I keep thinking about something I heard during a panel at the recent Hivefest: the idea that Hive’s Layer 1 is already in a really strong place, so the bigger opportunities now live in Layer 2 and user-facing apps.
And honestly… that framing makes perfect sense.
Hive already feels like it was designed for humans. It’s fast, it’s usable, and the ecosystem keeps improving without the excessive marketing in Web2 apps. You can see the steady flow of builders shipping, witnesses coordinating, and frontends evolving... silently, consistently, and long-term focused.
So if L1 is the engine, then L2 is the interior design, the dashboard, the seatbelt, the GPS… basically everything that makes the ride comfortable for normal people.
What does it take to design a Web3 app that Web2 users will actually adopt?
created using Sora
If you want Web2 people to migrate, you have to start with an uncomfortable truth:
Most people don’t wake up thinking, “I want decentralization.”
They wake up thinking, “I want a platform that works.”
They want:
- A simple login.
- A familiar feed.
- Easy posting.
- Consistent rewards.
- And some confidence they’re not about to get scammed.
Because trust is still the biggest issue right now. We all know someone who were failed by crypto... usually through a scam, a fake “support agent,” or a phishing link that drained a wallet.
That’s why I strongly agree with the “be human” approach: direct onboarding, real conversations, and community approach. Incentives help, but they can also trigger scam radar. Sometimes the best growth tactic is literally: get on a Zoom, hang out, and make someone feel seen.
And this is exactly where Hive’s challenge (and opportunity) becomes clear.
Hive is a social blockchain, but new users often experience the first steps like an obstacle course; keys, unfamiliar terms, multiple frontends, and that classic question: “What do I do now?” If their first post gets no engagement, or they hit a confusing RC limit, it doesn’t feel like “decentralization”… it just feels weird and cold.
So the mission for Hive L2 isn’t just “build more dApps.”
It’s: make the early experience feel guided, rewarding, and socially alive.
When will we see a real shift from Web2 to Web3 social media?
My honest take... it won’t be one dramatic migration. It’ll be a slow leak… until it suddenly looks obvious in hindsight.
We get there when Web3 products stop leading with crypto and start leading with benefits:
- Real ownership.
- Direct monetization.
- Niche community strength.
- And fewer intermediaries or middlemen.
And I think stablecoins are a huge catalyst. They’re one of the few crypto tools that already make sense to everyday users; especially younger people who live cashless already. In fact, stablecoins might be the “snowball use case” that pushes mass adoption forward.
Once people get comfortable holding and using on-chain dollars like $HBD, the jump to on-chain identity, on-chain social, and on-chain creator income becomes less scary.
If I were designing a Hive-style Web3 social app, here’s what I’d prioritize
1) Absurdly simple onboarding
One-click account creation, social logins, and fewer moments where a new user feels like they need a glossary.
2) A 5-minute guided path (not a documentation maze)
A short interactive tutorial that explains keys, posting, earning, and what to do next... quickly.
3) Starter momentum
Delegations, starter packs, or temporary boosts so newcomers can actually participate without friction.
4) Start with a niche, not “everyone”
Indie artists, Web3 gamers, travel creators, finance writers; pick one passionate group and make them feel at home first. Hive already thrives in niche communities; we should focus into that.
5) Engagement loops that feel human
Welcome messages that aren’t bots. Web2 people want a culture that makes people want to return even before rewards kick in.
6) Seamless bridges to Web2
Let users share outward easily. Reduce the psychological risk of “posting into the void.” The best onboarding isn’t just UI... it’s helping someone find their first people.
The big idea
If Hive’s L1 is already strong, then Hive’s next wave is about building the experience layer so well that newcomers don’t even realize they’re using Web3… until they notice they own their account, their content, and their rewards of course.
Because the goal isn’t to make Web2 users “care about decentralization.”
The goal is to make them say: “This is better… and I’m staying.”
Hive on. 🐝
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It's interesting to see how everything is gaining momentum to attract more people who will appreciate it in the future.
Agreed… momentum is building quietly. The real value will show as more people start to truly understand and use it.
!INDEED
One of the event I saw Pengu in collaboration with Hive, we should really start seeing cross chain swap? Like swap with Pengu and Pengu with Hive(just example) more than flow of words. Itwould increase more traction towards Hive.
Totally agree. Real cross-chain swaps would be awesome and could bring real traction and users to Hive.
That would be fun as well. Swaps, and swaps, and swaps... haha
Haha 😄 exactly… real swaps would make things way more exciting.
Leo going up
Nice to see some movement 😄 let’s see if it sustains.
Micro-earning isn't attractive for many. Most people want big numbers in the shortest possible time. Those who see the potential of micro from a long-term perspective are rare.
Totally agree... micro-earning rewards patience. Those who stay long enough usually see the compounding effect.