By Pedro Gomes
As web3 continues to improve the digital landscape, 2024 was a defining year for the WalletConnect Network. The network has scaled new heights, achieved remarkable milestones, and made transformative strides toward decentralization.
The WalletConnect Network saw growth of 340% from 2023 to 2024, with the number of connections going through the network rose from 41 million to 179 million.
As WalletConnect’s founder, I’m humbled and inspired by what WalletConnect has achieved together in 2024. From scaling our user base to advancing decentralization, these strides are a testament to the strength and dedication of our community.
Yet, this is only the beginning. The WalletConnect Network is not stopping here—2025 will be the most important year yet.
Reflecting on 2024: A year of growth
In 2024, WalletConnect achieved remarkable milestones, including supporting over 221 million connections, surpassing 4.1 million Unique Active Wallets (UAW) with a 137% increase, onboarding 16 node operators to drive decentralization, and launching the WalletConnect Token (WCT) for governance and staking. The year also saw the establishment of the WalletConnect Foundation, laying the groundwork for a community-owned network by 2025. For a deeper dive into these achievements, check out WalletConnect Ecosystem Edit #01: Year in Review.
WalletConnect in 2025: Scaling decentralization and innovation
As we move into 2025, WalletConnect’s mission remains clear: to build a decentralized, secure, and scalable network that empowers the web3 ecosystem.
Governance empowerment
Governance will be a central focus in 2025. With the WalletConnect Token (WCT), users will have increased voting power, allowing them to play an active role in shaping the network's future. The WalletConnect roadmap includes the introduction of on-chain governance by Q2 2025, enabling token holders to vote on major network upgrades and protocol changes. This will mark a pivotal shift toward a more community-driven ecosystem where users can directly influence the platform's direction.
Scaling decentralization
WalletConnect is committed to furthering decentralization by expanding our node operator program. In 2025, WalletConnect aims to increase the number of node operators significantly, enhancing network security and decentralization. Our goal is to include XX+ node operators by mid-2025, ensuring that the network is not only more resilient but also more inclusive. This expansion will be accompanied by more streamlined processes for onboarding new operators, making decentralization more accessible to the community.
Community focus
As part of our ongoing efforts to drive engagement and reward our community, WalletConnect will launch multiple airdrops throughout 2025. The second airdrop will happen in early 2025, incentivizing early adopters and developers. Additionally, WalletConnect will continue running staking rewards programs with a focus on encouraging long-term participation and involvement in the network’s growth.
Link Mode and One-Click Auth
In 2025 Link Mode, a feature designed to simplify user interactions by allowing instant reconnection between wallets and dApps across sessions, will be mainstream not just within web3 but in other areas of society. Alongside this, One-Click Auth will provide a streamlined authentication process, reducing friction for users and making web3 experiences more accessible.
Smart Sessions: Revolutionizing Wallet UX
A key highlight of 2025 will be the adoption of Smart Sessions, an advanced feature designed to revolutionize the wallet user experience. Smart Sessions will enable users to maintain persistent connections across multiple applications, eliminating the need for repeated authentication and significantly enhancing usability, find out more about Smart Sessions from our partners at Reown. This innovation will set a new standard for wallet interactions in web3, forget about signing a transaction at every step.
Web3 in 2025: A year of evolution
As web3 continues its evolution, we foresee exciting developments that will redefine the digital economy. Here are my top three forecasts for the year ahead:
- Smart Accounts and Smart Sessions takeover By the end of 2025, Smart Accounts and Smart Sessions will become the default standard for all wallets, bringing full programmability and automation to the wallet ecosystem. These advancements will enable easy integration of advanced features, such as multi-party approvals, recurring payments, and customizable workflows, without compromising security or user control. Wallets will evolve from simple tools for transactions to dynamic, programmable hubs for managing onchain activities.
- AI-Driven automation enhances onchain experiences AI agents will become embedded in every onchain app, revolutionizing how users interact with web3. These agents will offer real-time insights, recommend actions, and automate repetitive tasks while ensuring users maintain full control over their wallets and assets. This shift will make wallets smarter, enabling them to adapt to user preferences and provide tailored, frictionless experiences in decentralized ecosystems.
- A new era of community building Web3 will witness a massive explosion in community building, fueled by advancements in payments, subscriptions, and decentralized governance. Innovations like micropayments, programmable subscription models, and token-based voting will empower communities to fund, manage, and grow their ecosystems more effectively. This will unlock unprecedented opportunities for creators, DAOs, and decentralized platforms to foster deeper engagement and collaboration.
Looking ahead, 2025 is poised to be a transformative year, not just for WalletConnect, but for web3 as a whole. Together, WalletConnect will continue to innovate, grow, and build a decentralized future.
To our community, partners, and node operators: thank you for your trust and support. You are the backbone of WalletConnect’s success, and we’re excited to continue this journey with you.
Stay connected, stay inspired, and let’s make 2025 another groundbreaking year for web3.