Unlocking the Future: How Black Mirror is Revolutionizing Crypto and Entertainment!

Crypto for Advisors: When Crypto Meets Netflix

What to know:

Instead of reading Crypto for Advisors, a weekly newsletter from CoinDesk that breaks down the world of digital assets specifically for financial advisors, consider subscribing to receive this insightful update straight to your inbox every Thursday.

Last week was the Consensus Toronto 2025 event. If you missed it, CoinDesk has got you covered! Hear from inspiring global thought leaders as they share their perspectives on crucial issues within the digital asset sector across day 1, day 2, and day 3. You can also delve into comprehensive editorial coverage.

Today in the realm of Cryptocurrency for Financial Consultants, Shivani Phull from Pixelynx shares insights on how Black Mirror is capitalizing on blockchain technology to transform fan interaction and content development.

Later on, Eric Tomaszewski, representing Verde Capital Management, addresses queries regarding the allure of these investments for young investors in a Q&A segment titled “Expert Advice”.

Appreciation goes out to our current week’s newsletter sponsor, Grayscale. Financial advisors residing in the Boston area are invited to attend an exclusive event titled “Crypto Connect,” taking place on June 5th, Thursday. For further details, please check it out.

– Sarah Morton

Storytelling 3.0: When AI, Blockchain and IP Collide

Exploring how Black Mirror’s blockchain-based venture is shaping the path towards innovative methods for entertainment finance.

The traditional approach to storytelling is reaching its limits as it struggles to meet the changing preferences of modern, digitally-savvy viewers. For years, content has been consumed in a one-directional manner, but this outdated model no longer aligns with audience expectations. With emerging technologies reshaping the landscape, entertainment intellectual property (IP) is undergoing a fundamental transformation.

From Bandersnatch to Blockchain

Black Mirror has consistently dared to question established norms. In 2018, it boldly ventured into uncharted territory with the interactive episode titled Bandersnatch. This move hinted at a significant transformation: from stories that we merely watch to narratives that we actively shape.

The pace at which this change is occurring is rapidly increasing. Individuals from Generation Z and Generation Alpha have grown up in environments similar to Minecraft, Roblox, and Fortnite, where content created by users serves as the core experience. Instead of merely consuming content, these audiences prefer active participation, shaping, and controlling the storyline themselves.

Traditional IP Revenue Is Evolving

Historically, those who hold intellectual property (IP) have earned money through licensing agreements, syndication, product integrations, and box office receipts. However, generative AI is shaking up this established approach. Platforms such as OpenAI’s Sora or Runway enable individuals to create spin-offs easily, presenting a potential risk and benefit. For intellectual property owners, the task at hand is evident: either relinquish control over the storyline or embrace innovative strategies that safeguard and expand it.

Enter blockchain.

Blockchain as the Rails for Interactive IP

Blockchain brings the missing layer of structure. It allows for:

On-chain IP verification — using blockchain to prove who owns creative content, making it secure and transparent.
Composable rights — content can be broken down into smaller parts that others can build on, remix or combine with new creations, allowing for microlicensing.
Community ownership and participation rewards — fans can hold tokens that give them access to exclusive experiences and benefits as the project grows.
Tokenized incentives for creators and fans — digital tokens are used to reward people for contributing, collaborating or being active in the community.

In this innovative approach, audiences gain the opportunity to influence the direction of stories, becoming active participants rather than mere observers, as they shape narratives around their preferred intellectual properties.

Case Study: Black Mirror Enters Web3

Banijay Rights, the worldwide sales division of content titan Banijay Entertainment (responsible for distributing shows like Black Mirror), has teamed up with Pixelynx Inc. and KOR Protocol, a blockchain-based intellectual property infrastructure company from Los Angeles, founded by renowned DJs Deadmau5 and Richie Hawtin. Under the guidance of CEO Inder Phull, Pixelynx is facilitating a blockchain integration for the Black Mirror universe that’s engaging, legal, and community-focused.

In my latest research endeavor, I’ve developed a token modeled after the concept from the “Nosedive” episode. This innovative system encourages users to connect their social media platforms and digital wallets, earning a reputation score based on their interactions. With over 300,000 enthusiastic participants, top-tier contributors are granted access to unique experiences and rewards. This groundbreaking approach not only provides IP holders with an engaging platform but also offers a novel method for rewarding their most devoted fanbase.

The IP Industry’s Fork in the Road

The future of entertainment will be shaped by adapting to change using innovative structures that ensure proper usage of intellectual property (IP), maintain quality, safeguard rights, and allow both fans and creators to benefit fairly and openly. This heralds a fresh epoch for IP management: an era characterized by security, involvement, and sustainable profit generation.

Through the process of rendering IPs (Intellectual Properties) as interactive, tokenized, and blockchain-based, content creators are not merely dabbling, but rather outlining the design for a new era in storytelling, which we might call Storytelling 3.0.

– Shivani Phull, CFO, Pixelynx Inc.

Ask an Expert

Question: What does the term “ownership” entail in the context of Web3, and what sets it apart from conventional investment methods?

How do we understand “ownership” when talking about Web3, and what makes it unique compared to regular investments?

As a researcher exploring Web3 ownership, I’d like to emphasize that it transcends mere possession of an asset. It entails immersion and engagement within the system. Holding the Black Mirror token, for instance, signifies more than just ownership; it grants you a voice in governance, opens doors to exclusive ecosystems, and facilitates the creation of a dynamic digital identity that can appreciate in value over time. Unlike traditional stock ownership, this is an active, collaborative experience where you’re not merely a shareholder, but a vital stakeholder.>

Q. Can reputation-based tokens create economic value from behavior and is it sustainable?

As a researcher exploring digital economies, I must clarify that Black Mirror tokens indeed gamify trust by offering tangible rewards for on-chain actions and social interactions. While this innovation is thrilling, it’s essential to recognize the performance-based risks involved. However, it mirrors the future trajectory of investment patterns among digitally savvy, younger generations.

Q. Could these tokens act as a new form of “digital yield” for younger investors?

A. Indeed. Instead of fixed income returns, this is about engagement rewards. The more actively and credibly you engage, the more opportunities for recognition you might have. These could include access to special lists, platform discounts, or even token-based earnings. In many ways, it’s a fresh approach to incentivization.

In conversing with clients, I often explain it as the active application of behavioral finance. By finding the optimal balance between risk and time investment, it transforms into something valuable – influence and opportunities. It’s important to remember that satisfaction and worth can mean different things for everyone. Not every outcome is monetary.

– Eric Tomaszewski, financial advisor, Verde Capital Management

2025-05-22 19:15