The Web3 ecosystem is rapidly evolving, and at its core lies a critical need: robust infrastructure. While many projects aim to build foundational tools for decentralized applications, few manage to break through the noise and achieve widespread adoption. So what separates the successful Web3 infrastructure projects from the rest?
By analyzing three standout cases—Solana (SOL), TON, and io.net—we uncover a powerful growth formula: exceptional product experience, influential backing, and the strategic ability to ride emerging trends. These projects didn’t just innovate technically—they built ecosystems by aligning incentives with key players, creating self-sustaining momentum.
This article explores how infrastructure teams can overcome early-stage chicken-and-egg dilemmas, gain trust, and scale rapidly—even amid technical setbacks or market downturns.
Solana: The Power of Experience, Backing, and Timing
Launched in 2017, Solana set out to solve one of blockchain’s toughest challenges: achieving high throughput without sacrificing decentralization or affordability. Instead of relying on sharding or Layer 2 solutions like many competitors, Solana introduced a novel concept called Proof of History (PoH)—a decentralized clock that allows nodes to agree on time without constant communication. This innovation drastically reduces latency and enables thousands of transactions per second at minimal cost.
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But groundbreaking technology alone wasn’t enough. For nearly three years, Solana struggled with low visibility and developer interest. The real turning point came in 2020 when FTX Exchange, then among the top 10 global crypto platforms, chose Solana as its underlying blockchain. This endorsement acted as a powerful influence catalyst, instantly drawing attention from developers, investors, and users.
Following this backing, Solana’s ecosystem exploded:
- Hundreds of developers began building DeFi protocols, NFT marketplaces, and infrastructure tools.
- The network improved resilience after early outages through iterative upgrades, including QUIC protocol deployment.
- A strong developer culture emerged via hackathons, grants, and tooling support.
Even when FTX collapsed in 2022—triggering a 90% drop in SOL’s price and TVL—the chain survived thanks to deep-rooted community loyalty. Core developers stayed committed, maintaining GitHub activity and protocol improvements.
Then came the 2024 bull run. With Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF approvals boosting market sentiment, Solana became the go-to chain for meme coins. Projects like Bonk and WIF created massive wealth effects, driving user frenzy (FOMO) and onboarding millions.
What made this resurgence possible? Not just luck—but preparation:
- Product excellence: Low fees and fast finality made it ideal for high-frequency trading and microtransactions.
- Ecosystem nurturing: Early focus on developer experience built long-term goodwill.
- Trend leverage: Solana actively supported meme coin platforms like pump.fun, positioning itself at the center of the trend.
TON: Bridging Web2 and Web3 with Frictionless Access
The Open Network (TON), originally backed by Telegram’s 900 million monthly users, entered the scene with built-in advantages. Unlike most infrastructure projects starting from zero, TON had immediate influence backing and a massive potential user base.
Its strategy focused on two pillars:
- Lowering the barrier for Web2 developers
- Delivering seamless UX for everyday users
For developers unfamiliar with blockchain, TON provides familiar tools and documentation, enabling smooth onboarding into Web3 development. For users, interaction happens directly within Telegram via bots—no wallet setup, seed phrases, or gas fees required. It's akin to using mini-programs inside a super-app.
When the game NOT went viral in early 2024, TON was ready. The chain saw explosive growth as dozens of GameFi projects launched on its platform. By serving both developers and users with intuitive tools—and capitalizing on Telegram’s reach—TON demonstrated how influence + usability + timing can drive viral adoption.
io.net: Incentivizing the Core Players First
While Solana and TON prioritized user experience early on, 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 resources with AI companies needing affordable processing power. Backed by top-tier investors like Multicoin Capital and OKX Ventures, it launched with strong credibility.
Yet its initial user experience was far from perfect—bugs, unclear reward mechanics, and technical barriers plagued early adopters. So how did it succeed?
The answer: targeting the most influential stakeholders first—the cloud service providers.
Rather than chasing retail users, io.net designed its incentive model so that cloud providers could:
- Use existing hardware to mine $IO tokens
- Rent out capacity to others seeking mining access (acting as “pickaxe sellers”)
This created a dual incentive system:
- Cloud providers profited either way
- Retail users faced scarcity, fueling FOMO
As demand surged, even flawed UX couldn’t stop adoption. More importantly, the project team responded quickly to fix issues—proving commitment. The result? A positive flywheel: early profits → buzz → more participants → greater network value.
FAQ: Key Questions About Web3 Infrastructure Growth
Q: Can a Web3 infrastructure project grow without strong investor backing?
A: Yes—but it requires alternative forms of influence. Community-led movements, strategic partnerships, or integration with major platforms (like Telegram for TON) can substitute for traditional VC support.
Q: Is it okay to prioritize certain users over others during launch?
A: Absolutely. Targeting core ecosystem players—like cloud providers for io.net or meme creators for Solana—creates ripple effects. Satisfy those who stand to gain most, and they’ll promote your project organically.
Q: How important is timing in infrastructure growth?
A: Crucial. Even the best tech fails if launched too early or too late. Solana thrived by aligning with the meme coin wave; io.net rode the AI hype cycle. Always ask: Where is the momentum in Web3 today?
Q: Should infrastructure projects care about speculative behavior?
A: Yes—strategically. While long-term value comes from utility, short-term speculation drives awareness. Projects like Solana benefited from FOMO-driven activity that brought in users who later discovered deeper use cases.
Q: What if my project faces technical issues early on?
A: Transparency and responsiveness matter more than perfection. If stakeholders believe in your vision and see active progress, they’ll tolerate temporary flaws—especially if they’re already benefiting.
Riding the Wave: Serve the Trend, Align the Incentives
The lesson across all three cases is clear: success in Web3 infrastructure isn’t just about building—it’s about connecting.
To break free from the “chicken-or-egg” trap:
- Identify who benefits most from your network
- Design incentives so they profit first
- Let their self-interest drive organic expansion
SOL empowered meme creators. TON enabled Web2 devs to enter Web3 effortlessly. io.net gave cloud providers a new revenue stream. Each aligned incentives with trend-riding actors—and grew exponentially as a result.
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Moreover, when seeking influence backing, don’t just chase fame—seek mutual benefit. Like historical tea traders partnering with governments for legitimacy, modern Web3 builders should find partners whose success depends on theirs.
Final Thoughts: Building Trust Through Value Alignment
Web3 infrastructure development is a marathon—not a sprint. But smart strategies can accelerate progress:
- Deliver real value early to key stakeholders
- Leverage influential allies to gain visibility
- Position your project at the heart of rising trends
Even with bugs or market crashes, projects with aligned incentives and passionate advocates survive—and thrive.
In the end, growth isn’t about perfection. It’s about momentum. And momentum starts when someone—whether a cloud provider, a developer, or a meme coin team—decides your project is worth betting on.
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Core Keywords: Web3 infrastructure, decentralized computing, blockchain scalability, AI compute network, Solana ecosystem, TON blockchain, crypto growth strategies, meme coin trends