[zherbert]

Skynet is built on top of the Sia decentralized cloud storage platform (https://sia.tech). Sia uses a blockchain to facilitate cryptocurrency transactions and store file contracts (which are like cryptographic SLAs between users), and is very similar to Bitcoin in architecture.

Anyone can operate a Skynet Webportal (the server), and Webportals can choose how they'd like to monetize – for example, they can run ads.

You can also run your own Skynet Portal by downloading Sia v1.4.3, released today. It costs about $10/mo to run a Portal because you have to form file contracts with a few hundred storage providers on the network. But then you do not have to go through a Webportal middleman.

Disclaimer: I work on the Sia/Skynet team.