Web3 infrastructure projects face a unique challenge: building the foundation before the ecosystem exists. Long development cycles, high costs, and limited early user traction often trap teams in a classic “chicken-or-egg” dilemma. Yet some projects—like Solana (SOL), TON, and io.net—have broken through with explosive growth. What sets them apart?
This article analyzes these success stories to reveal the core drivers behind their rise: exceptional product experience, influential backing, and the strategic ability to ride emerging trends. More importantly, it uncovers how aligning incentives with key ecosystem players can jumpstart momentum even before a project reaches maturity.
The Solana Model: Experience, Backing, and Timing
Launched in 2017, Solana pursued a bold vision: high performance and low transaction fees through technical innovation. Instead of relying on Ethereum-style sharding or Layer 2 solutions, Solana introduced a decentralized clock mechanism using Proof of History. This allows nodes to generate local timestamps without network-wide consensus, decoupling time from state and maximizing throughput.
While technically impressive, this alone didn’t spark immediate adoption. For nearly three years, Solana remained under the radar, with fewer than 100 developers building on the chain.
The turning point came in 2020 when FTX, then among the world’s top crypto exchanges, chose Solana as its underlying blockchain. This endorsement acted as a powerful influence catalyst, instantly boosting visibility and credibility.
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Following this backing, hundreds of developers flocked to the ecosystem. DeFi protocols, NFT platforms, asset management tools, and infrastructure projects began thriving on Solana. The project doubled down on developer experience by hosting regular hackathons, offering developer toolkits, and maintaining open feedback channels. For users, Solana prioritized performance—addressing early network outages through iterative upgrades like QUIC deployment, which stabilized the network long-term.
Even after FTX’s collapse and a brutal bear market erased over 90% of Solana’s TVL and token value, the network survived. Why? Because the user trust and community loyalty built during its growth phase endured. Core developers stayed active on GitHub, preserving momentum through the downturn.
With the 2024 bull run fueled by Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF approvals, Solana surged again—this time powered by the MEME coin boom. Projects launched directly on Solana due to its low gas fees, fast transactions, and mature ecosystem. Tokens like Bonk and WIF created massive wealth effects, drawing in millions of new users.
Solana’s journey proves that infrastructure success isn’t just about technology—it’s about ecosystem trust, strategic alliances, and timing. Influence opens doors; product excellence keeps users engaged; riding trends amplifies growth.
TON: Bridging Web2 and Web3 Through Seamless UX
The Open Network (TON), backed by Telegram’s 900 million monthly users, had a head start in influence. From day one, it was positioned as a bridge between Web2 and Web3—a promise that resonated widely.
TON focused on user experience by enabling interactions via Telegram bots. No wallet setup or complex blockchain actions were required. Users could engage with DeFi, NFTs, or games as easily as using mini-programs within an app.
For developers—especially those from Web2 backgrounds—TON lowered the entry barrier with familiar tools and smooth integration paths. This inclusivity attracted a wave of new builders who might otherwise avoid blockchain development.
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When Notcoin (NOT), a gamified meme project on TON, went viral in 2024, the chain experienced explosive growth. GameFi projects followed, leveraging TON’s speed and Telegram-native accessibility. The result? A self-reinforcing cycle: viral apps brought users; users attracted more developers; more dApps deepened ecosystem value.
Like Solana, TON exemplifies the power of combining influential backing, intuitive design, and trend alignment—this time in gaming and social finance.
io.net: Aligning Incentives with Key Ecosystem Players
While Solana and TON prioritized user experience from launch, io.net took a different path—and still achieved rapid growth.
As a decentralized AI compute network built on Solana, io.net connects idle GPU power with AI firms needing affordable processing resources. Backed by top-tier investors like Multicoin Capital, Animoca Brands, and OKX Ventures—and listed on Binance—it had strong institutional credibility from the start.
But early user experience was far from perfect. The mining process was buggy, complex, and resource-intensive. Yet participation soared.
Why?
Because io.net targeted a critical ecosystem player: cloud service providers. These companies already owned large-scale hardware. By allowing them to rent out idle capacity or mine directly for future token rewards, io.net gave them a clear financial incentive.
Even if providers doubted the token’s long-term value, they could profit immediately by leasing compute power—becoming “pickaxe sellers” in a gold rush. This dual incentive model created scarcity and FOMO among retail miners.
As demand grew, so did buzz. Despite technical flaws, the perception of opportunity outweighed friction. Developers and partners stayed committed because they saw active growth—a signal of viability.
io.net’s strategy reveals a crucial insight: in the early stages, satisfying core stakeholders can compensate for imperfect UX. When influential players benefit early, they become advocates—spreading awareness and driving adoption organically.
Riding the Wave: Serve Those Riding the Trend
All three projects succeeded not just by existing during a trend—but by actively serving those at its center.
- Solana embraced MEME projects with funding, tools, and visibility—creating success stories like pump.fun that drew in more creators.
- TON welcomed Web2 developers with frictionless onboarding and support—turning Telegram into a Web3 gateway.
- io.net aligned with AI firms and cloud providers—positioning itself at the heart of the AI compute revolution.
Their secret? They didn’t wait for demand—they became enablers for those creating it.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: Can a Web3 infrastructure project succeed without big-name backers?
A: While possible, influential backing dramatically accelerates trust and adoption. Projects without it must compensate with exceptional transparency, community engagement, or early product superiority.
Q: Is FOMO a sustainable growth driver?
A: Short-term FOMO can ignite momentum, but long-term success depends on delivering real utility. The best projects use hype to attract attention—then retain users with value.
Q: How do I identify the “core role” in my ecosystem?
A: Look for entities that control critical resources—capital, users, distribution channels, or technical infrastructure. Ask: Who stands to gain most if your project succeeds?
Q: Should I prioritize product perfection or speed to market?
A: In early stages, speed often wins. Launch with core functionality, gather feedback, and iterate quickly. Perfect products delayed are often too late.
Q: What if my project faces technical failures early on?
A: Transparency and responsiveness matter more than perfection. Communicate openly, fix issues fast, and show commitment. Communities forgive flaws if they believe in the team’s integrity.
Q: How important is timing in Web3 growth?
A: Crucial. Aligning with macro trends—like AI or social tokens—gives your project relevance. Being first to serve a surging niche can define market leadership.
Conclusion: Growth Through Strategic Alignment
Web3 infrastructure is a long game—but smart strategies can shorten the path.
Solana shows us that user experience builds resilience.
TON demonstrates that accessibility drives mass adoption.
io.net teaches us that early wins for key players create momentum.
The formula for breakout growth?
- Secure strategic influence through partnerships or backers.
- Deliver real value to core ecosystem participants—even before mass appeal.
- Position your project to serve trending sectors at scale.
Success isn’t about doing everything perfectly from day one. It’s about creating a flywheel where early believers become promoters—and their success fuels yours.
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