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Definition

Gateways serve as the primary demand aggregation layer in the Livepeer network. They accept video transcoding and AI inference requests from end customers, then distribute these jobs across the network of GPU-equipped Orchestrators. In earlier Livepeer documentation, this role was referred to as a broadcaster. Mental Model
Running a Gateway is similar to operating an API Gateway or Load Balancer in cloud computing — it ingests traffic, routes workloads to backend GPU nodes, and manages session flow without doing the heavy compute itself.
Running a Gateway is not like running a validator on Ethereum. Validators secure consensus whereas Gateways route workloads. It’s more akin to a Sequencer on a Layer 2. Just as a Sequencer ingests user transactions, orders them, and routes them into the rollup execution layer, a Livepeer Gateway performs the same function for the Livepeer compute network.
For the rest of us, running a Gateway is like being a film producer. You take a request, assemble the right specialists, manage constraints, and ensure the final result is delivered reliably—without doing every task yourself.

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What is a Gateway?

Gateways are the entry point for applications into the Livepeercompute network. They are the coordination layer that connects real-time AI and video workloads to the orchestrators who perform the GPU compute. They operate as the essential technical layer between the protocol and the distributed compute network. A gateway is a self-operated Livepeer node that interacts directly with orchestrators, submits jobs, handles payment, and exposes direct protocol interfaces. Hosted services like Daydream are not gateways. A Gateway is responsible for
  • validating requests
  • selecting Workers
  • translating requests into Worker OpenAPI calls
  • aggregating results
Gateways earn revenue from transaction fees on all jobs they route. If you are coming from an Ethereum background, Gateways could loosely be thought of as sequencers in L2 rollups. If you are coming from a traditional cloud background, Gateways are akin to API gateways or load balancers. Anyone that wants to build applications and services (like [Daydream] and [Stream.place] ) on top of the Livepeer protocol will build their own Gateway in order to offer their services to Livepeer Developers, Builders & end-users and enable communication of their application with the Livepeer GPU network (DePIN / Orchestrators)

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What Gateways Do

Gateways handle all service-level logic required to operate a scalable, low-latency AI video network:
  • Job Intake
    They receive workloads from applications using Livepeer APIs, PyTrickle, or BYOC integrations.
  • Capability & Model Matching
    Gateways determine which orchestrators support the required GPU, model, or pipeline.
  • Routing & Scheduling
    They dispatch jobs to the optimal orchestrator based on performance, availability, and pricing.
  • Marketplace Exposure
    Gateway operators can publish the services they offer, including supported models, pipelines, and pricing structures.
Gateways do not perform GPU compute. Instead, they focus on coordination and service routing.

Gateway Functions & Services

Learn More About Gateway Functions & Services

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Why Gateways Matter

As Livepeer transitions into a high-demand, real-time AI network, Gateways become essential infrastructure. They enable:
  • Low-latency workflows for Daydream, ComfyStream, and other real-time AI video tools
  • Dynamic GPU routing for inference-heavy workloads
  • A decentralized marketplace of compute capabilities
  • Flexible integration via the BYOC pipeline model
Gateways simplify the developer experience while preserving the decentralization, performance, and competitiveness of the Livepeer network.

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Summary

Gateways are the coordination and routing layer of the Livepeer ecosystem. They expose capabilities, price services, accept workloads, and dispatch them to orchestrators for GPU execution. This design enables a scalable, low-latency, AI-ready decentralized compute marketplace. This architecture enables Livepeer to scale into a global provider of real-time AI video infrastructure.
WIP: Unsure where below section belongs currently

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Key Marketplace Features

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1. Capability Discovery

Gateways and orchestrators list:
  • AI model support
  • Versioning and model weights
  • Pipeline compatibility
  • GPU type and compute class
Applications can programmatically choose the best provider.

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2. Dynamic Pricing

Pricing can vary by:
  • GPU class
  • Model complexity
  • Latency SLA
  • Throughput requirements
  • Region
Gateways expose pricing APIs for transparent selection.

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3. Performance Competition

Orchestrators compete on:
  • Speed
  • Reliability
  • GPU quality
  • Cost efficiency
Gateways compete on:
  • Routing quality
  • Supported features
  • Latency
  • Developer ecosystem fit
This creates a healthy decentralized market.

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4. BYOC Integration

Any container-based pipeline can be brought into the marketplace:
  • Run custom AI models
  • Run ML workflows
  • Execute arbitrary compute
  • Support enterprise workloads
Gateways advertise BYOC offerings; orchestrators execute containers.

Protocol Overview

Understand the Full Livepeer Network Design

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Marketplace Benefits

  • Developer choice — choose the best model, price, and performance
  • Economic incentives — better nodes earn more work
  • Scalability — network supply grows independently of demand
  • Innovation unlock — new models and pipelines can be added instantly
  • Decentralization — no single operator controls the workload flow

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Summary

The Marketplace turns Livepeer into a competitive, discoverable, real-time AI compute layer.
  • Gateways expose services
  • Orchestrators execute them
  • Applications choose the best fit
  • Developers build on top of it
  • Users benefit from low-latency, high-performance AI

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References

Unverified Reference
https://github.com/videoDAC/livepeer-gateway