A problem people bring · solved

Streaming pays my band almost nothing

Your fans can pay you directly in USDC through a tip jar you own, with no label or distributor in the middle, and one fan tipping two dollars can beat hundreds of streams. Add a social account no platform can take. It works best once you have fans; streaming still brings discovery.

  • 3 stops
  • 35 minutes, all in
  • 3 surprises
  • 1 live demo
Walk the routefirst, who knew?

Chapter 1

Who knew?

the bits nobody tells you
Oh! #1
A track needs at least 1,000 streams in the past 12 months before Spotify pays any recording royalty on it.
Spotify introduced the threshold in April 2024.
Oh! #2
One fan tipping two dollars can beat hundreds of streams.
US estimates put Spotify at roughly 0.4 cents per stream in early 2026, before distributor cuts.
Oh! #3
You can own the payment page itself, as your own contract, without a payments company account.
Deployr's USDC Tip Jar runs on Base with no backend or Circle account.
People assume

Selling direct means building a website and paying a payments company.

Actually

Fans pay cents in gas to send USDC on Base; you keep the rest. Deploying your own tip jar costs gas only. Cashing out costs a ramp spread.

Chapter 2

The free route, step by step

tap a stop to do it now

3 stops, cheapest first

  1. Stop 1 · BuildOwn a working onchain app with your name on itGas only for ready apps; refundable deposit for built-to-order15 minDeployr Shipyard
  2. Stop 2 · PublishBuild a following that no platform can take awayFree to sign up; some apps charge a small yearly storage fee for heavy use10 minFarcaster
  3. Stop 3 · PaySend dollars across a border in secondsFree on testnet; small USDC gas on mainnet10 minArc

Three ways through

Pick your route

free, bold, or build the missing piece
  1. Start free tonight

    Own the line to your fans

    Put your music on Audius and your updates on Farcaster, where no algorithm owns your fans.

    1. Build a following that no platform can take away
    2. Upload your best live track to Audius.

    Cost Free.

  2. The bold play

    Give fans a coin that unlocks the real stuff

    Audius Artist Coins let holders open exclusive tracks and chats, and the band earns from trading fees.

    1. Give your fans a coin that unlocks the real stuff
    2. Send dollars across a border in seconds
    3. Put a QR code on stage.

    Cost Free to start. Coin prices swing; never promise fans profit.

  3. Build it

    Build the gig-night supporters wall

    Built by the House

    Nobody has built a stage QR page that takes tips and shows a live holders wall. The House will build it with you.

    1. Own a working onchain app with your name on it
    2. Publish a page that stays online without a host

    Cost Build time; a tip jar costs gas only.

    Build it yourselfwith Deployr Build it with the Housein the Workshop

Your version

Make this mine

Tell the Engine where you stand and it re-routes this answer for you. Three free a day, shared with Ask the Engine. Engine Pro members get unlimited.

What I already have

Past the basics

What’s possible

live today, or yours to build

Project + project

Combos nobody marketed

A + B = something new
  • Audius Artist Coina gig QR

    Fans at the show join the club in one scan.

    Why it works Coins live on Solana, so joining costs cents.

  • USDC tipsFarcaster

    Thank tippers by name to your followers.

    Why it works Posts and payments both live onchain.

  • Artist Coina gated track

    Holders get the song first.

    Why it works Audius supports holder-only unlocks.

Chapter 3

Try it live

Built by the House

Do not take our word for it. USDC Tip Jar (Deployr) runs right here, so you can poke at the real thing before you commit to anything.

Wallet or sign-in will not open in here? Open USDC Tip Jar (Deployr) in a new tab ↗

Chapter 4

Where it matters most

  • independent bands with loyal fans

    Small, committed audiences pay more directly than through streams.

  • artists in countries Stripe does not serve

    USDC works where card processors do not.

  • live acts

    A QR code at the merch table takes tips from anywhere.

Chapter 5 · Not built yet?

Build it

A gig-night QR page that takes USDC tips and shows a live supporters wall on stage.

Who could build it Bands and live performers.

Build it yourselfwith Deployr Build it with the Housein the Workshop

For founders

Uses you never marketed

All projects →
FarcasterUnmarketed use

Bands can carry their followers across apps, so a ban or algorithm change does not erase the audience.

ArcUnmarketed use

Paying gas in USDC makes fan payments simple for people who hold only dollars.

Connections

People to meet

Propose a bridge →
  • Audius

    Ask how Artist Coins work for a small band.

    Say hello
  • Farcaster

    Build an audience no platform can take.

    Say hello
  • other indie bands

    Swap tips on direct fan income.

    Go there
  • builders

    Build the supporters wall.

    Go there

Propose a bridgetwo projects, one outcome neither could reach alone

Questions

Can my band get paid in crypto without a label or distributor?

Yes. Fans can send USDC to your wallet or tip jar directly. You still need a distributor for streaming platforms.

Will fans need crypto to tip us in USDC?

They need USDC in a wallet. Some will need help buying it, so offer clear steps and other payment options too.

Does selling direct to fans replace streaming income?

It adds to it. Streaming brings discovery; direct payment turns committed fans into real income.

Is fan income in USDC taxable for my band?

Usually yes, as income. Tax rules vary, so keep records and ask a local tax adviser.

The spark

Who are the twenty fans who come to every gig, and what would they happily pay for?

Talk to the House about itBuild it with us

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