Another day, another social app with a swipe feed, DMs, and dreams of beating TikTok at its own game.
But Own, a newly launched social platform, is not here to dance around. It wants to completely flip the script on how creators get paid.
It’s a big idea? No more waiting for 10K followers or viral videos. Just post, get engagement, earn tokens from anywhere in the world.
Welcome to the world of tokenized content creation, and Own wants to be your new favourite blockchain-powered playground.
So What Exactly Is Own?
Own is a new decentralised social media app built by Amir Kaltak, Katia Zaitsev, and Sarah Mick (yes, the same Sarah who helped shape Tinder and Bumble’s UI).
Here’s the pitch:
- A swipeable feed (text, photos, video; all welcome)
- Messaging and posting, just like you’d expect
- But with a twist: creators earn $OWN Tokens based on engagement
- No minimum followers, no post quotas
- All running on Base Layer 2 blockchain for ownership, security, and speed
Basically, think: TikTok meets crypto wallet with fewer dances and more control.
Why It’s Different (Or Claims to Be)
Unlike major platforms that gatekeep monetisation (hi, YouTube), Own says you can earn from Day 1.
Here’s what sets it apart:
- No minimum requirements: Anyone can earn, no matter their location or audience size.
- Blockchain-backed ownership: Your content = your asset. Fully traceable and licenseable.
- Token resale: Own buys tokens off the market to keep prices stable and sustain payouts.
- Own Shop (rolling out soon): Think TikTok Shop, but creators keep 95% of what they sell.
- Tipping, licensing, and brand deals: Creators can earn in multiple ways, and the platform only takes small cuts (way less than TikTok).
Let’s put it this way: TikTok takes 50% from tips. Own takes 20%.
For sponsorships, creators keep 90%. On content licensing? 90% again.
Own is basically saying: you’ve been getting robbed. Here’s a better deal.
A Global Play With Real Incentives
Amir Kaltak, Own’s CEO, is betting big on creators from countries who’ve been excluded from traditional monetisation tools:
“Most creators around the world don’t have access to monetization on major platforms simply because of their location,” he told TechCrunch. “With Own, we’ve built a system that levels the playing field.”
The app already has 40,000 people on its waitlist, and it’s currently live on iOS and Android.
Okay, But Can It Work Long-Term?
Crypto-based creator apps aren’t new. India’s Chingari has pulled in 180M users with a similar model. But retention is tricky, and creator loyalty shifts fast.
Here’s what Own has going for it:
- A solid founding team with tech, product, and app-building pedigree
- A focus on fair revenue splits
- $5M+ in funding from investors including Sarah Mick, Saba Capital, Base Spin Capital, and more
Here’s what it still needs:
- Proof of sustainability (tokenomics don’t feed people if they collapse)
- Mainstream creator trust
- A user experience that doesn’t feel like “just another blockchain thing”
Could This Be The Future of Creator Paychecks?
Own is pitching itself as more than an app. It’s a statement.
In a world where algorithms pick winners, Own is trying to make payouts democratic not gamified.
But can they get creators to actually care about tokens? Can they build community, not just cashouts?
We’ll be watching.
