Web3 Social Projects Forgo Tokens to Build Infrastructure
- Main event, leadership changes, market impact, financial shifts, or expert insights.
- Farcaster, Lens, and CyberConnect delay token launches.
- Focus on building infrastructure before introducing tokens.
Several top social projects in Web3, including Farcaster, Lens Protocol, and CyberConnect, remain without an official token, focusing instead on decentralized infrastructure development as of October 2025.
This approach emphasizes user autonomy and protocol sustainability, influencing market strategies and attracting significant institutional support despite the absence of immediately tradable assets.
Farcaster, Lens Protocol, and CyberConnect are notable Web3 social projects actively developing without tokens. These projects emphasize infrastructure and adoption before introducing tokens, a stark contrast to earlier practices in the crypto space. Collaboration with veteran figures enhances credibility.
These projects involve recognized leaders such as Dan Romero of Farcaster and Stani Kulechov of Lens Protocol, who focus on developing decentralized social systems. Their commitment to infrastructure highlights the changing trends in the Web3 ecosystem by delaying token releases until systems mature.
“Farcaster is a sufficiently decentralized social network. Anyone can build a client, run a hub, or develop protocol improvements.” – Dan Romero, Co-founder, Farcaster
The current focus on infrastructure over token announcements potentially lengthens the development time but increases stability. Institutional funding is attracted despite the absence of tokens, reflected in CyberConnect’s venture rounds, indicating trust in long-term growth strategies.
Although lacking immediate token-driven incentives, these projects benefit from significant financial backing. Funding from Web3 VCs and grants provides crucial resources, augmenting development without affecting market liquidity through token releases.
Focusing on development could influence token strategies across the market as successful cases might reshape governance norms. Other Web3 entities may adopt similar models given the institutional support these projects receive, heralding a transformation in how crypto projects leverage funding and community engagement.
Historical trends indicate a shift from the initial euphoria of token launches towards a more measured approach. Prior cases like Uniswap postponed token launches, aligning with strategic market-entry plans. Current endeavors also hint at evolving regulatory responses as frameworks like those suggested by the US SEC gain attention.
