Version 1.2.0 January 2026

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1. Executive Summary
2. Platform Overview
3. Technology Architecture
4. Authentication & Identity
5. Streaming Infrastructure
6. Content Delivery Network
7. Monetization Systems
8. NFT Integration
9. XP Reward System
10. Advertisement System
11. Community Features
12. Security Architecture
13. Widget Ecosystem
14. Database Architecture
15. Performance & Scalability
16. Technical Specifications
17. Glossary

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1. Executive Summary

Ghostchain Network is a production-grade video streaming platform built on modern cloud-native infrastructure with native Cardano blockchain integration. Released in January 2026, the platform combines live streaming, Video-on-Demand (VOD) delivery, and creator monetization with blockchain-native payment rails and NFT-gated content access.

Core Value Propositions

For Viewers:

• Watch-to-Earn rewards through the XP system
• NFT-based exclusive content access
• Native Cardano wallet authentication
• Real-time interactive features

For Creators:

• Multiple revenue streams (tips, PPV, advertising)
• 100% of base tip amounts (platform fee added on top)
• NFT-gated content for premium experiences
• Comprehensive analytics dashboard
• Automatic stream archiving to VOD

For the Ecosystem:

• Cardano-first payment infrastructure
• Multi-token support (ADA, DJED, SNEK, HOSKY)
• On-chain transaction verification
• Transparent, immutable payment records

Platform Highlights

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2. Platform Overview

2.1 Feature Summary

Live Streaming

• Professional RTMP ingest infrastructure
• HLS adaptive bitrate delivery (1080p, 720p, 480p, 360p)
• WebRTC ultra-low latency option
• Secure publish token authentication
• Automatic stream archiving

Video on Demand

• Direct-to-cloud upload (up to 2GB)
• Global CDN delivery
• Signed URL protection
• Automatic thumbnail generation
• View tracking with analytics

Monetization

• Pay-Per-View (PPV) with Cardano payments
• Creator tipping (multi-token support)
• Watch-to-Earn advertising
• NFT-gated premium content
• Creator payout system

Social Features

• Real-time live chat
• Threaded comments on VOD
• Follow system
• Content moderation tools
• Creator-assigned moderators

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3. Technology Architecture

3.1 Core Technology Stack

3.2 Application Structure

The platform follows a modular architecture with clear separation of concerns:

• App Router - Next.js pages and API routes
• Components - 145+ reusable React components
• Libraries - Core utilities and integrations
• Hooks - Custom React hooks for state management
• Contexts - React Context providers
• Widget App - Separate embedded widget application

3.3 API Architecture

The platform exposes a comprehensive REST API organized into functional domains:

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4. Authentication & Identity

4.1 Dual-Rail Authentication

Ghostchain implements a hybrid authentication system supporting both blockchain-native and traditional methods:

Identity Types

Cardano Wallet Authentication (CIP-30)

Supported Wallets: Nami, Eternl, Lace, Yoroi, Flint, GeroWallet, NuFi, Typhon

Authentication Flow:

1. Nonce Generation - Cryptographically secure random nonce with short expiry
2. Signature Request - Wallet signs message using CIP-30 signData() method
3. Cryptographic Verification - Server verifies Ed25519 signature with address binding

Security Features:

• Industry-standard cryptographic verification
• Address binding prevents impersonation attacks
• Single-use nonces with automatic cleanup
• Session fixation protection

Email/OAuth Authentication

• Email/password with verification
• Google OAuth integration
• GitHub OAuth integration
• Automatic token refresh

4.2 Session Management

Wallet Sessions:

• Secure session IDs with configurable expiry
• HttpOnly, Secure, SameSite cookies
• Database-backed session storage

JWT Tokens:

• HMAC-SHA256 signature algorithm
• Strong secret enforcement
• Short expiry for sensitive tokens

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5. Streaming Infrastructure

5.1 Live Streaming Architecture

Broadcaster (OBS/vMix)
        │
        ▼ RTMP
┌───────────────────────┐
│   Streaming Server    │
│   ├─ Transcoding      │
│   ├─ HLS Packaging    │
│   └─ WebRTC Bridge    │
└───────────────────────┘
        │
        ▼ HLS/WebRTC
┌───────────────────────┐
│      Global CDN       │
│   Edge Distribution   │
└───────────────────────┘
        │
        ▼ Signed URLs
┌───────────────────────┐
│       Viewers         │
└───────────────────────┘

5.2 Stream Security

Security Model:

• Cryptographically random publish tokens
• Secure hashed storage (irreversible)
• Webhook validation before broadcast
• One-time token display with regeneration support

5.3 Adaptive Bitrate Transcoding

HLS Specifications:

• Optimized segment duration
• MPEG-TS segment format
• Configurable live window

5.4 Stream Archiving

Automatic conversion of live streams to VOD:

Archive Retention by Tier

Note: Published archives are never auto-deleted regardless of tier.

Entitlement Migration: Users with live stream access automatically receive archive access.

