Basic Attention Token (BAT) is an Ethereum-based utility token integrated into the Brave browser, aiming to reshape digital advertising by rewarding users for their attention while prioritizing privacy. Founded by Brendan Eich, creator of JavaScript, BAT was created to solve issues in the advertising industry, including data privacy concerns, ad monopolization, and declining ad revenues for publishers. Brave users opt into viewing privacy-protected ads and are rewarded in BAT, which they can redeem or use to support content creators directly. This model allows advertisers to reach users more effectively without compromising their data security.

The Brave browser’s ad ecosystem ensures that user data is stored locally and only accessible by the user, unlike traditional ad platforms that rely on extensive data tracking. By leveraging blockchain, Brave offers transparency and efficiency, providing advertisers with meaningful engagement metrics and reducing ad fraud. BAT also supports a variety of use cases outside Brave, such as in DeFi, gaming, and commerce, further broadening its utility across the digital economy.

In recent developments, Brave has expanded BAT’s functionality to include decentralized finance (DeFi) integrations and cross-platform usability. Users can use BAT in liquidity pools, on DeFi platforms like Aave, and in blockchain-based gaming environments. As of 2023, Brave's ecosystem has grown to over 50 million monthly active users, reinforcing BAT’s mission to create a more equitable, privacy-focused digital advertising model. This positions BAT as a foundational tool for a fairer online advertising landscape that respects user autonomy and data security.