What Are the Core Shapes of Digital Business Models in 2025?

#96: 2.2 — Model Taxonomy From Transactional Engines To AI-Native Platforms.

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If 2.1 showed us why hybrids dominate (pure plays rarely survive in isolation), then 2.2 gets more precise:
What are the actual archetypes firms are combining—and how are they evolving in 2025?

The challenge for strategists: most teams use outdated labels like “SaaS” or “marketplace.” But in practice, modern firms layer multiple revenue logics and distribution archetypes together—each with different risks, moats, and cost structures.

This chapter provides a taxonomy of digital business models you can use as a reference system.

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TL;DR: The Core Digital Business Model Archetypes of 2025

• Modern digital companies are rarely just SaaS or marketplaces — they’re hybrids, layering multiple monetization and distribution logics.

• This article introduces eight core business model archetypes every strategist should know:

  1. Transactional: Simple, pay-per-unit models like Uber or Amazon sellers.

  2. Subscription: Predictable recurring revenue, e.g., Netflix or Adobe.

  3. Freemium & Conversion: Free viral entry points with upsells, e.g., Zoom, Notion.

  4. Platforms: Marketplaces, aggregators, or developer ecosystems like Airbnb or Stripe.

  5. API-as-a-Product: Modular infrastructure deeply embedded in workflows, e.g., Plaid or Stripe.

  6. AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS): Selling intelligence directly, like OpenAI or Anthropic.

  7. Token/NFT-Based Models: Decentralized monetization and governance systems.

  8. Attention & Audience Economies: Monetizing cultural lock-in through ads and creators, e.g., TikTok or Twitch.

• Winning companies blend these archetypes, creating resilient, layered strategies that evolve with markets.

• Understanding your dominant archetype helps you clarify margins, investor expectations, and platform risks.

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Why Modern Models Defy Simple Labels

2. The 2025 Model Taxonomy

   • A. Transactional

   • B. Subscription

   • C. Freemium & Conversion

   • D. Platforms: Marketplace, Aggregator, Developer

   • E. API-as-a-Product

   • F. AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS)

   • G. Token / NFT-Based Models

   • H. Attention & Audience Economies

3. Why Hybrid Models Win

4. Case Snapshots

   • Zoom

   • Stripe

   • Amazon

   • Notion

   • Anthropic

5. Strategic Questions for CSOs

6. References