Publica
Publica is a Gibraltar-based blockchain publishing platform that enables authors to tokenize books as ERC20 tokens, run Book ICOs, and distribute content via iOS and Android e-reader apps serving crypto-native readers and self-publishing authors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersGibraltar, Gibraltar
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Publica does
Publica is a blockchain-based publishing platform founded in 2017 and headquartered in Gibraltar (operating as Publica Global (Gibraltar) Limited). The platform enables authors to tokenize literary content as Ethereum ERC20 book tokens, run 'Book ICOs' to pre-sell books to supporters, and distribute content through proprietary iOS and Android e-reader apps that double as cryptographic wallets. Smart contracts automate royalty distribution and apportion a share of secondary market resale proceeds back to authors, while readers can purchase, trade, gift, or transfer book tokens via a proprietary secondary market. PBL (Pebbles) tokens function as the platform's internal currency, and a FIAT layer on Android enables credit/debit card purchases to reduce crypto onboarding friction.
The company's primary customers are authors and self-publishers seeking new monetization channels, cryptocurrency-interested readers seeking digital ownership and tradable book collectibles, and (to a lesser extent) traditional publishers exploring blockchain distribution. Noteworthy engagements include the world's first Book ICO with New York Times bestselling author Matthew Kepnes (Nomadic Matt) and a strategic partnership with Morgan James Publishing to onboard their independent author base. The go-to-market is community-led, targeting authors with existing audiences via Book ICOs, Telegram community engagement, AMA sessions, and presence at publishing industry events (London Book Fair, IBPA Publishing University, Digital Book World, Token2049).
Revenue is generated entirely through transaction fees across Book ICO token sales, direct book purchases, and secondary market trading activity. Pricing is set per Book ICO by individual authors, with example economics showing micro-scale events (e.g., 1,000 tokens at $10 USD for a $10,000 hard cap). The company received one disclosed funding round of approximately $1.05M in November 2017 and has not announced subsequent institutional rounds; revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. The platform is led by co-founders Antons Sapriko (CEO) and Yuri Pimenov (CTO), and recognition includes the 'Best Use of Blockchain in Publishing' award at Digital Book World 2018. Notably, all material operational milestones in the source data date from 2018, with no disclosed post-2018 product, partnership, or funding activity.
Publica firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Publica
- Legal name
- Publica Global (Gibraltar) Limited
- Website
- https://publica.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Publica is a Gibraltar-based blockchain publishing platform that enables authors to tokenize books as ERC20 tokens, run Book ICOs, and distribute content via iOS and Android e-reader apps serving crypto-native readers and self-publishing authors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Publica industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Blockchain Publishing Platform
- NAICS
- Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) (5331), Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) (533), Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) (53311), Book Publishers (513130)
- SIC
- Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200), Patent Owners & Lessors (6794)
- akta.pro primary industry
- IP, Royalties & Revenue-Share Tokenization (FSADAEAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- RWA Tokenization Platforms (asset onboarding, structuring, issuance) (FSAPAIAC), Art, Collectibles & Luxury RWA Tokenization (FSADAEAK)
Keywords
Where Publica is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gibraltar
- HQ country
- Gibraltar
Offices1 record
Markets served
Publica business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Book Token Sales (Book ICO): Authors launch Book ICOs to pre-sell book tokens to readers/fans. Platform takes a commission on token sales. Tokens are sold for PBL cryptocurrency with initial pricing set by authors.
- Secondary Market Trading: Users can resell book tokens on a proprietary secondary market. Smart contracts apportion part of the resale price back to the original author, creating ongoing revenue stream.
- Book Purchases: Direct purchase of book tokens from the platform catalog, accessible via PBL tokens or fiat (credit/debit cards on Android).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | One time/ perpetual license | Book Token Initial Offering (Book ICO) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Publica product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Publica operates a blockchain-based peer-to-peer publishing platform that enables authors to tokenize books as ERC20 tokens and sell them directly to readers worldwide via Book ICOs (tokenized book offerings) and a catalog. The platform provides native iOS and Android e-reader applications that double as cryptographic wallets, a web storefront (shop.publica.com), and a proprietary secondary market that allows token resale with automated royalty splits back to authors via smart contracts.
Product overview
Publica is a blockchain-based publishing platform that operates as a unified ecosystem consisting of the main Publica Platform, mobile e-reader applications for iOS and Android, a Book ICO crowdfunding module, and a Web Store. The platform uses ERC20-based book tokens and PBL (Pebbles) as its internal cryptocurrency. Authors tokenize books as NFTs to sell directly to readers via Book ICOs or the catalog, while readers access content through the e-reader apps which function as cryptographic wallets. A proprietary secondary market enables token resale.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Publica iOS E-Reader App Mobile application for iOS devices that allows users to purchase, store, and read book tokens. Functions as a cryptographic wallet and e-reader, enabling access to tokenized book content and fiat or crypto purchases.