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6. Content Delivery Network

6.1 CDN Integration

Architecture:

• Pull zone configuration from object storage
• Global edge distribution (100+ POPs)
• Token authentication for protected content
• Separate zones for VOD and live streaming

Security:

• Cryptographically signed URLs
• Time-limited access tokens
• Anti-hotlinking protection

6.2 Playback Gateway

Three-layer security for content access:

Heartbeat System:

• Regular client-server communication
• Session extension on activity
• Watch time tracking for analytics

6.3 Concurrent Stream Limiting

Strategy: Newest Device Wins

When a user watches on multiple devices:

1. Detect active sessions
2. Terminate older sessions
3. Allow newest to continue
4. Notify terminated sessions gracefully

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7. Monetization Systems

7.1 Cardano Payment Architecture

All payments use multi-output transactions with exactly two outputs:

Benefits:

• On-chain fee transparency
• Atomic transaction processing
• Immutable payment proof
• No off-chain processing required

7.2 Supported Tokens

7.3 Pay-Per-View (PPV)

Fee Structure:

• Platform fee: 10% (added on top)
• Creator receives: 100% of base price
• User pays: base price + 10%

Example (5 ADA content):

Base price:    5 ADA → Creator
Platform fee:  0.5 ADA → Platform
Total paid:    5.5 ADA

Transaction Verification:

• Multiple block confirmations required
• On-chain verification via Blockfrost API
• Automatic entitlement creation on confirmation

7.4 Tipping System

Two-Step Flow:

1. Payment info generation (no DB record until confirmed)
2. Record creation after wallet submission
3. On-chain verification and confirmation

Fee Structure:

• Base fee: 5% (added on top)
• Minimum fee: 1 ADA
• Creator receives: 100% of tip amount

Example (10 ADA tip):

Tip amount:    10 ADA → Creator
Platform fee:   1 ADA → Platform (minimum applied)
Total paid:    11 ADA

7.5 Creator Subscription Tiers

Creators can subscribe to paid tiers for increased resource limits and professional features.

Tier Comparison

Overage Billing

Paid tier creators can opt-in to overage billing to exceed their limits:

Spend Cap: Creators can set a maximum monthly overage spend to prevent unexpected charges.

Usage Tracking

• Real-time usage dashboard
• Alerts at 50%, 80%, and 100% thresholds
• Daily usage aggregation from CDN logs
• Prorated billing for mid-cycle tier changes

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8. NFT Integration

8.1 NFT-Gated Content

Creators can restrict content access to NFT holders:

Gating Types

Verification Flow

1. User requests gated content
2. System retrieves user's wallet address
3. NFT ownership verified on-chain via Blockfrost
4. Entitlement created with appropriate expiry
5. Access granted or denied

8.2 Wallet Address Support

Stake addresses are preferred as they provide complete wallet coverage.

8.3 NFT Metadata Standards

Full CIP-25 compliance:

• IPFS protocol URLs
• Data URIs (inline SVG, base64)
• CBOR-encoded metadata
• Array-based chunked images
• Fallback to files array

8.4 NFT Profile Pictures

Users can set owned NFTs as profile avatars:

• Real-time ownership verification
• Automatic cache invalidation
• Fallback to default avatar

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9. XP Reward System

9.1 Watch-to-Earn Mechanics

The XP system rewards users for watching content, preparing for future $GHOST token distribution.

Base Rate: 1 XP per minute watched Daily Cap: 240 XP (4 hours of content)

Earning Sources

9.2 Diminishing Returns

To ensure fair distribution and prevent farming:

Key Feature: Users can rewatch indefinitely at 1% XP - never reaches zero.

9.3 Level Progression

Default Formula (Square Root):

Level = floor(sqrt(totalXP / 100))

9.4 Multiplier Tiers

Viewer Multipliers:

9.5 Anti-Abuse Protections

The platform implements comprehensive anti-abuse measures:

• Velocity Checks - Monitors for abnormal earning patterns
• Session Integrity - Validates continuous viewing
• Rate Limiting - Prevents automated abuse
• Server-Authoritative Calculations - All XP computed server-side
• Daily Cap Enforcement - Hard limits on daily earnings

9.6 Bootstrap Mode

Temporary phase for fair initial growth:

• All multipliers normalized to 1.00x
• Exit criteria: Sustained user engagement thresholds
• Prevents early adopter advantage

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10. Advertisement System

10.1 Ad Types

10.2 Placement Types

10.3 Creator Revenue Share

• Creators earn a percentage of XP from ads viewed on their content
• Transparent tracking and attribution
• Stored separately for analytics

10.4 Daily Limits

• Maximum daily XP from ads enforced
• Resets at midnight
• Server-side validation

10.5 Fraud Prevention

The platform implements multi-layer fraud detection:

• Behavioral Analysis - Detects abnormal interaction patterns
• Timing Validation - Identifies impossible user actions
• Session Verification - Ensures valid playback context
• Device Analysis - Monitors for suspicious device patterns
• Network Analysis - Identifies coordinated abuse

All suspicious activity is flagged and reviewed, with confidence-based scoring to minimize false positives.

