Whether it be in the world of Web2 or Web3, users are familiar with the apps they use and the wallets they trust. But what often goes unnoticed are the invisible protocols making everything work in the background. Infrastructure is rarely the headline, but it’s what keeps the ecosystem running.

One example is WalletConnect, quietly used in over 309 million+ connections, integrated into 600+ wallets, and powering 64,000+ apps; it has become the de facto bridge layer for wallet-to-dApp communication across blockchains.

Why Infrastructure Matters Now More Than Ever

The decentralized internet is growing fast, but it’s also fragmented. Wallets and dApps often live in separate environments, cross-chain communication is still maturing, and users face risks when infrastructure breaks or centralizes.

That’s where protocols like WalletConnect come in. As a chain-agnostic messaging layer, it allows wallets to securely connect to apps, whether you’re minting an NFT on Ethereum, staking on Solana, or swapping tokens on BNB Chain. Most users don’t know it’s happening. But it’s what powers their daily experience.

Much like how API gateways and payment processors enabled the rise of Web2 platforms, Web3 now relies on standardized, secure infra to scale.

Community-Owned Infra

WalletConnect’s latest milestone is the launch of $WCT, a utility and governance token that shifts the protocol toward a more decentralized model.

Here’s how it works:

• Protocol Fees: Wallets and dApps use $WCT to access the network.
• Staking & Security: Node operators can stake to secure the network and earn rewards.
• Governance: Token holders can vote on proposals and protocol upgrades.
• Incentives: Wallet partners and infrastructure providers are rewarded based on usage and performance.
  

This model transforms WalletConnect from a behind-the-scenes service into a public good, open to contribution, governance, and shared ownership. It’s part of a larger shift happening across the Web3 space: critical infrastructure moving from closed systems to community-driven ecosystems.

In decentralized finance, we often focus on what’s visible: token prices, new apps, emerging chains. But the real foundation of Web3 lies in protocols like WalletConnect—invisible, essential, and now increasingly participatory.

As the internet of wallets expands, so does the need for neutral infrastructure that’s resilient, scalable, and collectively owned. WalletConnect, with the launch of $WCT, is offering one model of how that might look. It’s a reminder that in the next phase of Web3, infrastructure isn’t just a technical layer, it’s a governance question, a public utility, and a community asset.

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