Own: Pioneering a Decentralized Future for Social Media
With the imminent deadline for TikTok’s U.S. operations sale drawing near, a novel player has entered the social media arena. Own, currently in public beta, introduces a fresh option by merging short-form videos with text and image posts in an effortlessly swipeable feed.
Empowering Creators globally Through Blockchain Innovation
Distinct from customary platforms, Own harnesses blockchain technology paired with a token-driven economy to revolutionize creator monetization. There are no follower count or posting frequency requirements to begin earning, making it inclusive for creators regardless of their audience size or location.
The platform is built on the Base Layer 2 blockchain network, guaranteeing secure transactions and transparent ownership verification of all uploaded content. This robust foundation supports the $OWN Token-an asset rewarded based on user interaction that can be traded freely across open markets.
Experienced Leadership Driving Vision and Growth
The team behind Own includes CEO Amir Kaltak and COO Katia zaitsev, who previously co-founded web3 startup Lexit. Chief Content Officer Sarah Mick brings extensive expertise from her tenure at major dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, contributing deep insights into user engagement strategies and community development.
A Fair Revenue Model Designed for Global Creators
Kaltak highlights that many creators worldwide face meaningful hurdles due to geographic restrictions imposed by mainstream platforms. “Our ecosystem levels the playing field,” he states. “Creators everywhere can earn tokens without arbitrary limits or barriers.”
A share of Own’s revenue is allocated toward buying back $OWN tokens from exchanges which are then redistributed among creators-this mechanism sustains demand while promoting long-term token value stability.
Multiple Income Streams beyond Token Rewards
- Tipping: Creators retain 80% of tips received within the app-a notable betterment over TikTok’s 50% cut.
- Sponsorships: Brand partnerships allow creators to keep up to 90% of earnings after minimal platform fees are deducted.
- The Own Shop: Functioning similarly to TikTok Shop but more creator-centric; sellers receive 95% of sales revenue while Own takes only a 5% commission.
- Content Licensing: Thanks to blockchain-verified ownership records, creators can license their work directly for advertising campaigns or other uses-earning royalties as high as 90% per transaction.
The full rollout plans include launching complete token rewards between July and september this year, with beta access for the Own Shop slated for Q4 (October-December).
User-Centric Engagement Powered by Community Voting systems
An innovative ranking mechanism invites users not just to consume content passively but actively participate through upvotes and downvotes-a concept inspired by Reddit’s community moderation model. This approach organically elevates quality posts while boosting visibility for top-performing creators via leaderboards.
“By granting users genuine ownership over their creations combined with fair compensation models, we tackle core issues prevalent in existing social networks,” explains Mick.”Our platform nurtures authentic connections free from algorithmic gatekeeping or geographic limitations-reshaping what success means in social media.”
An Expanding User Community Embracing Change
The app is currently free on both iOS App store and Google Play Store platforms. Early traction has been impressive-with nearly 40,000 people already waiting eagerly on its list as global adoption grows amid rising concerns about centralized control within dominant social networks worldwide.
