Building the Operating System of the Creator and Fan Economy - Luffa CTO Michael Liu

Luffa is the next-gen operating system for the creator and fan economy, combining wallets, identity, communication, community, AI, and mini-programs into one seamless experience. Luffa aims to become the ultimate Web3 connector that transforms attention into ownership and connection into commerce. By enabling creators, brands, and fans to participate in a shared, transactable value-driven social network, Luffa bridges digital engagement and real-world value, empowering each stakeholder in the creator ecosystem to achieve growth, retention, and deeper relationships.

Michael Liu is the chief technology officer (CTO) of Luffa. He recently joined the Bitcoin.com News Podcast to talk about the platform.

In the episode, Michael Liu introduces his company's vision for transforming the creator and fan economy. Describing Luffa as the "next-generation operating system" and "ultimate Web3 connector," Michael details how the platform aims to fix the current broken model where value is captured by platforms rather than fans and creators. The core goal is a fundamental shift from attention-based platforms to ownership-based networks, turning creators, fans, and brands into aligned participants in a shared value system where every interaction can become a rewarded asset.

Luffa is presented not merely as a social application but as a foundational infrastructure that combines critical Web3 components: a Decentralized ID (DID), a cross-chain wallet, communication communities, and mini-apps into one seamless, programmable layer. The platform integrates AI as its "intelligence core," using it for essential personalization of content and automated workflows based on user-controlled data. Furthermore, AI serves as a critical, multi-layered security measure alongside decentralized protocols to detect potential hacks and hijacks to users' DIDs and digital assets, ensuring a high degree of security and privacy by default, even for Web2 users.

The conversation highlights Luffa's key differentiators: user ownership of identity and data, programmability that allows social interaction to trigger transactions, and composability for developers and brands to build mini-apps. The company’s monetization approach focuses on working with creators rather than through them. Michael shares early validation, including B2B partners and creators using the platform for membership management and NFTs, noting significant growth with over two million downloads and plans for future fundraising and expansion into key global markets like Korea, African countries, the EU, and the US.

About Our Guest

Michael Liu — CTO of Luffa, is a cross-disciplinary entrepreneur and technologist with a global track record spanning AI, cybersecurity, energy, and fintech. He previously served as AI Lead at a Global Top 3 energy firm, where he led industrial AI R&D and the commercialization of smart grid intelligence systems.

As the Founder of Fam Capital in Silicon Valley, Michael has driven cross-border investments bridging Asia and North America, focusing on deep tech, Bitcoin mining, Web3 infrastructure, and decentralized systems.

Holding a background in Electrical Engineering from MIT and an MBA from Harvard, he combines technical depth with strategic insight. Michael is also a trusted advisor to global founders, known for his ability to align advanced technologies with scalable business outcomes.

To learn more about the project visit Luffa.im, and follow the team on X.