Theta is a decentralized video delivery network, powered by users and an innovative new blockchain. Theta is an open source protocol purpose-built to power the decentralized streaming network and will allow for vertical decentralized apps (DApps) to be built on top of the platform to enable esports, music, TV/movies, education, enterprise conferencing, peer-to-peer streaming, and more. SLIVER.tv’s DApp will be the first application built on the Theta network leveraging its existing user base of millions of esports viewers. DSN and the Theta protocol solve various challenges the video streaming industry faces today. First, Theta tokens are used as an incentive to encourage individual users to share their redundant memory and bandwidth resources as caching nodes for video streams. This improves the quality of stream delivery and solves the “last-mile” delivery problem, the main bottleneck for traditional stream delivery pipelines, especially for high resolution high bitrate 360° virtual reality (VR) streams. Second, with sufficient amount of caching nodes, the majority of viewers will pull streams from peering caching nodes. This significantly reduces content delivery network (CDN) bandwidth costs, which is a major concern for video streaming sites. Lastly, the Theta network greatly improves the streaming market efficiency by streamlining the video delivery process. For example, advertisers can target end viewers at a lower cost and reward influencers more transparently.The Theta blockchain introduces three novel concepts: Reputation Dependent Mining: In the Theta protocol, the caching nodes play the role of miners in the blockchain. The block reward is not a constant, but depends on the reputation score of the caching node that mined the block. To obtain more mining rewards, miners not only spend computation power to mine blocks, but also relay video streams to downstream viewers to increase their reputation scores. Global Reputation Consensus: We propose a mechanism for the Theta network to reach the global consensus on the reputation scores for each caching node. Proof-of-Engagement: We introduce a novel Proof-of-Engagement scheme to prove that viewers legitimately consume the video streams, providing better transparency to advertisers and a basis for viewers to earn Theta tokens for engaging with the content.
Friendz is a digital marketing company whose main goal is to connect brands with their target audience, taking advantage of the most powerful marketing tool ever: “word of mouth”. When we look at what the future holds for us we see global expansion, larger communities of users, more services provided and happier clients. All this made possible by the use of the blockchain technology and the adoption of Friendz Coins, the new standard currency for buying digital services and activate community of engaged users all around the world. Friendz has been actively present in the market since 2016. As of year 2018, we have offered services to more than 200 brands. Our team is composed of 35 people, with different backgrounds and skills, operating in our offices in Switzerland, Italy and Spain. Friendz app boasts over 200,000 organic users who have published well over 3,000,000 pictures in the last two years. In 2016 Friendz received €500,000 worth of financing from Triboo Group, a public company and important player in the digital marketing industry, enabling it to hit the market and create its network. At the end of 2017 revenues amounted to € 1,200,000. Roadmap 1. We plan to use blockchain technology to provide an even safer and reliable experience to our clients. Through the use of a decentralized blockchain technology that the safe transfer of funds and the completion of services will be certified. Friendz platform will become even safer and more advanced technologically thereby protecting the interest of our community and clients worldwide. 2. We plan to decentralize the digital advertising business, creating a traceable single tool that can be adopted globally to activate users and involve them in the creation of advertising campaigns. We are planning to introduce a transparent system that will track the flow of marketing spending on Friendz platform, in a totally revolutional way to digital advertising. The use of Friendz Coins will in fact provide brands with the opportunity to spread their advertising messages and to reach the friends of Friendz users in a genuine and creative way. Users will be rewarded for being active and will use the reward to purchase other services from Friendz. 3. In the long term we want to provide every online activity-as-a-service, in and beyond the world of digital marketing. The idea is to develop a platform where companies can activate large communities of users to perform various activities that will enhance their brands. Our plan is to maintain a focus on digital advertising but with an open eye on new markets and opportunities. Friendz platform will be available to any company that requires services such as validation systems, quick content generation, bug testing, market research and app review. Our clients will not only be B2C companies, but also B2B, and those coming from the blockchain industry, all with the common goal of reaching the final users. The automation of all activities will ensure that Friendz’s role becomes that of merely guaranteeing community participation and engagement in the activities proposed.