2026-01-15 19:22:19

Recently, I observed an interesting shift. Kaito founder Yu Hu announced the shutdown of Yaps and the incentive leaderboard, shifting focus to launching Kaito Studio. This sounds like a strategic adjustment, but it actually reflects deeper underlying issues.

Their conclusion after discussions with the social platform team is that a completely permissionless distribution system is no longer feasible. The new Studio is more like a traditional multi-level marketing model—brands collaborate with creators based on established standards and clear scopes, no longer an open "anyone can join" approach.

This change is not isolated. Nikita Bier, head of social platform products, also spoke out, saying that API policies will be revised, and in the future, applications that encourage users to post (like those similar to "infofi") will no longer have API access. The reason is straightforward: such mechanisms lead to platforms being flooded with AI spam and meaningless replies.

Yu Hu also mentioned that by 2026, Kaito aims to surpass CT as the main platform and will expand its focus from the crypto field to a broader scope. It seems the entire incentive ecosystem is moving towards optimization—from laissez-faire to more orderly management.

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QuietlyStaking

· 6h ago

From unlicensed to licensed, it sounds like regulation, isn't it still the same centralized approach? But on the other hand, dealing with rampant spam is indeed necessary. Most mechanisms driven by incentives are often meaningless. Outperforming CT in 2026? Let's first solve the current problems. It feels like the crypto community is about to enter another round of intense competition, with stories of moving from radical to conservative repeating every year. This round of adjustment, to put it plainly, is the platform wanting more say.

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FlashLoanLarry

· 6h ago

Another "open" dream has been shattered. To be honest, there are just too many trash Is permissionless distribution being blocked? It should have been like this a long time ago, otherwise platforms will be full of bots and fake accounts Kaito wants to be the main platform? First, improve the quality before talking This is called reality. When idealism meets spam, compromises are inevitable API restrictions are a bit harsh, but anyway, those incentive games don't have much real value From "anyone can join" to brand collaborations, it sounds like power has been centralized Ordered management sounds good, but in reality, it just means holding the discourse power Become the main platform by 2026? Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Fix the current problems first The trash ecosystem will inevitably be cleaned up. Nothing surprising about that; the market will self-correct This shift actually reveals a fact: incentive systems are easily abused, truly

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DancingCandles

· 6h ago

Licensing turned into permission, in simple terms, the ecosystem is starting to tighten Another story of "freedom" turning into "regulation," industry cycles again Kaito wants to be the main platform? First clean up the trash accounts Isn't this the common problem in early Web3, where anything can be done and eventually everything falls apart It seems that the essence of the incentive mechanism is self-destruction The Studio model is quite ironic, claiming to be decentralized, but now it's the same as traditional marketing API restrictions are the right move, otherwise the Ton ecosystem would also be flooded by AI bot spam Surpassing CT in 2026? It's a bit hasty to say that now... As I said before, unlimited openness will only attract trash, it needs to be regulated

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DataOnlooker

· 6h ago

From no license to licensing, it seems even crypto has to learn the traditional corporate approach, haha --- AI garbage everywhere, no wonder platforms want to cut costs, they should have regulated it long ago --- Overtaking CT in 2026? First, clear up the mess now --- From anyone can join to hierarchical cooperation... this shift is quite sudden, it feels like the ecosystem is being reset --- Another story of going from open to closed, still the same old logic --- Yaps shut down, the leaderboard is gone, this time it's really a reshuffle --- Once API restrictions are in place, many projects will lose sleep, they won't even spare the API --- Incentive models turning into traditional marketing, is this a step back or forward? I really can't tell --- From wild growth to orderly management, the story of Web3 keeps cycling --- Brand cooperation systems sound high-end, but actually the threshold has just gone up

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FadCatcher

· 6h ago

Turning unlicensed into licensed. Politely, it's called regulation, but actually it just raises the barriers. What about those small creators?

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BloodInStreets

· 6h ago

Another "permissionless" system has been halted by reality. This round of losses hurts a bit. But to be honest, wild ecosystems don't last long to begin with; they will eventually be tamed by regulations. The opportunity to buy the dip has actually arrived.

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New_Ser_Ngmi

· 6h ago

From no license to licensed— is this the fate of Web3... Feels like we're repeating the old path of traditional internet again. Wait, if Yaps turns off the incentive leaderboard, can it still survive? Isn't that cutting off its core? Kaito wants to eliminate CT? First, fix its own garbage content issues. API restrictions, brand reviews—freedom is becoming more and more stifling. This is what they call "optimization"... sounds more like forced compromise.

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