Recently, a16z proposed the interesting concept of "Staked Media." Considering the proliferation of AI accounts on social media, where fake news can appear indistinguishable from reality, ordinary users simply lack the time and energy to discern truth from falsehood. The prediction of "Staked Media" isn't entirely far-fetched; it might emerge within the next two years. So, what exactly is Staked Media? Simply put, it involves using cryptographic technologies like ZooKeeper to allow media outlets or individuals to prove their credibility, similar to "signing a written agreement" online. This agreement is recorded on the blockchain and cannot be altered. However, simply signing an agreement isn't enough; it requires "staking something" as collateral, such as ETH, USDC, or other cryptocurrencies. This serves to prove the authenticity and reliability of the published content. If the information is proven to be fake, the staked assets will be forfeited. This creates an environment that encourages speaking the truth. AI-generated articles and videos are everywhere, and fake news is rampant. Staking media is meant to make content creators more cautious, rather than speaking carelessly. For example, if a YouTuber posts a video praising a product, they might "sign a pledge" on the Ethereum blockchain and stake some ETH or USDC. If the video is fake, the money is lost, and viewers feel reassured. Or, imagine you're a blogger recommending a phone; you might stake $100 worth of ETH on the Ethereum blockchain, stating, "If the phone's beauty function doesn't achieve a certain effect, I'll compensate you." Viewers see you've staked money and perceive you as reliable. If the video is AI-generated, the $100 is gone. How can staking be used? Imagine it. Whether you're a major influencer/media outlet or a smaller one, when publishing an article, you need to "sign a document" (simply sign and verify) on the blockchain (such as Ethereum) and deposit a certain amount of tokens (such as ETH/USDT) into a specific smart contract. If the content is false, this money will be forfeited (either given to the victim or destroyed). If the content is legitimate, the money can be returned after a certain period, and you might even receive a reward (such as staking tokens issued by the media outlet itself or funds forfeited from other sources for false content). The specific amount staked depends on the platform's rules. Major media outlets/influencers who publish important news will stake more tokens, such as hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of tokens or even more; smaller influencers who publish daily content might only need a few tens of dollars. The stake can be linked to the content's influence (using a floating algorithm); the greater the influence, the more tokens are staked. Staking does increase the financial cost for media outlets, but it can gain the trust of the audience, which is also a cost in the era of fake news. However, how is authenticity determined? It's verified through a dual system of community and algorithm. On the community side, users with voting rights (who need to stake crypto assets) vote on the blockchain. If a certain percentage, such as 60% or higher, declares it fake, it's considered fake. Additionally, an algorithm analyzes data to assist in the verification. If the content creator disagrees, they can initiate arbitration, which is then handled by an expert committee. If malicious manipulation by voters is discovered, their funds will be confiscated. Participation in voting and becoming a member of the expert committee are rewarded. Rewards come from confiscated funds and the media's own tokens. Furthermore, content creators can use ZooKeeper technology to generate proof of authenticity from the outset, such as using ZooKeeper to generate videos. What if wealthy individuals cheat? Wealthy individuals can stake large sums of money to create fake news; if the returns are high enough, they might do it. This involves not only pledged funds, but also historical records and reputation systems. Accounts with a history of penalties and confiscations are tagged, and the pledged funds for future content will increase. If an account is penalized and confiscated three or four times, its subsequent content will be less trustworthy, and legal repercussions may follow. Therefore, falsifying information has significant costs, including not only financial losses, but also the trust built over time, historical records, reputation systems, and real legal liabilities. Perhaps media pledging projects are already underway.