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Crypto is caught in a vicious stagnation loop: fewer users → fewer apps → fewer devs → less new infra → fewer new apps → fewer new users.

This negative flywheel won’t break itself. The only way out is through new projects that break the mold and bring in new people.

web3 is stuck in a downward spiral: fewer users → fewer apps → fewer devs → less infra → fewer new devs → fewer new apps → fewer new users.

Only bold new experiments will break that cycle and kickoff new growth.

Make web3 weird again

Ethereum's diversity isn't a bug - it's our greatest strength

Zero-sum mentality is a dead end. Competing for the existing pie might boost short-term metrics, but it doesn’t grow it. We need a shift to positive-sum growth.

What could that look like? Specialized chains playing to their strengths (one for gaming, one for social, etc.) with atomic composability between them. Real adoption won’t come from tribalism or maximalism. It will come when the industry focuses on expanding use cases and making networks work together.

New-to-world product validation isn't quantitative—it's visceral. Here's how to run powerful user interviews:

+ Always have two people on customer calls: one lead interviewer and one dedicated note taker.
+ Video is essential. You need to see people's non-verbal expressions.
+ Look for 'excitement': moments when users get excited about what you're describing. Are they leaning in? Are their eyes lighting up?

Validation isn't in polite nods or survey responses. It's in specific phrases:
+ “How much does this cost?”
+ “Can you send me the contract?”
+ “When can I go live?”

If you're not hearing these, keep iterating. "If it's not a 'hell yes,' it's a 'hell no.'"

This approach is even more crucial in web3, where we're building entirely new experiences. Keep iterating until you find that unmistakable moment of “I need this now.”

What good is the fastest blockchain if no one wants what’s built on it? It’s time to build applications and application-centric networks people actually want to use and shares value with them.

The year is 2030.

X has a chain.

Instagram has a chain.

Apple has a chain.

Microsoft has a chain.

LVMH has multiple chains.

The end state is clear. All brands, apps, and companies will have chains.

It's already happening now with appchains.

The reason all apps will launch their own chains:

Not really because of the blockspace

Not really because of the sequencer

It's because it's the only way to control the economy—and to give that control to its token holders

📉 Trust
📈 Need for trustless systems

The next frontier for crypto is apps with application-centric networks that become open platforms and economies

The number of these will be as many as there are software companies

But you build these companies and networks differently

This is where talent and capital will flow

The next frontier for crypto is apps with application-centric networks that become platforms

The number of these will be as many as there are software companies

You build these companies and networks in different way than even now

But this is where talent and capital will flow

Every (app)chain will end up being five things at the core:

+ native asset generation
+ identity/reputation
+ oracles
+ incentives/rewards
+ exchange/payments

We've been seeing this across every vertical and implementation—all enshrined into the network and sequencers