1. A system for managing distributed digital assets and related metadata in a network, comprising: a plurality of interconnected nodes, each of the interconnected nodes providing accessibility to the distributed assets via user controlled stores and caching subsystems such that the management of the assets and related metadata is based on predetermined criteria; wherein each node in the plurality of interconnected nodes includes a caching subsystem, a metadata store, a controller, a user-controlled asset component a networking subsystem for communication between each of the nodes, and wherein the plurality of interconnected nodes provide support for platform operation of client applications.