The Web3 dream, for most of us, seems a long way off. Centralized exchanges and high gas fees have made trading a walled garden. Now, only the tech-savvy and wealthy are able to figure out the complex new interfaces. It’s a long way from the decentralized, democratized internet we were promised. Hope isn't lost. Modular blockchains are emerging as a powerful force to reshape the landscape, potentially fulfilling the original vision of an inclusive Web3.
Can Tech Truly Empower Everyone?
Modular blockchains, in essence, are all about specialization. They tease out the essential functions into distinct layers. That means separating execution, consensus, data availability, and settlement instead of attempting to do it all on one chain. Think of it like building a car. One company doesn’t design and manufacture each and every part. Whether working on the engine, tires, or interior—each specialist brings their specialized know-how and creativity to pump for the unique project. By implementing this division of labor, they increase efficiency and reduce costs. This, in turn, augments flexibility and lowers barriers to entry for using blockchain technology for a broader audience.
The true game-changer isn’t found in technical efficiency alone. The difference lies not in whether these projects are built, but in how they are designed and ultimately governed. Are they really all that serious about inclusivity? Or are they just the latest version of the same old tech bro bullshit? That’s exactly the question we should be asking.
Let's look at five projects that I believe are leading the charge towards a more inclusive Web3 in 2025: Arbitrum, Manta Network, Celestia, Optimism, and Berachain.
Now, before you call me out for just parroting a winners list, let me tell you why I’m highlighting these particular projects. This is more than their technology, it’s about their power to empower marginalized communities. It’s unimportant so long as their governance models are intentionally designed to avoid the centralization of power. It's about whether they prioritize open-source development and encourage diverse contributions.
Governance: Key To Real Decentralization
Consider the importance of governance. A genuinely inclusive Web3 cannot be subject to the whims of a few dozen venture capitalists or developers. Most important, it has to be driven by the community. This is the promise of DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations). Projects such as Optimism are pioneering new governance frameworks, such as creating “Retroactive Public Goods Funding.” In this new participatory impact funding system, the community continuously votes on projects, funding those that generate the most positive impact. This ensures that developers have the incentive and motivation to create tools and applications that everyone can use—not just the few who can afford it.
DAO's aren't a silver bullet. But we can’t lose our guard to make sure that these organizations are truly reflective of all of us. Let’s ensure that marginalized communities aren’t drowned out by richer, better-connected members. Through community engagement, projects should make proactive efforts to find, engage, and uplift the voices of these communities.
Arbitrum, and its optimistic rollup brothers, promise to show us the way to a more scalable, sustainable, efficient future. What truly excites me is its potential to lower transaction fees, making DeFi and other blockchain applications accessible to users who were previously priced out. Now imagine a poor single mother living on less than $3 a day in Indonesia. Now she can access microloans and send remittances without paying exorbitant fees. That's the power of inclusive technology.
Accessibility: Bridging The Knowledge Gap
Next, with a focus on privacy, Manta Network is another project to watch closely. In an age when organizations aggressively surveil and monetize our information, privacy is more important than ever. Restoration, Ms. McRae said, is not a beauty treatment or a luxury. Manta’s cutting-edge technology enables users to transact and interact with blockchain applications truly privately. This shifts the power back to the people, giving them control over their own digital identities.
Technology is just one part of the equation. We need to tackle the knowledge gap. The truth is, many are intimidated and confused by blockchain technology as it appears overwhelming and complicated. This is precisely where projects like Celestia, and their emphasis on data availability, come in. Celestia decentralizes the effort and cost required to launch and maintain a blockchain. This gives developers the tools to build simpler, easier-to-use and more inclusive applications.
While newer, Berachain is making waves in its own right with an innovative “Proof of Liquidity” consensus mechanism. While the technical details are complex, the underlying principle is simple: to reward users who contribute to the network's liquidity and stability. This promotes a deep incentive to participate and serves to create a more novel, vibrant, and inclusive ecosystem.
Let's be realistic. Creating a Web3 that maximizes the potential for inclusion will not come without challenge. Make no mistake, it won’t all be smooth sailing and there will be failures and frustrations along the journey. We must keep the initiative’s promise for criticality close at hand as we support these projects, demanding accountability to their inclusivity and accessibility promises. We need to demand transparency and accountability.
Solana, for all its speed and efficiency, can be that cautionary tale. Its extreme hardware requirements and frequent outages speak to the risks of dictating performance at the expense of decentralization. We cannot repeat these mistakes.
The future of Web3 depends on whether we can create a more equitable and accessible ecosystem. We just need to be courageous enough to challenge the status quo. It’s time that we started expecting more from the projects and corporations that are developing this technology.
So, what can you do? Get involved. Contribute to these projects. Advocate for a more inclusive Web3. Your voice matters. The future is not predetermined. As Web3 begins to take shape, it’s incumbent on us to create the Web3 we want to live in. Let’s work together to build one that’s more inclusive, with everyone given a fair chance to compete and succeed. A new infrastructure vision that takes the needs of our most marginalized and underserved communities as the baseline. Together, let’s create a Web3 that truly fulfills its potential.