10.6 Poll & Survey System

The platform supports comprehensive polling and survey functionality for audience engagement and market research.

Survey Types

Question Types (8 Total)

Features

• XP rewards for survey completion
• Duplicate response prevention
• Live results with real-time polling
• Question randomization option
• Fraud detection (fast response + pattern checks)

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11. Community Features

11.1 Real-Time Chat

Features:

• Character limits for manageable messages
• Rate limiting to prevent spam
• Slow mode (configurable interval)
• Followers-only mode
• Subscribers-only mode
• Profanity filter
• Custom banned words

Message Flow:

1. Authentication check
2. Rate limiting
3. Chat settings validation
4. Ban/timeout check
5. Message creation
6. Automatic broadcast to subscribers

11.2 Comments System

Features:

• Threaded discussions
• Generous character limits
• Rate limiting
• Soft delete with audit trail

11.3 User Badges

11.4 Moderation Tools

Actions:

• Message/comment deletion
• User timeout (temporary)
• User ban (permanent)
• All actions logged for accountability

Protections:

• Cannot ban platform admins
• Cannot ban content creators on their own content
• Audit trail for all moderation actions

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12. Security Architecture

12.1 Security Overview

12.2 Rate Limiting

Comprehensive rate limiting protects all API endpoints:

• Authentication endpoints - Strict limits to prevent brute force
• Sensitive operations - Additional restrictions for high-risk actions
• Payment endpoints - Balanced limits for legitimate transactions
• Public endpoints - Higher limits for general access
• Admin endpoints - Appropriate limits for administrative functions

All rate limits use sliding window algorithms for fair enforcement.

12.3 Input Validation

• Schema validation - Type-safe runtime validation on all inputs
• ORM parameterization - Automatic SQL injection prevention
• Whitelist validation - Strict validation for enums and options
• XSS prevention - Automatic output escaping

12.4 Role-Based Access Control

12.5 Data Protection

Encryption at Rest:

• AES-256-GCM for sensitive data
• Industry-standard password hashing

GDPR Compliance:

• Right to Access: Account settings
• Right to Rectification: Profile updates
• Right to Erasure: Grace period deletion
• Data Anonymization: Complete PII removal

12.6 Security Headers

The platform implements comprehensive security headers:

• Strict Transport Security (HSTS)
• Frame protection
• Content type enforcement
• XSS protection
• Content Security Policy
• Referrer control

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13. Widget Ecosystem

13.1 Architecture

Widgets operate as a separate application embedded via sandboxed iframes:

┌─────────────────────────────────┐
│     Main Application           │
│  ┌───────────────────────────┐ │
│  │   Widget Sidebar          │ │
│  │  ┌─────────────────────┐  │ │
│  │  │  Sandboxed Widget   │  │ │
│  │  └─────────────────────┘  │ │
│  └───────────────────────────┘ │
└─────────────────────────────────┘
         ▲             │
         │  Secure     │
         │  Messaging  │
         └─────────────┘

13.2 Widget Types

13.3 Security Measures

• CORS validation with origin whitelisting
• Short-lived authentication tokens
• Iframe sandboxing
• Message type validation
• Secure cross-origin communication

13.4 SDK Capabilities

The Widget SDK provides:

• Ready state signaling
• Event communication
• Message listening
• Authentication token management
• Authenticated API requests

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14. Database Architecture

14.1 Schema Overview

The platform uses a comprehensive relational database schema:

Core Model Groups

14.2 Key Models

User Model:

• Authentication data
• Profile information
• Statistics and metrics
• Preferences and settings

Video Model:

• Content metadata
• Delivery configuration
• Gating settings
• Analytics data

Stream Model:

• Stream configuration
• Status tracking
• Security settings
• Widget configuration

14.3 Performance Optimization

• Strategic indexing on frequently queried fields
• Composite indexes for complex queries
• Query optimization for common access patterns

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15. Performance & Scalability

15.1 Caching Strategy

Multi-Layer Caching:

Performance Impact:

• Significant reduction in database queries
• Sub-10ms response times for cached data
• Graceful degradation when cache unavailable

15.2 Database Optimizations

• Connection pooling for efficient resource use
• Singleton client patterns
• Strategic indexing
• Query optimization

15.3 Client Optimizations

• Server-side rendering where beneficial
• Dynamic imports for code splitting
• Image optimization (WebP format)
• Infinite scroll with intersection observer

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16. Technical Specifications

16.1 File Upload Limits

16.2 Supported Video Formats

16.3 Cooldown Systems

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17. Glossary

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Document Information

Whitepaper Version: 1.2.0 Platform Version: Ghostchain Network v1.2.0 Release Date: January 2026 Status: Production

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Ghostchain Network - Where Creators Thrive