Problems and Solutions

High Fees

Problem: Centralized platforms impose a variety of fees—listing, commission, subscription, fulfilment—that can total 15-20% of each sale.

Solution: By eliminating intermediaries and enabling direct transactions through smart contracts, the GATA Protocol significantly reduces these fees, making transactions more cost-effective.

Lack of Transparency

Problem: Sellers often face limited visibility into platform fee structures and policy changes, leading to unpredictable costs.

Solution: The GATA Protocol uses blockchain technology to ensure that all transactions are transparent and immutable, offering clear visibility into fees, policies, and transaction histories.

Fraudulent Sellers

Problem: Buyers are concerned about receiving counterfeit or substandard products from untrusted sellers.

Solution: The protocol's transparent transaction records enable buyers to verify product authenticity and seller credibility, building trust within the marketplace.

Centralized Control

Problem: Centralized platforms can unilaterally alter rules, fees, and policies, often disadvantaging smaller sellers.

Solution: With community-driven governance, decisions on the platform are made democratically, ensuring fairness and equity for all participants.

Payment Security

Problem: Concerns about the security of financial information deter many buyers from making online purchases.

Solution: Smart contracts automate secure payments, safeguarding financial data and ensuring the integrity of every transaction.

Product Accuracy

Problem: Buyers worry that the products they receive won’t match the descriptions or images provided by sellers.

Solution: AI-driven personalised recommendations and fraud detection, coupled with AR/VR technologies, provide immersive shopping experiences and reduce uncertainty about product quality.

Inefficient Shipping and Delivery

Problem: Late deliveries, lost packages, and high costs are common issues in traditional logistics networks.

Solution: The protocol’s decentralized logistics networks optimise delivery routes and costs, supported by local fulfilment centres that ensure faster and more reliable deliveries.

Return and Refund Policies

Problem: Buyers are often hesitant to purchase due to unclear or unfair return and refund policies.

Solution: Smart contracts facilitate clear, fair, and automated dispute resolution, ensuring transparent and consistent return and refund policies.

Data Privacy Concerns

Problem: Centralized platforms control and monetize user data, leading to privacy and security concerns.

Solution: Users retain full control over their data and its monetization, with decentralized storage protecting against unauthorised access.

Competing with Established Brands

Problem: Smaller sellers find it difficult to build consumer trust compared to well-established brands.

Solution: The platform’s transparency and equitable practices, along with AI-driven personalised experiences, help smaller sellers gain trust and compete effectively.