Kacet Launches Crypto-Native Freelance Marketplace

A new freelance marketplace is emerging to challenge the status quo of digital work platforms. Kacet is being built as a crypto-native solution designed to eliminate the high fees, slow payouts, and international friction that plague traditional freelance sites.

By leveraging blockchain technology, the platform aims to create a borderless environment where payments are instantaneous and direct. The project is currently in its early stages, inviting feedback from the freelance and development communities.

The freelance economy has long been dominated by platforms that take significant cuts of earnings and introduce delays in payment processing. Kacet targets these specific frustrations by building a marketplace that prioritizes speed and transparency.

Existing platforms often struggle with international transactions, leaving freelancers waiting days or weeks for funds to clear. Kacet proposes a solution where payments are borderless by default, removing the reliance on traditional banking systems that slow down cross-border transfers.

The platform’s philosophy is centered on neutrality and simplicity. By stripping away complex fee structures and unnecessary features, it aims to return the focus to the core transaction: agreeing on work and getting paid.

• High fees on traditional platforms
• Slow payout processing times
• Friction in international payments
• Complex fee structures with hidden costs

The technical backbone of Kacet relies on Solana smart contracts to handle payments. This infrastructure allows for fast, secure transactions without the need for intermediaries like banks, which are often responsible for delays and freezes.

Unlike traditional marketplaces that act as escrow agents or hold funds, Kacet facilitates direct peer-to-peer contracts. This model ensures that the platform does not own the relationship between the client and the freelancer, fostering a more direct and autonomous working environment.

On the frontend, the application is built using React with TanStack Start, providing a responsive and modern user interface. The development team has intentionally kept the feature set small to validate the core workflow.

Payments are handled by Solana smart contracts, with a React frontend (TanStack Start).

Kacet distinguishes itself through a commitment to a calm UI design philosophy. The interface is focused strictly on the essentials: posting work, agreeing on terms, and executing payments. This stands in contrast to platforms that utilize dark patterns to maximize user engagement and time spent on site.

Transparency is a key design pillar. The platform promises low, transparent fees with no "boosts," ads, or hidden take rates. This straightforward pricing model is intended to build trust with users who are often skeptical of hidden costs.

Furthermore, the platform is built for teams, offering multi-user organizations out of the box. This makes it suitable for agencies and startups that need to manage multiple freelancers under a single account structure.

• Calm UI focused on workflow, not engagement
• No dark patterns or manipulative design
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
• Built-in support for multi-user organizations

The project is described by its creators as early and very much a work in progress. The current iteration focuses on a minimal viable product that validates the core workflow: post work → agree terms → get paid.

Feedback is actively being sought from individuals who have experience hiring freelancers, working as freelancers, or building marketplaces. This community-driven approach aims to refine the platform's mechanics before scaling features.

The development team is also open to discussing the nuances of the payment model and trust mechanics, acknowledging that the approach may have limitations that need to be addressed through iteration.

This is still early and very much a work in progress.

Kacet represents an experiment in rethinking how freelance marketplaces operate, moving away from centralized control toward a more decentralized, crypto-native model. By addressing the fundamental issues of fees, speed, and international accessibility, it offers a potential alternative to the current market leaders.

As the platform evolves, its success will likely depend on its ability to maintain a seamless user experience while leveraging the complexities of blockchain technology. The focus on a streamlined workflow and transparent economics provides a strong foundation for future development.

For now, the project remains in its infancy, but it signals a growing trend of applying Solana smart contracts to real-world economic problems beyond pure speculation.