“One such innovation is Mastercoin, a programmable layer on the Bitcoin block chain that recently announced $5 million (4,700 BTC) in investor funding. So, what is a ‘programmable layer of Bitcoin?’ Think of it as some extra trunk space where any number of things can hitch a ride during a Bitcoin transaction—anything from airline miles or a ‘News Wire’ coin that could help users evade the Great Firewall of China. It could also allow a Silk Road successor to arise and flourish without being tethered to a central server or owner. I recently spoke to Dominik Zynis, head of communications for the Mastercoin Foundation, who explained other potential uses of the service.”
http://motherboard.vice.com/en_ca/blog/making-your-own-cryptocurrency-has-never-been-easier