In today’s fast-moving Web3 ecosystem, it has become almost instinctive for new projects to measure themselves against recent stars. Lately, Succinct has emerged as the benchmark of choice—cited on slides, pitch decks, and whitepapers as the project to “compare against.” While benchmarking has value, the way it’s being used today often risks doing more harm than good.

The danger? Superficial comparisons create imitation, not innovation.

Why Succinct Became the Benchmark

Succinct didn’t just succeed because of timing or hype—it carved its place by solving a critical problem: providing reliable, efficient, and developer-friendly zero-knowledge infrastructure in a way that lowered adoption barriers. Its traction was earned through technical clarity, community credibility, and product-market alignment.

This combination made Succinct a poster child for what a “successful crypto infrastructure project” can look like. Naturally, every ambitious builder wants to be “the next Succinct.” But here’s the catch: success stories aren’t templates—they are case studies.

The Mirage of Benchmarking Without Depth

History offers plenty of warnings.

Aster once rode the wave of narrative hype but failed to solidify a foundation, fading as quickly as it rose.

rliquidx left an impression, but its visibility couldn’t translate into sustainable adoption.

Warden, despite early momentum, never became the Newton it was once hyped to be.

These examples remind us that even projects with early promise can dissolve into footnotes when their foundations are built on borrowed momentum rather than intrinsic strength.

Succinct’s path cannot simply be replicated—it must be understood. Benchmarking without context reduces complex success stories into shallow bullet points.

The Right Way to Benchmark

Benchmarking isn’t inherently flawed. In fact, when applied with depth, it becomes a powerful strategic lens. But it must come after the groundwork:

1. Define your foundation first.

What unique problem are you solving?

What is your differentiated approach?

Why should anyone care if you exist?

2. Refine your framework.

Build your value proposition around your ecosystem’s gaps, not someone else’s glory.

Stress-test your assumptions before seeking comparisons.

3. Clarify your strategy.

Are you competing, complementing, or reshaping the landscape?

Benchmarking without strategic clarity turns into noise.

When you benchmark from a position of strength, comparisons are no longer distractions but navigational aids.

Lessons From Succinct (Beyond the Numbers)

Succinct teaches us more than just “what worked.” Its true lessons are philosophical:

Solve a real bottleneck. Many projects chase hype cycles, but Succinct tackled a technical friction point that mattered deeply to builders.

Lower the adoption threshold. Complex cryptography becomes valuable only when it’s usable by the broader ecosystem. Succinct leaned into accessibility.

Stay narrative-aware but not narrative-bound. It benefited from being aligned with the ZK momentum—but it didn’t overextend into “being everything.” It stayed sharp.

These are not shortcuts. They are principles. You cannot benchmark into them—you must build into them.

Benchmarking as a Mirror, Not a Crutch

At its best, benchmarking is a mirror, reflecting how your project stands relative to the ecosystem. At its worst, it’s a crutch, propping up weak narratives with borrowed credibility.

The truth is simple:

Success doesn’t equal a roadmap.

Comparisons don’t substitute strategy.

Benchmarks don’t define you—they only highlight you, once you already stand.

Final Takeaway

Succinct is worth studying, not copying. Projects that aspire to last must anchor themselves in rational analysis: evaluate your own strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. Benchmark wisely, not blindly.

Because in this industry, shadows fade fast—but unique foundations endure.

✨ Mindshare insight: Benchmarking should never be your first step. It should be your validation layer—used only when your project has its own skeleton, muscles, and heartbeat. Until then, every comparison risks turning into camouflage rather than clarity.

$PROVE @Succinct #SuccinctLabs