Technology never stands still, and developers are now focusing their attention on Web3. This vision for a decentralised internet, powered by blockchain, is becoming a reality as more developers worldwide get involved.
Whether working for well-funded Silicon Valley firms or contributing to global open-source groups, these tech minds are shaping the web3 starter pack, promising users more control over their data, identity and digital belongings.
Often called the “decentralised internet,” Web3 represents a major shift away from the centralised Web2 platforms run by giants like Google, Meta and Amazon. It is built on blockchains, distributed ledgers and smart contracts, creating a more open, secure and user-led online world.
Web3 tries to break down digital barriers, giving individuals true ownership of their information and assets. For developers, this is as much a challenge as it is a cause.
Interest in Web3 keeps growing. Electric Capital reported a 66% jump in active Web3 developers during 2024, with over 22,000 people contributing each month on platforms such as Ethereum, Solana and Polkadot. This influx is driven by more than just technology—many are drawn by the chance to shake up established power in tech.
Maria Alvarez, a blockchain developer at ConsenSys, puts it simply: “Web3 is about putting users back in charge. It’s thrilling to work on ideas that shift control.”
Web3 Starter Pack is Open Source
Developers are drawn to the Web3 starter pack open-source spirit and its drive for new ideas. Unlike Web2, where closed systems often restrict progress, Web3 supports teamwork through public protocols. Developers create decentralised apps (dApps) for everything from finance (DeFi) to NFT marketplaces and virtual spaces like the metaverse.
While Ethereum leads the way with more than 4,000 dApps, others such as Solana and Cardano are winning fans thanks to quick transactions and lower costs. This range of options creates friendly rivalry, pushing developers to try new solutions across different platforms.
DeFi is one of Web3’s main engines. These financial platforms, built on smart contracts, let people lend, borrow and trade assets without banks. In 2024, over $200 billion was held in DeFi protocols, according to DeFi Pulse.
Developers are at the heart of this growth, building systems that let money flow without central control. Rajesh Patel, who works on Aave, says: “It feels like writing the future of finance. Each line of code makes a difference.”
Web3’s reach is much wider than finance. Developers are building new tools for gaming, social media and governance. In projects like Decentraland and The Sandbox, people can own plots of virtual land as NFTs.
Platforms such as Lens Protocol let users control their posts and income. Meanwhile, communities are using DAOs (decentralised autonomous organisations) to run projects together, from open-source software funding to digital art groups. These changes are pulling in developers keen to work outside typical tech settings.
Decentralised Platforms
Still, the Web3 starter pack faces real problems. Scaling up is tough—Ethereum’s high “gas fees” and slower speeds annoy many users and builders. Solutions like Optimism and Arbitrum try to help, but they can make things more complex. Security issues are another worry.
Big hacks, like the $600 million Poly Network break-in, show the risks smart contracts carry. Developers need to learn new coding languages, such as Solidity, and make sure their work is safe.
Regulation is another grey area. Governments worldwide are still working out how to handle cryptocurrencies and decentralised platforms. In the United States, the SEC is planning tougher rules for DeFi and NFTs, while the European Union’s MiCA regulations, due in 2025, could bring extra rules. Clara Nguyen, a Web3 developer in Singapore, sums it up: “We’re working in a space where the laws aren’t clear. It’s a race to build before rules catch up.”
Despite challenges, developers are as active and determined as ever. Hackathons like ETHGlobal and Solana’s Hyperdrive are packed, bringing thousands together to build Web3 apps. Big names in tech are joining in—Meta has added blockchain features to its metaverse plans, Google Cloud is offering Web3 tools, and banks such as JPMorgan are trying out their blockchain projects.
Web3’s open-source approach helps developers connect in new ways. Tools like Gitcoin and Radicle help people code and fund projects together. Communities on X (formerly Twitter) swap ideas and help each other out, keeping everyone updated in real time.
“This is a worldwide effort,” says Patel. “You’re not just building for a single company—you’re working for a shared future.”
IPFS and MetaMasks
Some still doubt whether the Web3 starter pack can deliver on every promise. The technology is very new, and some blockchains, especially proof-of-work ones like Bitcoin, use a lot of energy. Hype around NFTs and crypto also brings speculators, scams and sudden price swings. Many developers see these as normal hurdles for any new idea. “Sceptics are always there when something changes,” says Alvarez. “We’re just putting the building blocks in place.”
As Web3 starter pack grows, its impact on society could be huge. Shifting control from tech giants to users it lets people manage their own online identities. For developers, this is a chance to help build a fairer internet. Tools such as IPFS for storage and MetaMask wallets for sign-in are making the vision real.
The debate is no longer about whether Web3 will happen, but about how soon it becomes everyday life. Developers keep pushing forward, working together and finding new ways to solve problems. They are not just writing code—they are helping build the next chapter of the internet. For now, momentum is strong, and the whole world is watching where it leads.
