As e-commerce continues to evolve, platforms like Amazon and Shopify have dominated the space. But with increasing concerns around high fees, centralized control, and limited payment flexibility, many sellers and buyers are exploring alternatives. Hamza offers a new approach—decentralized, crypto-first, and seller-empowered. Here’s how Hamza stands apart from the traditional giants.
Ownership and Control
On Amazon and Shopify, sellers operate within a centralized system. Rules, fees, and policies are dictated from the top down. With Hamza, the goal is to return ownership and control to the seller.
On Hamza:
- Sellers list their own products directly.
- There are no gatekeepers limiting access or reach.
- Platform policies are guided by community values, not corporate shareholders.
This decentralized approach allows for more freedom in how sellers run their businesses.
Payment Methods and Crypto Support
Hamza is built from the ground up with crypto in mind, unlike Amazon or Shopify, which primarily rely on traditional fiat payment systems.
Hamza enables:
- Direct crypto payments with multiple supported tokens.
- Reduced dependency on banks and third-party payment processors.
- Faster, borderless transactions with lower fees.
For crypto-native users and regions with limited access to banking services, this offers a more inclusive way to trade.
Lower Fees and Transparent Costs
One of the major frustrations with Amazon is its high referral fees, which can reach up to 15% or more depending on the category. Shopify requires monthly subscriptions and additional app costs for advanced features.
Hamza is designed to be:
- Transparent about platform costs.
- More affordable for small and independent sellers.
- Free from hidden charges or commission-based structures.
This creates a more equitable environment for both sellers and buyers.
Focus on Community and Niche Sellers
Where Amazon is a vast, impersonal marketplace and Shopify requires sellers to build their own store and drive traffic, Hamza offers something in between: a curated marketplace that supports indie sellers with community-driven features.
Key community aspects of Hamza include:
- Curated collections and featured sellers.
- Community-based discovery and promotion.
- Support for niche and handcrafted products often overlooked on large platforms.
This fosters a more authentic connection between buyers and sellers.
Decentralization and Censorship Resistance
Unlike Amazon or Shopify, which can suspend accounts or remove listings with little warning, Hamza aims to build with decentralization and censorship resistance at its core.
Benefits include:
- Sellers retain more control over their storefronts.
- Reduced risk of deplatforming due to algorithmic or policy changes.
- Enhanced freedom of expression in product types and branding.
Platform Comparison Table
| Feature | Hamza | Amazon | Shopify |
| Ownership Model | Decentralized | Centralized | Centralized |
| Crypto Payments | Native support for crypto | Not supported | Limited via third-party plugins |
| Fees | Low and transparent | High referral and seller fees | Monthly fees plus app/add-on costs |
| Censorship Resistance | Yes | No | No |
| Community-Driven Features | Built-in | Minimal | Not natively |
| Onboarding Requirements | Lightweight, open-access | Heavily regulated, invite-based | Self-setup with app dependency |
| Best For | Crypto sellers and indie brands | High-volume resellers | Entrepreneurs building custom stores |
Conclusion
While Amazon and Shopify remain powerful platforms in the e-commerce space, Hamza introduces a fundamentally different approach—one that values decentralization, seller empowerment, and the future of crypto commerce. For those looking to break free from traditional models and explore a more open marketplace, Hamza offers a compelling alternative worth considering.