1. WalletConnect: The Universal Connection Standard
Since launching in 2018, WalletConnect has become a foundational Web3 infrastructure—think of it as the Visa of crypto—enabling seamless, secure wallet-to-DApp connectivity across chains. It supports over 600 wallets and 40,000+ apps with billions of connections to date.
At its core, WalletConnect:
Is chain-agnostic—working across Ethereum, Solana, Cosmos, Polkadot, Bitcoin, and more;
Offers end-to-end encrypted communication, never storing addresses or user data;
Originally addressed the friction of mobile-to-desktop DApp connections, but has since grown into a broader connectivity layer;
2. WalletConnect Evolves: Enter WCT (WalletConnect Token)
As WalletConnect matured, it introduced WCT to catalyze the platform’s shift toward decentralization and community governance.
WCT’s Core Functions:
1. Staking – Participants (node operators, wallets, SDKs) stake WCT to help secure and operate the network, earning rewards in return.
2. Governance – WCT holders vote on protocol changes, fee mechanisms, incentive models, and more.
3. Rewards – Nodes and developers delivering high-quality performance are rewarded with WCT.
4. Fees (Future Vision) – While WalletConnect doesn’t currently charge fees, WCT may become the payment medium for relay usage or advanced services—subject to community approval.
3. A Measured Launch: Transferability & Token Dynamics
Initially, WCT was non-transferable, to deter speculation and prioritize utility for genuine contributors.
As of April 15, 2025, WCT became fully transferable, unlocking its use in DeFi and secondary markets.
Token Distribution (Total: 1 Billion WCT):
27% → WalletConnect Foundation (ecosystem development)
18.5% → Team incentives (4-year vesting)
18.5% → Community airdrops (wallets, apps, nodes)
17.5% → Staking/Performance rewards
11.5% → Early supporters
7% → Core protocol development
4. Empowering Users to Become Co-Builders
With WCT, the paradigm shifts:
Users stake WCT, earn rewards, and vote—not just connect.
Developers & node operators earn recognition for delivering reliable infrastructure.
The community shapes future direction: from deciding fee structures to governing network evolution.
This reimagines WalletConnect as a user-governed utility layer, not a passive connection protocol.
5. Real-World Momentum: Adoption & Growth
Staking participation is strong: over 106 million WCT staked and 142,000+ holders, with APYs reaching up to 22%.
Massive network adoption: ~292 million cumulative connections as of April 2025, 45 million unique wallets, and over 62,000 integrated apps.
Token exchange listings active across Binance, Upbit, KuCoin, OKX, and others—boosting accessibility and liquidity.
6. What It Means for Web3
This transition injects genuine stakeholder participation into infrastructure:
Users become co-creators of connectivity infrastructure.
Wallet developers, node operators, dApp creators earn real influence and compensation.
Governance becomes inclusive, pushing WalletConnect toward an eventual DAO structure.
WalletConnect through WCT is morphing from a protocol into an open, community-owned Web3 utility layer much like TCP/IP sits at the base of the internet stack, but entirely permissionless and governed by the people who build it.
