As European regulators refine the next chapter of the digital economy, the discussion has shifted decisively away from speculative hype cycles and towards the institutional realities of compliance and consumer protection.
With this in mind, Cassator Corp., a U.S.-based company with deep Ukrainian roots, is positioning its flagship “SocialFi” platform, Sl8, as a privacy-focused alternative to the data-extractive models of traditional social media.
The company’s strategic focus on Europe comes at a critical time for the industry. As the EU Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCA) sets a new global gold standard for digital asset oversight, Cassator is betting its “compliance-first” architecture will provide a competitive advantage in a region increasingly wary of unregulated Big Tech and volatile Web3 experiments.
Cassator Corp. was founded in Delaware to enable global fundraising and maintains a distinct Ukrainian engineering identity. This combination of US corporate structure and Eastern European technical resilience has become a hallmark of the company’s history. The company is currently raising capital through a regulatory crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder and has reported significant financial momentum. It saw revenue jump from $450,000 in 2023 to $910,000 in 2024 – a 120% increase compared to last year.
For the European market, however, the pitch focuses less on growth and more on governance. In late 2024, the company announced that it had entered into an agreement to establish a European subsidiary with a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license.
“Social media needs a fundamental reboot,” says Dmytro Ivanov, CEO of Cassator Corp. “We believe that the financial layer of the Internet can be built in a way that is efficient, user-centered and aligned with – and not at odds with – evolving regulation. For us, Europe is a regulatory benchmark.”
Sl8 defines itself as a SocialFi platform: a social network where financial tools – such as peer-to-peer payments and creator monetization – are integrated into the user experience rather than “bolted on” as third-party additions. Technically, the platform leverages the Stellar Development Foundation ecosystem and leverages distributed ledger technology to ensure fast, low-cost transactions and predictable settlement.
From a product philosophy perspective, Sl8 is designed to dismantle the “attention economy” by adhering to several core principles:
- Algorithmic transparency: Eliminating manipulative content ranking systems.
- Privacy Sovereignty: A strict “no data collection” policy that prohibits the sale of user information.
- Ad-Free Environment: Reject micro-targeted advertising in favor of direct value exchange.
- User Autonomy: Give participants full control over their newsfeed composition and data footprint.
By eliminating reliance on advertising networks, Sl8 aims to create a circular economy where users can support creators and exchange value directly through the platform’s interface.
The company’s expansion is supported by reported momentum that suggests it is moving beyond the “experimental” phase. With 500,000 registered users and 260,000 monthly active users, Cassator is focused on institutional-level growth.
An important part of this strategy is an extensive influencer outreach program. The company has reportedly signed Letters of Intent (LOI) with more than 50 global influencers whose combined reach exceeds 400 million followers. To convert these into long-term partnerships, Cassator plans to distribute a significant pool of company shares to select brand ambassadors over the next four years, ensuring that those driving the platform’s growth have a vested interest in its leadership and success.
As MiCA begins to dictate the terms of engagement for crypto assets in Europe – from AML/CTF responsibilities to wallet architecture – platforms like Sl8 that lead with transparency are likely to find a more receptive audience. Whether Sl8 can successfully break the dominance of legacy social networks remains to be seen, but Cassator Corp. is making a clear bet: that the future of social interaction belongs to platforms that treat user privacy and regulatory compliance as features, not bugs.
