Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) are still early, but the momentum is undeniable. We've been tracking this space closely, and the takeaway is clear: traditional infrastructure — costly, rigid, and centralized — is hitting its limits. DePIN is heating up, leveraging existing resources and handing control to participants to solve pressing challenges in compute, connectivity, and beyond.

2024 has been an interesting year, one of the milestones of course being Bitcoin finally breaking and going over $100,000. Between the launch of crypto ETFs, crypto’s impact on elections, and the rise of crypto AI agents, it’s been a wild ride. In this year-end review, we’ll highlight the key Web3 trends and developments of 2024 and explore what they mean for builders, users, and investors heading into 2025.

From Velodrome’s innovative platform for trading future DeFi yield to Farcaster's fresh take on decentralized social media, the Optimism ecosystem is alive with innovation. With major players like Coinbase and Sony building their L2s — Base and Soneium, respectively — on the OP Stack, Optimism is hot. Total value locked (TVL) on Optimism Mainnet has soared past $500 million, with around 570,000 daily transactions. 

2022 was a tumultuous year for Web3, as it was for many other industries. Despite that, we saw many established brands enter the Web3 space. Nike is consistently exploring the edge of new digital technologies, and they continue to be a leader in the Web3 space. Last year they were joined by a plethora of other brands and projects across multiple industries — Lamborghini, Disney, Starbucks and Rimowa, just to name a few. Here’s a look at some of the brands and companies that ventured into Web3 in 2022.