What is Audius (AUDIO)?

Deep Dive

1. Purpose & Value Proposition

Audius was created to address major pain points in the traditional music industry: opaque rights ownership, low artist payouts from streaming services, and excessive control by centralized intermediaries. It functions as a decentralized alternative where artists can distribute their music directly to fans, retain control over their content and data, and earn a larger share of revenue. The platform is free for listeners and free to upload for artists, with monetization options like direct sales and tipping.

2. Technology & Architecture

The protocol initially launched on POA Network but migrated to Solana to leverage its high throughput and low transaction costs. Music files are stored and distributed across a decentralized network of "content nodes" and "discovery nodes," which are operated by community members who stake AUDIO tokens. This architecture ensures censorship resistance, uptime, and removes single points of failure that plague centralized platforms.

3. Tokenomics & Ecosystem

The AUDIO token is the economic and governance engine of the network. Artists can earn AUDIO through platform rewards and fan tips, with 100% of tips going directly to them. Fans can stake tokens to unlock VIP tiers for exclusive perks. Node operators must stake AUDIO to run services, securing the network. Governance is decentralized, with token holders voting on proposals. When artists sell music, the network takes a 10% fee that funds the community treasury (Audius Help Center).

Conclusion

At its core, Audius is a Web3-native attempt to create a more equitable and transparent music economy by cutting out intermediaries and empowering creators directly. Can its community-owned model attract enough artists and listeners to challenge the entrenched streaming giants?