In the span of just a few years, Blockchain and cryptocurrencies have taken financial markets by storm. Blockchain technology has already created new ways of financing companies. Bitcoin is gradually changing the rules of the game in the financial market: over $3.7 bln was raised by 372 ICOs between 2015 and 2017, meanwhile despite recent volatility, crypto currencies have been some of the best investments in recent years, and according to JPM, on a risk-adjusted basis, bitcoin has generated higher returns than the S&P.

In the media industry where rapid changes have become part of everyday business, traditional sources were unprepared to work with the crypto community. As a result, a large field for media newcomers appeared. Crypto holders are their audience, crypto companies and ICO issuers are their clients.

Below we take a quick look at some of the most popular new crypto media outlets.

Blockonomi

Website: blockonomi.com; Twitter: @blockonomi

Audience: 2.4 mln visits per month according to SimilarWeb

History: Blockonomi was launched in 2017 by Kooc Media company. They are focused on writing reviews of companies and beginners guides, not news articles.

Editorial policy: No information. According to Blockonomi's press-kit, the media accepts fiat only.

Business-model: Revenue from advertising.

The Merkle

Website: themerkle.com; Twitter: @themerklenews

Audience: 4.8 mln visits per month according to SimilarWeb

History: San-Francisco-based The Merkle was founded in June 2014. It is led by Mark Arguinbaev who also founded TheVRBase, media source about the VR industry.

Mission statement: The Merkle publishes cryptocurrency news and a variety of educational articles relating to Bitcoin.

Editorial policy: No information. The company accepts Bitcoin for press-releases, but do it through BitPay's service, which turns Bitcoin into dollars.

Business-model: Revenue from advertising.

Bitcoin Magazine

Website: bitcoinmagazine.com; Twitter: @BitcoinMagazine

Audience: 2.3 mln visits per month according to SimilarWeb

History: Bitcoin Magazine was the first magazine dedicated to cryptocurrency. It was founded by  Mihai Alisie and Vitalik Buterin, the creator of Ethereum, in 2012. They published the first issue in May 2012 and later joined forces with Coin Publishing LLC. In 2015 Bitcoin Magazine was acquired by BTC Media LLC, which also publishes Bitcoin, Let's Talk Bitcoin and Distributed. Bitcoin Magazine ceased publication of their print magazine and currently posts content online. In total 22 magazine editions were issued.

Editorial policy:  Bitcoin Magazine' writers are allowed to hold cryptocurrencies, but they have to disclose the information about their crypto investments.

Business-model: BTC Media LLC earns money on advertising and selling crypto fans' stuff.