It definitely seems like a better way to do faucets, as an anti spam measure. Maybe pools could use this by bidding for hash power with ecash, reducing the need for on chain transactions and lightning channels for payout. That would make setup for at home mining easier as on chain transactions get more expensive, and I think mining for home heating gets more attractive in that scenario. I'm concerned though. A high functioning mint can offer a competitive price per hash to pools, and artificially inflate the supply of ecash to pay miners. This is prossibly a vector for the bitcoin future many of us expect, essentially a free banking system with a better base money. If its going to happen then its inevitable though, so all we can do is build systems that make it easier for mints to set up and market their services to pools.