This AMA focused on how Web3 is evolving beyond Bitcoin and single-use crypto products. The discussion explored why platforms are moving toward all-in-one ecosystems, which use cases may drive the next adoption wave, and whether Web3 will follow the super-app model seen in Asia.
Speakers highlighted stablecoins, RWAs, tokenized assets, prediction markets, social applications, and smoother onboarding as key growth drivers. Overall, the session emphasized that Web3’s future depends on making crypto more practical, seamless, and accessible for everyday users.
Introduction
SHIFT
SHIFT was represented by Michael, the founder and host of this AMA. In this session, Michael guided the discussion around the evolution of Web3 beyond Bitcoin, focusing on how crypto, traditional finance, AI, prediction markets, tokenized assets, and stablecoins are becoming increasingly connected within one broader ecosystem.
VOICE
VOICE was represented by Shimkey, who joined the discussion from a social and product growth perspective. VOICE contributed thoughts on user acquisition, retention, social applications, and how Web3 products need to become easier and more naturally integrated into users’ daily experiences.
URNA
URNA was represented by Ash, Operations Manager of the project. URNA introduced itself as an early-stage DeFi and RWA-focused project working in the green energy space, with a public auction model based on proof of service and an incentive program designed for users.
Cognify
Cognify was represented by Blake, who joined the AMA under the name Defi Granted. His contributions focused on DeFi market evolution, horizontal product expansion, user onboarding, UX challenges, and the long-term possibility of Web3 ecosystems developing into super-app-like platforms.
1. For many users, crypto products were built around a single use case: trading, lending, payment, gaming, or social. Why are we now seeing more platforms trying to bring everything under one roof?
Cognify
Cognify explained that DeFi ecosystems are becoming increasingly competitive within individual verticals. Building another lending platform, spot exchange, or payment product is no longer enough to stand out. As specific narratives become saturated, projects naturally begin to expand horizontally rather than only developing deeper within one niche. This is why many platforms are now adding social features, gamification, payment functions, lending tools, or trading utilities into one broader ecosystem.
From Cognify’s perspective, this mirrors the evolution of modern digital banking and fintech platforms. Successful products are no longer limited to one core function; instead, they build ecosystems that improve user retention and daily engagement. Crypto platforms are likely to continue moving in this direction, shifting from isolated tools into larger product portfolios where users can access multiple services without constantly moving between different apps.
VOICE
VOICE emphasized that user acquisition in crypto is extremely expensive. Once a platform brings users in, it does not want them to leave for another app to complete the next step in their journey. As infrastructure has improved and building new applications has become easier, many teams are adding more features to keep users inside their own ecosystem for as long as possible.
However, VOICE also pointed out a key risk: many apps are simply stacking features without connecting them meaningfully. If users cannot understand why these features exist or how they support the product’s core purpose, the platform may become confusing rather than useful. For VOICE, the real challenge is not just adding more functions, but building a coherent experience that gives users a reason to stay.
URNA
URNA explained that in the early stages of Web3, fragmentation made sense because the technology was still developing and smaller products were easier to manage. But as adoption increased, users began to experience the pain of moving across many different platforms for trading, payments, yield, asset management, and information. Bringing these functions under one roof can make the experience more convenient and reduce friction.
URNA believes that the move toward integrated ecosystems is driven by convenience, retention, and deeper utility. If users can trade, earn yield, make payments, and manage assets within one platform, the product becomes more than just a tool; it becomes part of their daily Web3 routine. Although adoption is still early and sometimes confusing for new users, URNA sees this model as a natural direction for the industry.
2. Users can now trade crypto, access tokenized stocks, participate in prediction markets, earn yield, and make payments from a single ecosystem. Which of these use cases do you think will drive the next wave of adoption?
URNA
URNA argued that the next wave of adoption will not come from one single use case. Trading has historically brought large numbers of users into crypto because speculation is a strong entry point, but mass adoption requires practical reasons for people to use crypto even when they are not actively trading. Stablecoins are already proving this value by solving real problems around payments, cross-border transfers, and access to digital dollars.
URNA also highlighted tokenized stocks, RWAs, and prediction markets as important adoption drivers. Tokenized assets can make global investing more accessible, especially for users who want exposure to U.S. stocks, treasury-like products, or other investment assets directly from a crypto wallet. Prediction markets are also powerful because they turn information, opinions, and real-world events into financial markets. Together, stablecoins, tokenized assets, trading, prediction markets, and RWAs may create the next adoption cycle.
