Decentralized Social is a blockchain enabling decentralized social apps, prioritizing user privacy, ownership, and monetization without intermediaries

Today’s social media platforms are dominated by centralized entities, giving them excessive control over user data, content moderation, and monetization. This centralization often leads to privacy concerns, censorship, and unfair revenue distribution, leaving users with little ownership of their online presence. The need for a fairer, more transparent alternative has become increasingly evident. Blockchain technology offers a promising solution by enabling decentralized platforms where users regain control of their data and interactions. Decentralized Social (DESO) leverages this innovation to create a decentralized ecosystem, aiming to redefine how social media operates in the digital age.

What is Decentralized Social (DESO)?

Decentralized Social (DeSo), founded in January 2019 by Nader Al-Naji, emerged as a blockchain dedicated to decentralizing social media. Al-Naji, a former software engineer at D.E. Shaw Group and Google, had previously raised $133 million for Basis, an algorithmic stablecoin project, showcasing his ability to drive large-scale blockchain initiatives. DeSo was built to address the limitations of existing blockchains, which struggled with social media applications’ storage and scalability requirements.

The DeSo blockchain is supported by the DeSo Foundation, a non-profit organization with a $200 million treasury promoting decentralized social ecosystems. The foundation launched the blockchain publicly in Q3 2021, introducing features like on-chain social profiles, posts, and encrypted DMs, establishing DeSo as a pioneer in decentralized social technologies. That same year, DeSo became one of the fastest layer-1 blockchains to list on Coinbase, further boosting its visibility.

To support its mission, the DeSo Foundation unveiled the $50 million Octane Fund in October 2021, designed to incentivize developers to build on the platform. In 2022, DeSo continued to innovate by launching features like a decentralized order-book DEX and Hypersync technology, which reduced blockchain sync times dramatically.

By 2024, DeSo expanded its vision with the Revolution PoS upgrade, offering 1-second confirmation times and advanced staking features, alongside the launch of Focus, a platform for creating and trading on-chain tokens. DeSo’s roadmap positions it as a scalable, blockchain-based social media infrastructure leader.

Decentralized Social (DeSo) envisions a future in which creators own and monetize their content powered by blockchain technology. DeSo fosters an open, collaborative ecosystem by eliminating centralized control with innovative features like social tokens, decentralized feeds, and data-sharing nodes. This empowers creators with unprecedented reach, direct follower relationships, and diverse monetization tools, aiming to revolutionize social media and promote global competition and innovation.

How Does Decentralized Social Work? Architecture and Deso Identity

Decentralized Social (DeSo) architecture is uniquely designed to meet the complex demands of decentralized social media applications, operating on a highly scalable bare-metal infrastructure. Unlike general-purpose blockchains like Ethereum, which are optimized for financial transactions, DeSo specializes in handling social platform storage-heavy and transaction-intensive requirements. By leveraging custom storage and indexing mechanisms, DeSo enables decentralized social networks to function efficiently at scale, addressing challenges that traditional blockchains cannot.

At its core, DeSo’s architecture is comparable to an advanced Bitcoin node, enhanced to support diverse transaction types such as posts, likes, follows, and social graphs. This specialization allows DeSo to implement schema-specific storage and indexing logic, optimizing how data is processed and queried. For instance, when users update their username, DeSo nodes efficiently verify its availability using fast key-value lookups. Such tasks, prohibitively expensive on general-purpose blockchains, are streamlined on DeSo thanks to its tailored architecture. These efficiencies ensure that even complex operations, like verifying NFT bids or listing recent posts, are performed rapidly, maintaining a user experience competitive with centralized platforms.

A defining feature of DeSo’s architecture is its infinite-state capability. Unlike finite-state applications, which only need to store final balances, social media applications require storing every user action, such as creating posts, following others, and interacting with content. DeSo’s infrastructure handles this by storing and indexing these actions as structured data, allowing nodes to query vast datasets instantly. This approach significantly reduces operational complexity and storage costs, making decentralized social networks financially viable. For example, displaying a user’s recent posts or determining who liked a post are operations that DeSo executes efficiently at scale.

Source: docs.deso.org

The platform’s bare-metal foundation offers additional advantages, including reduced latency and increased scalability. General-purpose blockchains run through virtual machines, adding overhead that limits performance. In contrast, DeSo processes transactions directly on bare metal, ensuring near-instant response times. This design also simplifies node operations, encouraging decentralization by lowering the technical and financial barriers to running a node. Each node contributes to consensus and builds and maintains its own indexes, ensuring the ecosystem remains decentralized and resilient as it scales.

