Coin columns · Ethereum City (Capital)
BAT: The Token Behind Brave’s Privacy-Focused Ads
An Ethereum token that pays users for opt-in ads
Basic Attention Token (BAT) was created in 2017 by the Brave web browser to link users, advertisers and content creators. This Ethereum-based token pays ad rewards and creator tips inside the browser.
1. Born in the browser of JavaScript’s creator
BAT was created by Brave Software, founded in 2015 by Brendan Eich, who created JavaScript and co-founded Mozilla, together with Brian Bondy. In the May 2017 token sale, 1 billion BAT sold out in about 30 seconds, and total supply is fixed at 1.5 billion, with no new tokens created.
On the Crypto Nation map, BAT stands in Ethereum City (the capital), because it was first issued on Ethereum. The Brave browser, built on the Chromium engine that Chrome also uses, blocks ads and trackers by default, and users who opt in to Brave Rewards see privacy-respecting ads and are paid in BAT.
2. How the ad-reward loop works
With Rewards on, ads matched to interests on the user’s own device appear occasionally as notifications, and Brave says a large share of the revenue goes back to the user as BAT. Browsing data is processed on the device, not sent to a server. The ads are opt-in and can be switched off at any time.
BAT can be given as tips to websites, YouTube channels or streamers, who register channels through Brave Creators to receive them. Since August 2025, users in eligible countries can also receive payouts straight into a self-custody Solana wallet, as BAT bridged through Wormhole.
3. Where it is used
BAT is mainly used for ad rewards and creator tips in Brave. Since March 2025 a Rewards Partner Program has widened where it can be spent, and in June 2026 Brave announced six more partners, including Ethereum Name Service domain offers, a shopping service planning to accept BAT and a streamer-tipping service.
Key dates are the token sale in May 2017, Brave 1.0 in November 2019 and Solana self-custody payouts in August 2025. Press reports say Brave’s ‘BAT Roadmap 4.0’ (July 2026) lists a wallet refresh, a rewards card that earns BAT on real-world purchases and a stablecoin payment system called BravePay, without launch dates.
4. Things to know
BAT’s usefulness depends heavily on Brave’s user base and ad business, and Brave’s share is small next to browsers like Chrome. Where rewards are available, and how payout wallets must be linked, differ by country and can change. Because rewards are paid in BAT, their value moves with its market price, and as an Ethereum token it also carries smart-contract and wallet-security risks.
Brave has faced controversy: in 2020 it was found adding its own referral codes to some crypto-site links, then apologized and reversed it, and its early handling of tips for unregistered creators drew criticism. Revenue-sharing terms are Brave’s to change, and some users find payouts hard to receive.
Written from information public up to October 2026. It does not recommend or rate any coin and is not investment advice. If something is wrong, please tell us through the contact page.