WalletConnect has quietly become one of the most important pieces of Web3 infrastructure: the protocol that lets wallets and dApps speak to each other securely, across many chains and UX environments. Over the past 18–24 months the project has moved from “handy protocol” to an actively decentralized network with token economics, partnerships, and a roadmap that aims to make on-chain UX feel like Web2. Here’s a long-form update on the WalletConnect project and the most important recent developments written to be useful whether you’re a builder, product person, or curious user.
Quick recap: what WalletConnect actually does
At its core WalletConnect is an open-source messaging network and protocol that connects wallets to decentralized apps. Instead of entering private keys into websites, users scan a QR code or accept a connection request in their wallet; WalletConnect routes the messages that sign transactions, send requests, and share session data. The goal: make secure wallet-to-dApp flows simple and consistent across wallets, chains, and platforms.
The decentralization journey permissioned nodes → token → community governance
WalletConnect’s public roadmap toward decentralization has been explicit: a phased move from single-operator infrastructure to a permissioned multi-node architecture and then toward a fully permissionless, token-aligned network. The project documented the 2-step (and ongoing) process: first introducing permissioned nodes operated by trusted partners to remove single-point failures, then iterating toward broader decentralization. That approach balances resilience, reliability, and the practical needs of dApps that require dependable routing.
A major milestone tied to decentralization has been the launch and increasing on-chain utility of the WCT token. Making WCT transferable and establishing token mechanics helps align operator incentives and unlocks community governance levers both important to transform WalletConnect from a company-run service into a networked public good. Recent reporting highlights that WCT transferability is live and is being positioned as a pivotal step in the decentralization roadmap.
Product & network milestones (recent, concrete items)
1. Year-in-Review and roadmap for 2025: WalletConnect published a look back and an intent for continued growth and decentralization, explicitly naming 2025 as a year of ramping community and network capabilities. That post outlines developer priorities and signals continued investment in network reliability and broader integrations.
2. Network growth and new integrations: Independent coverage and ecosystem reports note steady onboarding of wallets and apps new integrations that expand cross-chain access and daily connection volume. These ecosystem wins matter because WalletConnect’s value grows with each app and wallet that adopts the standard.
3. Regional partnerships & commercial adoption: WalletConnect has been pairing with regional exchanges and platforms to extend wallet connectivity (for example, market reports of partnerships in Southeast Asia in 2025). These partnerships help introduce WalletConnect-enabled UX to mainstream users via exchanges, wallets, and educational initiatives.
Technical evolution: v2 and beyond
Version 2.0 was a major technical pivot: multi-chain session support, more robust session management, and a modernized messaging layer. By enabling one session to span multiple chains and improving session persistence, v2 reduces friction for multi-chain dApps and wallets. This change is foundational for the cross-chain UX many builders are chasing (and it’s why large L2 projects and multi-chain wallets prioritized v2 adoption). Adoption waves and deprecation of v1 support in many wallets have accelerated the shift.
On the decentralization side, WalletConnect is actively recruiting node operators and ecosystem partners (ledger vendors, infra firms, staking providers) to run permissioned nodes as stepping stones to a permissionless relay fabric. The technical and governance architecture is being built carefully to avoid performance regressions while decentralizing.
Token and economic layer what to watch
The WCT token’s unlocks and transferability are not just PR events they’re structural. Transferable tokens allow secondary markets, governance participation, and token-weighted incentives for node operators and contributors. Coverage indicates WCT is being distributed and listed in multiple venues, and the team’s messaging ties token mechanics to the decentralization and sustainability goals of the network. That said, token launches bring both utility and speculation; builders should focus on how token incentives affect node reliability, costs, and community governance rather than price noise.
Why this matters for dApp builders and product teams
Better UX, lower friction: Multi-chain sessions and improved stability reduce lost connections and make wallet onboarding smoother critical for conversion in DeFi and NFT flows.
Composability across wallets: Standardized sessions mean any WalletConnect-compatible wallet can plug into a dApp without bespoke integrations.
Decentralized routing = resilience: As node operators diversify, dApps will face fewer outages caused by any single operator. That’s essential for high-value DeFi primitives.
Risks and open questions
Speed of decentralization vs. reliability: Moving too quickly to permissionless relays without a mature operator set could cause instability; WalletConnect’s staged approach tries to mitigate that risk, but it’s something to monitor.
Token governance design: The effectiveness of WCT in aligning operators depends on governance mechanics and distribution not simply token issuance. Watch governance proposals and node economics closely.
The bottom line where WalletConnect is headed
WalletConnect is maturing from a protocol into a networked infrastructure layer for Web3: shipping multi-chain UX improvements, onboarding ecosystem partners, and architecting decentralization with token alignment. For product teams, the immediate benefits are smoother wallet flows and expanding wallet choices for users. For the ecosystem, the long game is a permissionless, token-aligned relay network that can reliably route billions in on-chain messages essentially the payments rails and session fabric for a more composable Web3. Expect steady technical work, more partnerships, and governance experiments as the team and com
munity push the network toward true decentralization. @WalletConnect #WalletConnect $WCT