DeSo’s architecture is further enhanced by its innovative approach to scalability. The recently implemented Revolution Proof of Stake (PoS) upgrade supports over 500 posts per second and offers one-second confirmation times. Future scalability plans include bigger blocks, hypersync, and sharding, which can support a user base of one billion. These developments ensure DeSo remains at the forefront of decentralized social technology, bridging the gap between decentralized innovation and the needs of large-scale social applications. This architecture positions DeSo as a transformative force in the evolution of social media platforms.

Deso Identity

The DeSo Identity Service is a cornerstone of the decentralized social experience, offering a streamlined and secure way for users to manage their digital identities and interactions across applications built on the DeSo blockchain. Unlike traditional Web2 platforms, where identity and data are siloed within specific ecosystems, DeSo Identity empowers users to create a single profile that seamlessly carries their social graph, content, and reputation across all apps in the decentralized ecosystem.

At its core, DeSo Identity addresses the complexities of blockchain-based identity management, where cryptographic key pairs form the backbone of user authentication. Each user operates with a pair of public and private keys, akin to usernames and passwords in traditional systems. However, managing these cryptographic elements can be challenging, especially for developers aiming to integrate blockchain features into their applications. To simplify this, DeSo Identity acts as an intermediary, abstracting the technical intricacies while maintaining robust security standards.

Applications interact with DeSo Identity primarily through web-based APIs, supporting iframe and window contexts to handle tasks like login, transaction signing, and data encryption. These contexts enable background operations such as key verification and user-interactive actions like account creation or transaction approvals. The service leverages public key cryptography to ensure that only authorized users can access or modify data, providing security and transparency.

A unique feature of DeSo Identity is its support for derived keys, designed specifically for mobile environments. Derived keys are temporary cryptographic credentials that allow mobile applications to operate securely without exposing users’ primary private keys. These keys expire after a set period or can be revoked anytime, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected even in dynamic mobile use cases.

Source: DeSo.com

Users benefit from a cohesive and flexible identity system that prioritizes security and interoperability. For instance, users can log into a decentralized blogging platform, engage with their social graph, and transfer the same profile to a decentralized gaming platform without losing any of their data or connections. This ability to maintain a consistent identity across applications is transformative, offering users unprecedented control over their digital presence. By integrating DeSo Identity, developers can focus on creating innovative applications while relying on a secure, standardized identity layer.

Decentralized Social Use Cases

Decentralized Social (DeSo) offers a transformative approach to online interactions by leveraging blockchain technology to address the limitations of traditional platforms. With its open architecture, DeSo enables innovative applications that redefine how users engage, create, and monetize digitally. Here are some key use cases:

• Content Ownership and Monetization: Creators fully own their content, bypassing intermediaries that typically control distribution and earnings. Features like social tokens, NFTs, and tipping allow creators to directly monetize their work, offering fans new ways to support their favorite creators while enhancing transparency and fairness.
• Cross-Platform Identity and Social Graph: DeSo enables users to create a single identity that works seamlessly across multiple applications. Whether switching between a blogging platform, a gaming app, or a professional network, users can carry their profile, content, and relationships with them, eliminating the silos created by traditional platforms.
• Customizable Feeds and Decentralized Moderation: Users and developers can create tailored content feeds using DeSo’s decentralized architecture. For instance, a sports organization might curate a dedicated sports feed, while individual users can customize their own feeds with unique ranking algorithms. This flexibility also extends to content moderation, allowing communities to implement their own standards while ensuring transparency.
• Decentralized Marketplaces and Applications: Beyond social media, DeSo’s infinite-state capabilities make it an ideal foundation for decentralized marketplaces and applications. Developers can build scalable apps with efficient data storage and indexing, from e-commerce platforms to community-driven projects, without relying on centralized infrastructure.

