As a company, Kik has been searching for a sustainable monetization model that does not compromise user experience or privacy. Rather than opt for mass display advertising or the selling of consumer data, Kik has decided to adopt a decentralized organizational model. Its goal is to encourage the development of a digital services ecosystem that is fair and open. Kik prefers to be a participant rather than a landlord in this user-first economy.

To foster an ecosystem that is not only open and decentralized but also more compelling than its traditional counterpart, Kik must create a series of new products, services, and systems. Building a decentralized system is a complex process, and the transition to it must be done in a measured and responsible way over time. The following sections of this paper outline Kik’s plan for launching an entirely new platform: the Kin Ecosystem.