In recent years, the crypto user base has expanded far beyond early adopters and technical enthusiasts. Today, creators, collectors, gamers, and mainstream users are joining the web3 ecosystem in droves. With over 1,000 active protocols—more than 400 with TVL exceeding $10 million—100+ public blockchains, and 200+ crypto wallets available, the landscape for decentralized applications (dApps) and digital wallets is more diverse and competitive than ever.
Yet, this growth has introduced fragmentation. Until recently, dApps and wallets operated in silos. Desktop users relied on browser extensions like MetaMask, while mobile users were often limited to in-app "dApp browsers" that offered subpar experiences compared to standard web browsers. On iOS, Apple’s App Store policies eventually forced the removal of such functionality altogether.
This disconnect created friction: developers struggled to reach mobile users, and users faced cumbersome workflows every time they wanted to interact with a dApp or sign a transaction.
Enter WalletConnect—a universal, open-source protocol that enables secure, seamless communication between any wallet and any dApp.
👉 Discover how WalletConnect is powering the next generation of web3 interactions.
How WalletConnect Works
At its core, WalletConnect establishes an end-to-end encrypted connection between two clients—similar to a secure “wallet signal.” Users initiate the connection by scanning a QR code from their mobile wallet or using deep links on mobile devices. The protocol then generates a cryptographic key pair and creates a secure session between the wallet and the dApp.
This means users can interact with any dApp using their preferred wallet—no matter the platform or device. For developers, it removes the need to build custom integrations for each wallet, allowing them to focus on building better products instead of solving connectivity issues.
We believe WalletConnect has become—and will continue to be—a critical infrastructure layer for mass web3 adoption. Here’s why:
- Mobile-First UX: Over 65% of global web traffic in 2020 came from mobile devices. Platforms like Robinhood and Venmo have shown that users are comfortable managing finances on their phones. WalletConnect enables truly seamless mobile experiences, letting users control their assets via self-custodial wallets and connect to any dApp without permission.
- Enhanced Security: Storing private keys in desktop browsers is inherently risky. While browser extensions like MetaMask offer some protection, WalletConnect shifts the interaction to mobile apps, which are more sandboxed and less prone to cross-application compromise.
- Permissionless Access: From day one, WalletConnect was built by and for the community. Early contributions from teams like Gnosis Safe and Rainbow helped shape its development. This community-driven approach ensures the protocol serves the broader ecosystem—not just a single company’s interests.
- Trustless Neutrality: WalletConnect is minimalist and agnostic. It doesn’t favor any wallet or dApp. Instead, it assumes market competition will determine winners, fostering an open environment where innovation can thrive.
The "Narrow Waist" of Web3
WalletConnect plays a role in web3 similar to what TCP/IP did for the internet.
Before TCP/IP, computer networks were built for specific use cases: ARPANET for wired academic connections, SATNET for transatlantic satellite communication, PRNET for radio-based mobile links. Each had different interfaces, packet sizes, and transmission rules—making interoperability nearly impossible.
Applications had to be built for specific networks, limiting scalability and user reach. The ecosystem was fragmented.
TCP/IP solved this by acting as a universal “narrow waist” in the famous internet architecture model. It abstracted away the differences between underlying network technologies and provided a common standard for all applications.
Similarly, WalletConnect acts as the narrow waist between wallets and dApps. By decoupling the two ecosystems, it allows them to evolve independently while ensuring seamless interaction.
- Wallet developers can launch new products knowing their users will instantly access thousands of dApps.
- dApp builders gain access to a broader audience across platforms and wallet types.
- Users enjoy full freedom of choice—connecting their preferred wallet to any dApp, just like using Wi-Fi, 5G, or Ethernet to access email.
And while WalletConnect is best known for connecting browser-based dApps to mobile wallets, it’s platform-agnostic—supporting desktop-to-mobile, mobile-to-mobile, and desktop-to-desktop connections alike.
