Gari Network is a blockchain infrastructure that supports short-form video creators on the Chingari app in India. It enables content monetization through blockchain technology and offers governance rights via a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO). The GARI token serves as the native cryptocurrency, providing various utilities within the ecosystem. ^[12]

Overview

Gari Network, established in August 2021 by Sumit Ghosh, Deepak Salvi, Biswatma Nayak, and Aditya Kothari, operates within the Chingari app, launched in November 2018. The network utilizes blockchain technology to support content creators. Initial funding included a $300k grant from Solana, a $4 million seed round, and a $15 million private sale, followed by a $6 million initial DEX offering (IDO) in Q4 2021.

In 2022, Gari introduced features such as the Chingari wallet, Gari Mining, and NFTs. By 2023, it expanded to multi-chain support and launched the Gari Academy. Plans for 2024 involve the introduction of SDK services for Aptos and enhancements to its NFT offerings. ^[2]

Use Cases

Gari Network allows creators to earn GARI tokens, viewers to tip and access premium content, and advertisers to pay for ads. Users can also stake tokens in Creator Pools to support creators and share in potential revenue. ^[2]

It leverages blockchain technology to enhance the Chingari app, providing several key use cases: ^[1]

• Creator Monetization: Creators can earn through tips, content gating, and staking pools, offering new revenue streams beyond traditional ads.
• Commerce and Social Shopping: Users can make in-app purchases and creators can host live shopping events, integrating e-commerce with video content.
• NFT Integration: Creators can mint, trade, and sell NFTs, creating unique digital collectibles and increasing fan engagement.
• Decentralized Governance: GARI token holders participate in platform governance through a DAO, influencing future development and updates.

Products

Garibot

GariBot is a Telegram trading bot compatible with Solana and Aptos, with future support for Base. It allows users to make purchases by pasting a token address, streamlining the trading process without requiring wallet connections. ^[6]

GariBot also provides White Label Solutions for custom trading bots tailored to token projects and launchpads, featuring: ^[7]

• Custom Branding: Align with the project's identity.
• Seamless Trading Experience: Simplified transactions within Telegram.
• Revenue Stream: Earnings from transaction fees.
• Trading Competitions: Engagement through leaderboards.
• Referral and Burn Mechanism: Customizable rewards and token burns.
• Detailed Dashboard: Performance analytics.
• Full Customization: Adjust messages and trading fees.

These solutions enhance community engagement and increase token utility through streamlined transactions and revenue mechanisms.

Ecosystem

Chingari

Chingari is India's first social network to introduce crypto tokens, with over 32 million monthly active users and nearly 85 million downloads. The GARI token serves as the platform's social token, supporting features like customized videos, a song library, augmented reality filters, and multilingual content. ^[10]

Built on the Solana blockchain, GARI allows creators to set up e-commerce areas and develop NFTs. The platform also plans to partner with direct-to-consumer brands for shoppable videos, enabling users to buy featured products using GARI tokens. Additionally, GARI provides governance rights within a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO), fostering a shared economy for creators and users.

Chingari Wallet

Chingari Wallet is a digital payment solution integrated with users' crypto wallets, such as Phantom, which is designed for DeFi and NFTs. To activate the Chingari Wallet, users must complete a Know Your Customer (KYC) process, verifying their identity, address, and phone number. This wallet enables users to manage and transact with $GARI tokens effectively. ^[8]

Tokenomics

Gari Network ($GARI)

The $GARI token is the native currency of the Chingari platform, aimed at empowering creators and enhancing their influence within the ecosystem. Users can earn $GARI tokens by creating or viewing content, promoting a monetization model that rewards creativity.

This initiative supports the creator economy in India by providing ethical compensation, encouraging the production of engaging content within a sustainable community. ^[9]

Collaborative Mechanics

Gari Network fosters community involvement through: ^[4]

• Governance: Users stake GARI tokens in the Chingari DAO to vote on platform decisions and influence its development.
• Creator Pools: Fans support creators by staking GARI, giving creators early funding in exchange for a share of future earnings.
• Token-Gated Content: Staking GARI grants access to exclusive content, encouraging more direct creator support.

Technical Mechanics

• Tipping: Users tip creators with GARI, with blockchain tracking all transactions.
• Influencer Marketplace: Creators earn GARI for sponsored content, and users can buy advertised products with tokens.
• Chingari Skills & Digital Goods: Creators sell courses and digital items, like NFTs, using GARI tokens.

Allocation

The total supply of GARI tokens is 997.40 million, distributed as follows: ^[5]

• Private/Pre-sale: 20.05% (200 million)
• Public sale: 22.53% (224.75 million)
• Community reserves: 25%
• Team allocation: 15%
• Rewards: 15%
• SAFTO: 12.48%
• Other: 32.52%

Key Partnerships

Chingari Launch on SolRazr

Chingari has partnered with SolRazr to facilitate one of the largest Initial DEX Offerings (IDOs) for the $GARI token. This collaboration aims to provide creators on the Chingari platform with tools for developing e-commerce ecosystems, including physical merchandise and NFTs. The IDO process is designed to be user-friendly, eliminating the need for whitelisting. ^[9]

Collaboration with Republic

Chingari has also engaged with the Republic platform, successfully raising approximately $12.3 million during a 24-hour sale. This partnership is focused on enhancing the monetization opportunities for creators and users on the Chingari platform, aligning with Republic’s vision of integrating social tokens into the creator economy. Prior to this, Chingari secured over $19 million from various venture funds and individual investors. ^[9]

Chainlink Integration on Solana

Gari DAO has partnered with Chainlink to integrate its Price Feeds into the Chingari app on the Solana Mainnet. This collaboration enhances the app's functionality by enabling smart contracts and supporting e-commerce ads and prediction markets. Chainlink was chosen for its reliable infrastructure and extensive market data expertise, providing transparent and accurate pricing. This partnership aims to incentivize content creation and improve user engagement within the Chingari community. ^[10]

Team

• Deepak Salvi: Co-Founder and COO, Salvi has over 20 years of industry experience and was a key figure in the launch of Zee5's OTT platform.
• Sumit Ghosh: CEO and Chief of Product Growth, Ghosh successfully scaled his first startup to generate $9 million in revenue and specializes in user acquisition strategies.
• Biswatma Nayak: Co-Founder and CTO, Nayak has developed 15 social media automation tools and dating apps, achieving over 1 million users.
• Aditya Kothari: Co-Founder, COO, and Chief of Strategy, Kothari has expertise in creating strategies for building, launching, and scaling various B2C companies.^[11]