Show HN: CheerAd – Web3 ad slot widgets for regions that Stripe doesn't work
cheerad.comHi HN,
There are lots of developers based in a regions where Stripe and PayPal are not available. This is a massive bottleneck for indie hackers who are living there; They can build products, but monetizing them usually involves setting up complex LLCs abroad or relying on unreliable intermediaries.
To solve this for my own projects, I built a native web3 widget, and since I built CheerAd, here's an idea: why don't combine them to help makers.
It’s a lightweight ad-slot widget that allows any website owner to sell advertising space directly via crypto, bypassing the restrictions entirely.
The Tech Stack:
Backend: Written in Rust using Actix-web. I chose Rust for its memory safety and low footprint, which is crucial since I'm running this on minimal resources.
Frontend: Vanilla JavaScript (ES Modules). I avoided React/Vue intentionally to ensure the embed script remains tiny (<10kb) and doesn't conflict with the host site's frameworks.
Payments: Direct on-chain integration using @solana/web3.js.
The Logic: Instead of a traditional SaaS subscription, I implemented a mechanism called "Cheerpool." The protocol takes a 5% transaction fee, but instead of keeping it as profit, it redistributes it back to the ecosystem participants based on a set of smart contract rules. It turns the fee model into a retention mechanism.
I’d love to hear your feedback on the architecture or how you handle monetization in banking-restricted regions.
Thanks!
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