Cognify
Cognify agreed that adoption will come from a combination of features and narratives rather than one dominant product category. He pointed to tokenized stocks and 24/7 market access as a major opportunity, because users could eventually trade traditional assets from anywhere at any time. However, he stressed that product access alone is not enough if the user experience remains too complicated.
For Cognify, the biggest blocker is still onboarding. Many users do not want to understand wallets, gas, bridges, non-EVM chains, and technical blockchain concepts before using a product. Adoption will accelerate when users can interact with blockchain-based systems without feeling like they are using blockchain at all. Better UX and UI are not secondary details; they are essential for retention and long-term growth.
VOICE
VOICE believes social applications will continue to be one of the strongest forces behind crypto adoption. He used meme coins as an example: their success was not only because of speculation, but because they were highly social. Users shared wins, followed creators, interacted with communities, and joined narratives that felt alive. Prediction markets may follow a similar path because they are also social by nature, allowing users to bet on real-world events, opinions, and outcomes with friends or communities.
VOICE also emphasized that the most successful Web3 apps may be the ones where users do not even realize they are using blockchain. He mentioned examples from neobanking, crypto cards, and consumer-facing products that go viral in Web2 before users discover they are actually powered by Web3 infrastructure. In his view, products that remove the difficult parts of crypto and feel simple to use will be the ones that win.
3. Asia’s internet giants built super apps by combining multiple services into one experience. Do you think crypto follows the same path, or does Web3 need a different model?
Cognify
Cognify explained that Asian super apps such as WeChat and Kakao are powerful examples of what can happen when many services are combined into one platform. These apps allow users to chat, pay, access services, and manage daily activities without switching between many smaller applications. However, he noted that this level of adoption usually requires strong government support, deep local integration, and alignment with national infrastructure.
For Web3, Cognify believes it is difficult to reach that level today. Crypto is still facing regulatory uncertainty across different countries, and most founders do not yet have the political network, capital, or institutional support needed to build a true global super app. In the near term, Web3 is more likely to build ecosystem apps that combine different products and services, rather than full super apps at the level of WeChat. A true Web3 super app may only become realistic over a much longer timeline.
SHIFT
SHIFT added that government support can create massive adoption momentum, using El Salvador’s Bitcoin adoption and the Chivo wallet as an example. When a country supports a specific crypto infrastructure, user growth can happen very quickly because the product becomes part of the national payment and financial system. This shows that crypto super apps may need more than strong technology; they may also need institutional or national-level support.
At the same time, SHIFT noted that Web3 has a different spirit from traditional super apps. Crypto users often value openness, decentralization, and community-driven innovation, while super apps usually involve a high level of control over users, services, and infrastructure. Because of that, Web3 may not simply copy the Web2 super app model. Instead, it may need a more open ecosystem model that still gives users convenience without sacrificing the flexibility and independence that define crypto.
Cognify
Cognify further clarified that building a super app is not only a product or marketing challenge. It requires years of infrastructure development, strong market fit, huge financial resources, and access to decision-makers who can influence adoption at scale. Some things cannot simply be bought with money, especially the network and political support needed to push such a product across an entire country or region.
He believes that for now, Web3 will continue building ecosystem apps rather than true super apps. These platforms may combine trading, payments, social features, asset management, and other services, but they will still be different from the centralized super app model seen in Asia. Over time, as infrastructure improves and more founders gain stronger institutional access, Web3 may move closer to that direction, but it is unlikely to happen immediately.
Conclusion
This AMA highlighted how Web3 is moving beyond a Bitcoin-centered market into a broader, more connected ecosystem where crypto, traditional finance, AI, prediction markets, RWAs, and stablecoins are beginning to overlap. The speakers agreed that the next stage of growth will not be driven by one single narrative, but by practical use cases that make Web3 easier, more useful, and more accessible for everyday users.
A key theme throughout the discussion was the shift from isolated crypto products to integrated ecosystems. Platforms are no longer competing only by offering one feature such as trading, lending, or payments. Instead, they are trying to bring multiple services under one roof to improve convenience, retention, and long-term user engagement. However, the speakers also emphasized that adding more features is not enough. For Web3 to reach the next wave of adoption, products must solve real user problems, simplify onboarding, improve UX, and reduce the technical friction that still makes crypto difficult for many new users.
Overall, the discussion suggested that the future of Web3 will depend on a balance between utility and accessibility. Stablecoins, tokenized assets, prediction markets, social applications, and RWA products may all play important roles, but the winning platforms will likely be those that make these services feel seamless and natural. Rather than simply copying Web2 super apps, Web3 may need to build its own model: open, user-centered ecosystems that combine financial access, social interaction, and real-world utility while keeping the core spirit of crypto alive.
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