user attention, utilizing components like attention measurement systems and analytics dashboards. Ad targeting occurs on-device, eliminating the need for third-party tracking.

The project was initiated by Brendan Eich, known for creating JavaScript and co-founding Mozilla, along with other team members such as Brian Bondy and Scott Locklin. BAT is structured to integrate with the Brave browser, which focuses on user privacy by blocking trackers and malicious software. Within this framework, user attention is valued and monetized while ensuring that private data remains solely on users' devices.