Introduction

How the CANI Ecosystem Solves Key Challenges

Today’s creatives are routinely hindered by infrastructure failings that have become accepted as integral to the professional experience. The received systems are rife with inefficiencies, monopolistic practices, and barriers that hinder growth and success for creators, primarily in the music industry, while also extending to other digital asset domains such as art, literature, and texts for the performing arts.

The CANI ecosystem was founded to tackle these pressing challenges, which are further illustrated by the following statistics.

Low Artist Revenues	Artists' share of global streaming revenue remains limited despite strong growth. Streaming revenue, accounting for 67.3% of global music income, rose by 10.4% in 2023, yet artists continue to receive a limited percentage due to platform and label deductions. This imbalance challenges artists’ financial sustainability even as global music revenues increase.
Inefficient Licensing	Complexity in cross-border licensing remains a challenge. Due to inconsistent enforcement of IP laws across the EU, creators face prolonged processes to secure their rights, which impacts their ability to efficiently monetize content across Member States.
Copyright Infringement	Digital piracy and unauthorized use of music, especially in generative AI training, remain significant threats to revenue. The EU's approach to AI regulation aims to protect creators from these infringements, as illegal access to music through digital channels results in substantial financial losses for the industry.
Fragmented Fan Relationships	With 80% of music consumed digitally, social media and streaming platforms dominate fan interaction. However, artists report challenges in maintaining direct, cohesive connections with audiences due to the fragmentation across these digital channels, as the fan experience continues to shift toward short-form content on multiple platforms.

The CANI Ecosystem: A Comprehensive Solution

The critical issues listed above are addressed through the CANI Ecosystem’s three core services - CaniSafe, CaniStore, and CaniPlay. The three services empower creators by enhancing their ability to thrive in the digital-first world.

Each CANI service solution addresses a specific body of problems:

1. CANISafe: Data Security & Digital Asset Management

The Problem

The digital age presents unique challenges for data protection and compliance.

Key issues include:

Risk of Data Breaches and unauthorised Access	Digital piracy continues to be a substantial issue, with the EU struggling to enforce copyright laws consistently across Member States. This gap enables illegal websites to operate freely, contributing to significant revenue losses for creators and heightening the risk of unauthorized access and piracy.
Lack of Ownership Clarity	According to the IFPI, 76% of surveyed artists believe that their work should not be used without their explicit permission, highlighting ongoing issues in securing clear ownership and rights over digital assets. This lack of clarity often leads to unauthorized use and copyright disputes.
Complexity in Asset Management	With the EU music market's growth at only 8.7%, lagging behind global growth rates, creators face increased challenges in managing their digital assets efficiently across borders due to the varied enforcement of IP laws. This environment complicates asset management for creators and hampers profitability.
Regulatory Compliance Challenges	Over 66% of European businesses struggle with compliance issues related to GDPR and the Digital Services Act, which imposes stringent requirements on data management and protection for digital content. This regulatory complexity poses additional pressures for artists and businesses handling digital assets.
Vulnerability of Intellectual Property	Vulnerability of Intellectual Property: Digital piracy and streaming fraud significantly impact the revenue of legitimate creators. As streaming accounts for over 67% of global revenue, the prevalence of artificial “plays” and fraudulent streaming activities diverts income from genuine artists, undermining intellectual property integrity and fair earnings.

​The Solution

CaniSafe addresses these challenges by providing a user-centric, decentralised data trust and compliance solution:

Enhanced Data Protection	CaniSafe provides a decentralised, compliant solution that encrypts data on-chain, ensuring that unauthorised access is prevented and giving users full control over their assets, whether they are individual creators or organisations.
True Ownership and Control	CaniSafe allows both creators and businesses to manage and verify their ownership rights directly, minimising the risk of disputes and ensuring clarity over their assets.
Streamlined Asset Management	CaniSafe simplifies the process by allowing users to store and manage all their digital assets in one secure location, improving efficiency and workflow for both individual creators and companies.
Regulatory Assurance	CaniSafe’s architecture is designed to comply with GDPR and other regulations, providing users—whether individuals or businesses—peace of mind regarding their data handling practices.
Robust IP Protection	CaniSafe protects users’ intellectual property by offering secure storage and access control, ensuring that only authorised individuals can access their work, thus safeguarding both creators’ and businesses’ rights.

By establishing a secure environment for data ownership and compliance, CaniSafe significantly enhances the protection of personal information and digital assets.

2. CANIStore: Content Licensing & Monetisation

The Problem

The landscape of copyright management and monetisation in Europe presents significant challenges for creators, which can lead to financial loss and frustration.

Key issues include:

Fragmented Licensing Processes	Traditional licensing processes are often fragmented, which brings confusion and delays. A 2023 report by The Economist highlights that 45% of creators face difficulties in navigating licensing agreements.
Low Revenue from Current Streaming Platforms	Most creators find that the current digital platforms take a significant portion of their earnings, which leaves them with minimal revenue. According to Music Industry Research, the average creator earns only 30% of their potential revenue after platform fees.
Limited Market Access	Creators often struggle to reach potential clients due to a lack of visibility on current digital platforms. A survey by Deloitte found that 70% of creators feel that they miss out on opportunities because their work isn’t adequately showcased.
Challenges in Building Relationships with Clients	Regular digital platforms make it difficult for creators to connect directly with their audience. According to a study by The Creative Independent, 65% of creators believe that building direct relationships is crucial for their success.
Difficulties in Monetising Diverse Content	Many creators struggle to monetise different types of content effectively. A report from PwC revealed that 58% of creators feel limited by the monetisation options available on current platforms.

