For episode 217 of the Crypto Altruists podcast, we’re joined by Ciarán Murray, Founder of Olas, to explore one of the most powerful and under-discussed use cases of Web3: rebuilding trust in media and journalism.
From paywalls and clickbait to algorithmic polarization and advertiser-driven censorship, not to mention the uninhibited rise of misinformation, the traditional media model is under immense pressure. But what if we could reimagine media from the ground up using crypto incentives, peer review, and reputation layers to reward truth over rage bait and virality?
That’s exactly what Ciarán and the Olas team are building: an ownerless, open-source protocol for publishing and reviewing ideas, where accuracy is priced in and reputation is earned, not inherited.
In this episode, we unpack why blockchain is the perfect foundation for the next era of open-source journalism, how new decentralized tools can unlock collective intelligence, and why crypto incentives could be key to restoring faith in public discourse.
You’ll learn:
📰 The battle for truth is heating up: Media consolidation and the rise of AI-generated disinformation have created an unprecedented trust crisis. As centralized platforms shape public discourse, the need for transparent, decentralized alternatives has never been more urgent.
💸 Crypto rails unlock new media models: Blockchain-native tools like micropayments, transparency, and censorship resistance make it possible to design open, incentive-aligned publishing protocols that reward truth-seeking and are resistant to manipulation or capture.
🧠 A new era of collective intelligence: Protocols like Olas are using innovative tools like Bayesian Truth Serum and Surprisingly Popular Aggregation to reward honesty, elevate credible voices, and help communities converge on trustworthy information without relying on gatekeepers or algorithms.
PIPE gDAO is leveraging blockchain for their University Real World Asset IP Launchpad that helps bring groundbreaking ideas from lab to market. By joining the Pipe Associate Network (aka PAN), associates can create a profile highlighting their skills, be notified of opportunities, and then contribute fractional work to pre-IPO companies in return for equity and tokens.
Check out their Linktree for links to all of their socials so you can get involved and join this growing community!
02:20 - Let’s start with your story. What was your journey into Web3, and how did your background in both blockchain and media lead you to found Olas?
06:50 - At a high level, what is Olas? Can you give us the elevator pitch for what you’re building, and the core problem you’re trying to solve in the current media ecosystem?
09:55 - You’ve described Olas as an “ownerless publishing protocol” with market-based quality control. What does that look like in practice? How do you align incentives for writers, reviewers, and readers?
16:45 - Why Web3? What does blockchain uniquely enable here that traditional platforms or databases couldn’t, and why is decentralization essential for this model of truth-seeking and publishing?
20:50 - You’ve emphasized that “we don’t need to remove humans, we just need better tools.” Can you walk us through decision-science tools like Bayesian Truth Serum and Surprisingly Popular aggregation, and why they might work better than simple yes/no prediction markets?
30:35 - Let’s dive into trust. In an AI-saturated internet where it’s easy to generate infinite content, how does Olas build trust, and why do you think users will demand quality-controlled information in the future?
33:25 - Tell me more about the role of Artificial Intelligence in your platform.
35:40 - Tell me more about the reputation and identity elements of Olas, and how you leverage blockchain mechanisms like zero knowledge proofs.
40:00 - Let’s talk sustainability. How does Olas use Web3-native tools like micropayments, staking, and token incentives to create a more sustainable, neutral, and pluralistic media ecosystem?
44:30 - Do you have a CTA for listeners? What’s the best way for them to learn more and get involved in the community?
45:45 - To close, imagine a young journalist or researcher listening right now, disillusioned with the traditional system but excited by what you’re building. What message would you want to leave them with?
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While we may discuss specific web3 projects or cryptocurrencies on this podcast, please do not take any of this as investment advice, and please make sure to do your own research on potential investment opportunities, or any opportunity. We host a variety of guests on this podcast with the sole purpose of highlighting the social impact use cases of this technology. That being said, Crypto Altruism does not endorse any of these projects, and we recognize that, since this is an emerging sector, some may be operating in regulatory grey areas, and as such, we cannot confirm their legality in the jurisdictions in which they operate, especially as it pertains to decentralized finance protocols. So, before getting involved with any project, it’s important that you do your own research and confirm the legality of the project. More available HERE.