Adoption Trends and Growth
Developer interest in WalletConnect has been steadily rising since before the 2021 bull run. As the number of wallets and dApps exploded, so did adoption.
Weekly npm installation counts surged by over 900% in just one year—from 13,000 to more than 140,000.
This growth reflects a rapidly expanding ecosystem: from just 2 wallets and 2 dApps at launch in 2018, WalletConnect now supports over 200 dApps and 100+ wallets. The top five Android crypto wallets—Trust Wallet, MetaMask, Crypto.com, imToken, and BitPay—all integrate WalletConnect, with combined installs surpassing 20 million.
The larger the network becomes, the more valuable it is for new entrants to adopt the protocol—creating a powerful flywheel effect.
WalletConnect v2.0: Powering the Next Wave
The latest version introduces major upgrades that expand functionality and improve user experience.
Multi-Chain Support for dApps
WalletConnect v2.0 supports Cosmos, Polkadot, Celo, Solana, Near, and more. dApps can now request connections across multiple chains simultaneously. For example, Uniswap can request access to both Optimism and Arbitrum, enabling cross-chain swaps without manual network switching.
Push Notifications
Once connected, dApps can send secure push notifications through WalletConnect. Users can manage permissions directly from their wallet—receiving alerts for time-sensitive events like:
- Impending loan liquidations
- New bids on NFTs
- DAO governance votes
These notifications enhance engagement and make decentralized apps more responsive.
Decentralized Messaging Backend
v2.0 uses Waku, a decentralized messaging relay network, as its primary transport layer. This enables high availability and low latency while opening the door to encrypted wallet-to-wallet messaging.
Imagine:
- Receiving official updates from projects whose tokens you hold
- Initiating OTC trades with NFT owners (e.g., ENS domains, digital art)
- Negotiating NFT-backed loans on peer-to-peer platforms like NFTfi
With customizable spam filters, this could become the foundation of crypto-native communication.
WalletConnect Cloud
For developers needing low-latency performance, WalletConnect Cloud offers a managed solution using dedicated proxy servers on the Waku network. It enables real-time message delivery and usage analytics—helping teams understand how users interact with their apps.
This service is a stepping stone toward WalletConnect Network, a fully decentralized relay system where anyone can become a node provider and compete based on performance and reliability.
This shared ownership model levels the playing field—preventing dominance by any single centralized platform.
Your Wallet Is More Than a Bank Account
The first wave of DeFi—DEXs, lending protocols, insurance—laid the groundwork. Now, with social apps, gaming platforms, and identity systems maturing, wallets are evolving into digital identities.
A wallet no longer just holds assets—it reflects:
- Community membership (DAOs)
- Beliefs (governance voting)
- Interests (NFT collections)
- Experiences (POAPs)
WalletConnect empowers this evolution by ensuring every new dApp can reach every wallet—and vice versa—without friction.
👉 See how leading platforms are integrating WalletConnect for seamless user experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is WalletConnect safe to use?
A: Yes. All communication is end-to-end encrypted. Your private keys never leave your device.
Q: Do I need to install a separate app?
A: No. Many popular wallets—including MetaMask and Trust Wallet—have WalletConnect built-in.
Q: Can I connect desktop wallets too?
A: Absolutely. While commonly used for mobile connections, WalletConnect supports desktop-to-desktop and desktop-to-mobile pairing.
Q: Does WalletConnect support non-EVM blockchains?
A: Yes. v2.0 includes support for Solana, Polkadot, Cosmos, Near, and Celo.
Q: Who owns WalletConnect?
A: It’s community-driven. Developed initially by Pedro Gomes in 2018, it now has contributions from major teams across web3.
Q: How do developers integrate WalletConnect?
A: Through well-documented SDKs for web, mobile (iOS/Android), and backend services—available on GitHub.
👉 Explore developer tools and start integrating today.
WalletConnect isn’t just a tool—it’s infrastructure shaping the future of decentralized interaction. As web3 matures, its role as the neutral bridge between wallets and dApps will only grow more vital.