The Solution

CaniStore clarifies copyright management and monetisation as a comprehensive solution to empower creators.

Streamlined Licensing Solutions	CaniStore simplifies licensing through a transparent protocol that allows creators to easily manage their rights and agreements, reducing confusion and speeding up the process.
Direct monetisation Opportunities	CaniStore enables creators to license their content directly to consumers and businesses, allowing them to retain a larger share of their earnings and diversify their revenue streams.
Increased Exposure and Accessibility	By connecting creators with a community of consumers, CaniStore enhances market access and visibility for creators, helping them to attract new clients and fans.
Strengthened Creator-Consumer Relationships	CaniStore facilitates direct engagement between creators and their audience, fostering a sense of community and loyalty that enhances customer relationships.
Diverse monetisation Avenues	CaniStore offers various monetisation options, including downloads, merchandise sales, gated content, and ticketing, so creators can tailor their revenue strategies toward specific content types.

Through CaniStore, creators can reclaim control over their copyrights and enhance revenue potential while building meaningful relationships with their communities.

3. CANIPlay: Broadcasting & Royalty Distribution

The Problem

The traditional music broadcasting landscape faces numerous challenges that negatively impact artists, listeners, and the industry as a whole.

Lack of Control Over Broadcast Opportunities	Many artists struggle to gain airtime on regular radio platforms, where a few decision-makers control what gets played. According to Music Business Worldwide, independent musicians account for only 5% of total radio airplay. Additionally, a survey by Symphonic Distribution found that 90% of musicians feel that gatekeepers prevent them from achieving radio success.
Low Royalties and Delayed Payments	Most artists receive minimal royalties from streaming services, with intermediaries taking a significant share. A report by Rolling Stone (2023) states that streaming platforms pay artists an average of 0.003 to 0.005 USD per stream. In the UK, artists face delays in royalty payments from radio play that can extend beyond the standard three-month quarterly payouts from organisations like PRS. Some artists have reported waiting years for their royalties.
Limited Audience Engagement	Current digital platforms offer few opportunities for artists to interact with their audience. A survey by MusicWatch found that 65% of music listeners prefer platforms that allow more interaction with artists. Interactive platforms can show a 150% higher fan engagement rate compared to traditional broadcasting services (MIDiA Research, 2023)
Inequitable Payment Structures	Many broadcasting platforms employ complex payment structures that do not fairly compensate all artists. A 2024 study by IFPI found that 54% of artists feel their income is inadequate due to opaque payment models.
Limited Content Discovery	Independent artists often find it hard to get discovered in a crowded marketplace. A report by Nielsen states that over 80% of music listeners discover new music through recommendations, yet many independent artists lack marketing resources that would enable broader discovery.

The Solution

CaniPlay addresses these challenges by offering a decentralised, community-driven broadcasting platform.

Empowering Artist Autonomy	By utilising CaniPlay, artists can upload their music directly and take control of their airtime. Community-driven voting ensures that playlists reflect audience preferences rather than gatekeeper decisions.
Low Royalties Fair and Immediate Royalty Distribution	CaniPlay offers a transparent digital currency payment model that allows artists to receive direct payments immediately, eliminating the long waits associated with traditional royalty systems.
Enhancing Community Connection	With CaniPlay, features like live broadcasts and community-driven discussions enable artists to build stronger relationships with their fans, enhancing loyalty and engagement.
Inequitable Payment Structures	CaniPlay implements a clear and straightforward payment structure, ensuring that all contributors are compensated fairly and transparently for their work and aligning incentives with actual contributions.
Enhancing Discoverability Through Community	CaniPlay boosts content discoverability by leveraging community recommendations and advanced algorithms prioritising user engagement, helping independent artists reach a broader audience.

By addressing critical issues in broadcasting, CaniPlay revolutionises the experience for both artists and listeners via a vibrant ecosystem.

4. The Main Points in Brief

The CANI ecosystem addresses critical challenges in the digital content landscape, providing solutions designed to empower creators, businesses, and consumers.

Streamlined Royalty Distribution

CaniPlay reimagines how artists receive compensation. By leveraging digital currencies, CaniPlay ensures instant royalty payments, eliminating the delays and uncertainties commonly experienced with traditional systems. This direct payment model cultivates transparency and fairness, allowing creators to focus on their craft with greater financial security.

Enhanced Data Security and Asset Management

CaniSafe offers a robust framework for safeguarding digital assets. With a focus on compliance with regulations like GDPR, CaniSafe employs advanced encryption to protect sensitive information. It also clarifies ownership rights and simplifies asset management, mitigating the risks of data breaches and intellectual property infringement.

Facilitates Direct Content Licensing and Monetisation

CaniStore streamlines the licensing process, enabling creators to connect directly with their audiences and monetise their work effectively. By voiding intermediaries, CaniStore ensures creators retain a larger share of their earnings while growing a thriving community.

These integrated services work together to address the challenges faced by digital content creators and consumers. The CANI ecosystem promotes a more equitable, transparent, and collaborative creative landscape, empowering all participants to harness their full potential while protecting their rights and interests.