Decentralized Social Main Features

Decentralized Social (DeSo) integrates blockchain technology into social networking, offering innovative tools that redefine user engagement, content creation, and monetization. Below is an exploration of its key features:

Associations: Structuring Social Interactions

Associations on DeSo form the foundation of its decentralized social graph by encoding relationships between users and posts directly onto the blockchain. These associations act as a dynamic framework for expressing interactions such as endorsements, reactions, and content tagging. For example, users can endorse one another for skills, akin to LinkedIn, or report and block others to maintain safety within the ecosystem. Post associations extend this by allowing users to express nuanced reactions to content, such as upvotes, downvotes, or tagging posts as “NSFW.” With association types and values being fully customizable, the system offers infinite possibilities for applications, including creating subreddit-style communities or using tags to sort and moderate content. Associations leverage blockchain’s transparency and security to ensure interactions are trustworthy, tamper-proof, and globally accessible across all apps on DeSo.

Creator Coins: Monetizing Social Influence

Creator coins are a revolutionary way for users to monetize their reputation and foster deeper connections with their audience. Every profile on DeSo has its unique coin, whose value dynamically adjusts as people buy or sell it. This feature enables creators to build their financial ecosystems while allowing supporters to align their interests with the creator’s success. By integrating creator coins into social experiences, such as gated premium content or exclusive interactions, DeSo transforms social impact into tangible value. For instance, creators can restrict their comments section to coin-holders or reward their top supporters with exclusive benefits like private Q&A sessions. This direct, transparent interaction removes intermediaries and enhances the creator-fan relationship while incentivizing positive engagement within the ecosystem.

Source: docs.deso.org

Feeds and Moderation: Personalized Content Curation

DeSo gives users unparalleled control over content curation and moderation by enabling them to operate their own nodes. Each node is a gateway to the vast stream of DeSo data, including posts, follows, and creator coin trades. Node operators can curate feeds tailored to specific themes, such as sports highlights or political discourse, without reliance on centralized algorithms. Moderation tools, including blacklisting and whitelisting, empower operators to manage harmful content while maintaining transparency. This approach democratizes content distribution and allows publishers, developers, and users to craft social experiences that resonate with niche audiences. Furthermore, businesses can seamlessly integrate social components into their platforms by leveraging the open data available through DeSo nodes.

Source: docs.deso.org

Social NFTs: Engaging Digital Collectibles

DeSo reimagines the NFT ecosystem by embedding social interaction directly into the ownership experience. Users can showcase their NFT collections on profiles, fostering a culture of digital ownership and social clout. The blockchain’s inherent transparency ensures provenance and authenticity for each NFT, enhancing its value for creators and collectors alike. DeSo also introduces features like exclusive, unlockable content, enabling creators to sell early access to music, digital art, or personalized experiences. Social engagement further amplifies the impact of NFTs, allowing users to comment on, like, and share NFTs, thus transforming digital assets into a participatory experience. By tying royalties to creator coins, DeSo aligns the financial incentives of creators and their supporters, ensuring continued value generation.

Social Tipping: Instant Creator Support

DeSo integrates a seamless tipping mechanism called “diamonds,” allowing users to support creators directly through their content financially. Unlike traditional likes, diamonds carry monetary value and are delivered instantly to the creator’s wallet. This innovation incentivizes high-quality content and fosters a sustainable creator economy, where contributions are recognized and rewarded transparently. For creators, social tipping becomes a scalable income source, with even small audiences capable of generating meaningful financial support. This feature exemplifies DeSo’s commitment to empowering creators by minimizing reliance on intermediaries and fostering a direct, supportive relationship with their audience.

Source: docs.deso.org

Decentralized Social Main Applications

The DeSo blockchain powers various decentralized applications that redefine social, financial, and creative interactions, emphasizing user empowerment and transparency. Here are some of its most prominent applications:

DeSo Wallet

The DeSo Wallet serves as a centralized hub for users to navigate the decentralized social ecosystem. It provides seamless management of creator coins, tokens, NFTs, and social graphs, all underpinned by secure, on-chain identity features. The wallet integrates social elements directly into digital assets, enabling users to create, trade, and engage with NFTs while benefiting from on-chain royalties. It offers an intuitive interface designed for the Web3 era, facilitating interactions with creators and communities alike.

Source: wallet.deso.com

DeSo Chat Protocol

The DeSo Chat Protocol is a censorship-resistant messaging system that bridges communication between DeSo and Ethereum wallets. Leveraging on-chain encryption, it supports decentralized direct messages and group chats at minimal costs. This protocol enables features like NFT profile pictures, paid direct messages, and token-gated group chats, offering developers a foundation to build advanced functionalities. It is fully open-source and underscores DeSo’s commitment to secure, private, and scalable communication solutions.

