Web3 Faces Challenges In Expanding User Base In 2025

According to CoinDesk, despite significant investments and a decade of Ethereum's existence, the Web3 industry still lacks the necessary turnkey toolsets to broaden its adoption. This is in stark contrast to the early days of the internet, where user-friendly tools quickly emerged, facilitating widespread use. In the late 1990s, the internet began to significantly impact daily life, with AOL surpassing 3 million users by 1995 and Yahoo! launching as a secondary web gateway. Google’s founding in 1998 and the introduction of basic search capabilities by 1999 further opened the internet to new users. The early 2000s marked the Web2 era, characterized by easy-to-use, template-driven tools that expanded the user base. Amazon Marketplace launched in 2000, providing a turnkey e-commerce solution. Within five years, platforms like Wordpress, MySpace, and Facebook enabled personal sharing online. This rapid development of user-friendly tools was both a result of and a catalyst for the internet's success. However, in 2025, Web3 lacks similar platforms that could drive its growth. Most projects target developers or crypto enthusiasts, raising questions about the industry's ability to expand without broader user-friendly tools. Web3 participants are often incentivized through tokens to engage early with projects, regardless of usability. Projects with strong social media followings are prioritized, but unless they address critical needs, users rarely remain engaged long-term. This focus on early-stage operations over ease-of-use and long-term adoption hinders Web3's growth. For Web3 to move beyond its 'early' stage and achieve growth similar to Web2, there must be a shift towards developing tools and user interfaces that expand the user base and address genuine problems. Long-term success will depend on Web3 products that continuously add value and solve common issues for users.