Blockchain has the power to disrupt the music industry: The technology could defy the eternal problem of artists getting paid way less than they should. “In the music industry, the blockchain could transform publishing, monetization and the relationship of artists with their communities of fans,” writes Ben Dickson for TechCrunch. It’s fine to be asking what Blockchain is: “Blockchains are ledgers (like Excel spreadsheets), but they accept inputs from lots of different parties,” according to Portia Crowe’s visually excellent piece as she seamlessly demystifies it for Business Insider. To change data, there has to be consensus among those involved in any transaction, hence security and decentralization. Data is stored in blocks, each block with its own ID, identifying which transactions are taking place and by who, hence transparency.

Replace “data” with “published music.” It means no piracy and direct interaction between the artist and fans. “Users can select the record of their choice and immediately reward the stakeholders with cryptocurrency upon playing it,” writes Dickson. Hallelujah. Problem solved? Not yet. “The challenge with using the blockchain for music isn’t a technological one. It’s a set of interlocking business problems that have been around since the beginning of music listening,” according to Digital Music News’ Matthew Hawn. Too many people benefit from the way the industry works — and blockchain won’t make people more willing to pay. “It’s going to be a long, hard battle, and the blockchain is not a silver bullet.”