'Chain Launching' Is Trending Again, But This Time It's Clearly Different
The trend of "launching new blockchains" is resurging, but with a clear difference from the past approach. Previously, the industry standard was to build a chain first—focusing on technology, ecosystem funds, and developer incentives—and then attempt to attract users. This often resulted in chains with impressive specs but little real adoption.
Now, a new model is emerging, exemplified by companies like Robinhood and Circle. Robinhood, with its massive existing user base and active trading platform, is launching its RH chain not as a starting point but as infrastructure to migrate existing financial activity on-chain. Similarly, Circle's upcoming Arc network, designed for financial markets, leverages its established position in stablecoins and payments, with over 100 institutional partners already involved.
The key shift is that the chain is becoming the *result* of proven user demand and business scale, not the catalyst for it. These are not generic Layer 1s built for everyone; they are purpose-built networks tailored to specific financial needs—like payments, settlements, and on-chain finance—that general-purpose chains may not optimally serve.
This suggests a future where the blockchain landscape diversifies. A few large public chains may remain as liquidity hubs, while companies with substantial users, assets, or transactions will operate specialized chains as integrated backend infrastructure. Ultimately, the chain itself may fade into the background, becoming a seamless part of the user experience rather than a standalone product.
marsbitDün 09:30
