The WalletConnect Certified program is a wallet user experience (UX) certification system jointly launched by the @WalletConnect foundation and Reown, aimed at enhancing the overall quality of the Web3 wallet ecosystem through standardized design, technical compatibility, and user interaction processes. This program not only provides authoritative endorsement for wallet manufacturers but also promotes manufacturers to optimize their products and deeply participate in the #WalletConnect ecosystem construction through the WCT token incentive mechanism.
1. Certification standards and core values
The WalletConnect Certified program evaluates wallets around four core dimensions:
• Interaction efficiency: Minimize user clicks, such as one-click connections to DApps or cross-chain switching.
• Security: End-to-end encrypted communication (E2EE) and clear permission prompts ensure the safety of private keys and transaction data.
• Multi-chain compatibility: Support for protocol adaptation for mainstream chains like Ethereum, Solana, Optimism, and compliance with CAIP-25 standards for seamless interoperability.
• User experience transparency: Provide intuitive interface design and error feedback mechanisms to lower the barrier for new users.
Currently, 19 leading wallets have been certified, including MetaMask, Trust Wallet, and Binance Web3 wallet. These manufacturers can prioritize receiving WCT token rewards and technical support.
2. Operation of the WCT incentive mechanism
WalletConnect incentivizes wallet manufacturers to continuously optimize through a token economic model:
• Certification rewards: Wallets that pass the review can receive a one-time WCT airdrop for staking or governance participation.
• Performance incentives: Wallets that complete over 100,000 successful connections each month can proportionally share from the WCT reward pool (accounting for 17.5% of the total token supply).
• Ecosystem co-construction: Manufacturers can apply for additional development subsidies by integrating the latest WalletConnect features (like push notifications or Auth login).
For example, the Rainbow wallet received a quarterly reward of 500,000 WCT for optimizing mobile connection speed.
3. Long-term value for wallet manufacturers
• Traffic entry advantage: Certified wallets can have priority access to the 100,000+DApp ecosystem supported by WalletConnect, attracting more users.
• Governance voice: Manufacturers holding WCT can vote to decide the direction of protocol upgrades (like relay fee adjustments), influencing industry standards.
• Brand premium: The certification mark becomes a symbol of safety and ease of use, enhancing user trust.
4. Challenges and future directions
Despite significant incentives, manufacturers still need to contend with:
• Technical adaptation costs: Multi-chain support requires continuous investment in development resources, especially for complex scenarios like cross-chain signature verification.
• Competitive pressure: Leading wallets like MetaMask already have similar built-in features, which may weaken the uniqueness of the certification.
Conclusion
The WalletConnect Certified program builds a win-win mechanism between wallet manufacturers and the Web3 ecosystem through token incentives and standardized certification. In the future, with governance decentralization (like DAO voting) and cross-chain expansion (such as native Solana support), this program may become a core platform for promoting industry compliance and innovation.
