Thousands, millions of people have done this for a decade or longer already. Completely with currency fluctuation as well.

It’s called working online (from home). Fluctuation of value of USD has hit many at different times, whether employed or freelancing.

The blockchain, more often than not, is merely a database and not something super special, the lightning rod it often is pretended or flouted to be.

Most freelancers have no contracts, or no legal recourse when contracts are ended. Many never have more than an email actually.

The upvote model described also already exists, in a different form: traffic/social shares bonuses. Which is pretty much the going standard for many an online content creator. Also benefitting from the publications social properties and the ability to request shares from colleagues.

The only winner in that model is the publisher/investor who rather than continuously invest in (social) advertising and marketing for worthy pieces can focus on getting a return. But then again the step-in costs are higher, SP isn't free. SP is rather expensive even.

Is this the future?

Maybe it isn’t but it will definitely become a reality for blockchains like the Steem blockchain.