- Publica Android E-Reader App Mobile application for Android devices that lets users read their tokenized books and supports direct fiat purchases via credit/debit cards (FIAT layer) in addition to PBL cryptocurrency.
- Publica Web Store Web-based e-commerce storefront at shop.publica.com where users can purchase tokenized books using cryptocurrency, working in tandem with the iOS and Android mobile apps.
- Book ICO Platform Crowdfunding module within Publica that allows authors to launch Book ICOs and pre-sell books as tokens to supporters before publication, using blockchain-based smart contracts for automated revenue distribution and resale royalty splits.
- Publica Blockchain Publishing Platform Core blockchain-based peer-to-peer publishing platform that enables authors to tokenize books as ERC20 tokens, conduct Book ICOs, and distribute digital collectibles directly to readers worldwide via integrated e-reader wallets and a proprietary secondary market.
Companies that use Publica
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Publica technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Publica partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Morgan James PublishingmajorPartnership with American independent book publisher and distributor to bring blockchain publishing capabilities to their author base. Enables Morgan James authors to tokenize and sell books through the Publica platform.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Publica competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Royal: Music NFT platform that lets fans buy ownership shares in songs with royalty rights via smart contracts. Highly comparable economic model to Publica's author royalties, applied to music rather than books.
- Audius: Blockchain-based music streaming platform with tokenized artist ownership and direct creator-to-fan economics. Adjacent Web3 content platform applying similar token-incentivized distribution model to audio rather than text.
- Rarible: NFT marketplace with creator-controlled royalties and tokenized digital content. Comparable secondary-market functionality for tokenized books, though lacking Publica's integrated e-reader and crowdfunding components.
Broad incumbents
- OpenSea: Largest NFT marketplace, supporting digital collectibles including books and written content. Not specialized in publishing but provides a competing venue for tokenized book sales and secondary trading.
- Draft2Digital: Indie ebook distribution platform serving thousands of self-published authors. Comparable target customer (independent authors), but uses traditional non-blockchain distribution to retailers.
- Smashwords: Independent ebook publishing and distribution platform serving self-published authors. Comparable author-focused GTM and indie publishing positioning, without Web3/tokenization layer.
- Kindle Direct Publishing: Amazon's dominant self-publishing platform. The traditional incumbent Publica positions against, offering global distribution but without blockchain ownership, secondary markets, or resale royalties.
Direct peers
- Mirror.xyz: Web3 publishing platform that enables writers to tokenize and crowdfund posts as NFTs on Ethereum. Closest direct competitor to Publica, also targeting authors with token-based monetization, though focused on short-form articles rather than full-length books.
- LBRY / Odysee: Decentralized content platform using blockchain for content addressing and creator monetization. Directly comparable in using blockchain to disintermediate traditional content distributors and give creators direct ownership.
- Zora: Web3 protocol for creators to mint and sell media as NFTs with on-chain royalty enforcement. Directly comparable architecture: tokenized content, smart-contract royalties, secondary market resale. Focused on broader media than books.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Publica social profiles
Digital presencePublica financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Publica leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Publica funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Publica M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Publica
What does Publica do?
Publica operates a blockchain-based peer-to-peer publishing platform that enables authors to tokenize books as ERC20 tokens and sell them directly to readers worldwide via Book ICOs (tokenized book offerings) and a catalog. The platform provides native iOS and Android e-reader applications that double as cryptographic wallets, a web storefront (shop.publica.com), and a proprietary secondary market that allows token resale with automated royalty splits back to authors via smart contracts.
Is Publica a public or private company?
Publica is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Publica founded?
Publica was founded in 2017. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Publica based?
Publica is headquartered in Gibraltar, Gibraltar.
How does Publica make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Book Token Sales (Book ICO) is the primary driver. The others are secondary Market Trading and book Purchases.
Who are Publica's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Royal, Audius and Rarible. Broad incumbents are OpenSea, Draft2Digital, Smashwords and Kindle Direct Publishing. Direct peers are Mirror.xyz, LBRY / Odysee and Zora.
Does Publica have an API?
No public API is recorded for Publica.
What industry is Publica in?
Publica's product category is Blockchain Publishing Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSADAEAJ, IP, Royalties & Revenue-Share Tokenization, with a secondary code of FSAPAIAC, RWA Tokenization Platforms (asset onboarding, structuring, issuance). Its NAICS code is 5331 and its SIC code is 6200.