Cardstack

Cardstack is an open-source framework and protocol that functions as an experience layer for the decentralized internet, founded in 2014 by Chris Tse. Tse, a technologist with a background in computer science from Columbia University and experience leading innovation at Fortune 500 companies like McGraw-Hill, established Cardstack to create a more equitable and sustainable model for software development. The project, which has been in continuous development for several years, aims to counter the siloed nature of the current digital landscape, where dominant tech platforms control user data and experiences.

The company operates in the Web3 and decentralized applications (dApps) market, providing tools for both developers and end-users. Its business model revolves around a cooperative, token-based economy. Revenue is generated through a system where users pay for software and services using the native CARD token. These payments are then distributed proportionally among the software developers, service providers, and other contributors within the ecosystem, creating a sustainable financial model for open-source projects. The company completed its Initial Coin Offering (ICO) in 2018, raising approximately $35 million to fund development and ecosystem growth.

Cardstack's core product is a full-stack development environment that simplifies the creation of decentralized applications. It features the Card SDK, a composable UI system, and the Cardstack Hub, a decentralized application server. These tools allow developers to build modular applications, visualized as "cards," which can be mixed, matched, and integrated with various blockchains and cloud services. For end-users, this translates into a cohesive experience where they can orchestrate workflows across different dApps without managing separate subscriptions or tokens. Key features include Card Pay, a DeFi payment protocol; Card Space, a tool for creating storefronts; and a forthcoming Card Reward system for recurring user incentives. This framework is designed to be a no-code platform for consumers and a customizable runtime for enterprises, ultimately aiming to make Web3 accessible to a mass audience.

Keywords: decentralized applications, open-source framework, Web3, blockchain, dApps, SaaS, Chris Tse, Cardstack Hub, CARD token, composable software, decentralized software ecosystem, token economy, full-stack development, user experience layer, smart contracts, crypto, DeFi, payment protocol, no-code platform, sustainable software