Source: chat.deso.com

Diamond

Diamond, often described as a “Decentralized Twitter,” transforms social media by allowing creators to monetize content directly. The platform includes features such as NFT minting, cryptocurrency tipping, and creating personalized social tokens, fostering a direct economic relationship between creators and their audience. With advanced tools for creators, seamless blockchain integration, and robust user-driven governance, Diamond empowers creators to build stronger connections, generate sustainable income, and actively shape their digital presence in a decentralized ecosystem. Diamond offers a decentralized alternative to traditional social networks by prioritizing community engagement and creator empowerment.

Source: diamondapp.com

Openfund

Openfund introduces a decentralized approach to fundraising, merging Web3 technology with crowdfunding principles. Designed for startups and online communities, it offers transparent, trustless fundraising capabilities, tokenized equity models, and community engagement. Backers can invest in projects, retain the potential for financial returns, and actively shape innovative ventures, fostering creativity, collaboration, and sustainable growth. With its blockchain-powered infrastructure, Openfund ensures enhanced security, minimizes reliance on intermediaries, and democratizes access to funding, enabling global participation and realizing transformative ideas.

Source: openfund.com

DeSo DEX

The DeSo DEX is a decentralized exchange facilitating the trading of social tokens with a non-custodial order book. With no trading fees and on-chain transparency, the DEX ensures users retain control of their assets while engaging in secure, efficient token exchanges and real-time market interactions. It exemplifies the DeSo blockchain’s dedication to decentralization, user autonomy, and fostering a seamless trading environment for Web3 participants. Additionally, the platform enhances liquidity, enables cross-platform integrations, supports diverse token ecosystems, and empowers traders with advanced analytics and customizable trading tools.

Source: openfund.com/trade

These applications represent just a fraction of what the DeSo ecosystem offers, with new innovations continuously expanding its vibrant and dynamic platform.

What is the DESO Coin?

DESO powers the Decentralized Social Blockchain, enabling social transactions and features. Its maximum supply is capped at 10.8 million units, of which 8.88 million are already in circulation (January 2025).

Unlike traditional social networks that rely on centralized entities, the DESO Coin enables a decentralized ecosystem where users have direct ownership and control over their interactions, content, and social graph. It is a medium of exchange for accessing services, incentivizing network participation, and supporting unique blockchain-native features.

Its transparent and equitable tokenomics distinguishes DESO. With a fixed supply of 10.8 million coins, the tokenomics are designed to prioritize long-term stability and growth. DESO coins were initially distributed through Bitcoin-to-DeSo atomic swaps, ensuring that all holders had “skin in the game” by purchasing their tokens or earning them through proof-of-work mining. This approach contrasts sharply with many other blockchain projects that allocate significant portions of their supply to equity holders or airdrops.

The DESO ecosystem fosters decentralized innovation, allowing developers to create applications without the restrictions imposed by centralized platforms. By integrating features like tipping, NFTs, and creator coins, DESO facilitates novel ways for creators to monetize their work while maintaining ownership and independence.

Additionally, DESO’s state-of-the-art Revolution Proof of Stake mechanism, set to launch soon, aims to enhance network security while introducing deflationary dynamics through a burn-maximizing fee system. This ensures DESO’s long-term value proposition, aligning incentives for creators, developers, and users in a decentralized social landscape.

Is DESO a Good Investment?

DESO offers a unique proposition by decentralizing social media, allowing users to own their data and interactions, which aligns with growing concerns about privacy and platform control. Its fixed supply and deflationary potential add an attractive long-term value perspective. However, as with any emerging technology, DESO faces challenges, including the risk of slow user adoption due to competition from established platforms and the complexity of educating mainstream users about blockchain-based social ecosystems. These factors could impact its growth trajectory.

How to Own DESO?

To own DESO, you can use the services of a centralized crypto exchange. Start by creating a Gate.io account and get it verified and funded. Then, you are ready to go through the steps to buy DESO.

News on Decentralized Social

On December 12, 2024, the official X channel of Decentralized Social announced a new feature for the DeSo blockchain: NFT staking. In collaboration with SharkGang (@SH4RKG4NG), a prominent NFT community on DeSo, this development allows NFT holders to engage in staking, unlocking additional rewards and benefits through ownership and participation. This initiative aims to add utility to digital art, fostering stronger connections between creators and collectors while enhancing the value of community engagement within the DeSo ecosystem.

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