(and why you guys should care.)

( •ॢᴗ•ॢ⋈)

The internet moves fast. Too fast. Everything onchain evolves at breakneck speed, with everyone building like there’s no tomorrow. With so much happening, my focus has been on the Lens ecosystem—because, IYKYK. The Lens mainnet (chain and protocol, the full package!) is dropping very soon, bringing exactly what many of us in the crypto communities have been waiting for: features that will (re)define SocialFi. While some may argue these updates will mainly benefit a select few, that’s simply not the case.

Afirm: Creatives, artists, and everyday users will find so much to love here. <3

Personally, I’ve been geeking out over internet (sub)cultures for what feels like forever—whether it was slaying in early MMOs, (shit)posting and customizing on MySpace, acting silly on 4chan, or exploring how the internet is dope when critical approaches fuel it. The network has been my +1 since the Minitel, my daily dopamine, and this new Lens might just be a whole new ballgame. Sure, the team’s been killing it with the best merch in the space (not even joking—‘Sup Lenny ♡), but more importantly, the overall project has always been a question of rethinking how we connect, share, and build online.

If you’re an online/onchain culture nerd, you’ll get why the new Lens is such a big deal. The team is reviving the vibes we’ve been missing—freedom, innovation, and the collaborative spirit that made the early web so exciting—but now with tools that are sustainable, sovereign, and resilient.

Why Lens Matters to Me

It just feels like the perfect toolkit to help me explore the internet’s potential from multiple angles; philosophically, creatively, and critically. It’s also a way to build the kind of digital spaces we (I) actually want to inhabit, free from devilish algorithms, useless ads, and walled gardens of Tech Titans. Instead, it promises to be less polished, more authentic, and driven by transparent systems.

With the upcoming network and protocol, it gives us the chance to reimagine social and creative spaces online. This latest version hands everyday users, developers, degens, and chronically online folks like us the building blocks of the internet and says, “Go for it, fren. Build what you’ve always dreamed of.”

To kick things off, they recently hosted the Holiday Hackathon (gg MP!), an online event where people could team up, get creative, and co-build the new internet (and probably skip some of those endless end-of-year family gatherings.) As you can see, unlike the Usual Suspects hoarding control, Lens' team invite the community to help shape their product and share the reins.

That’s the kind of internet we need (and crave).

Frictionless Onboarding and Scalability Are Keys

When I talk to non-crypto friends, my parents (got forced them to open a wallet a few days ago—next, I’ll try to get them on Orb), or even random people I’m evangelizing, I hit the same roadblocks: “It’s too complicated,” “I don’t get it,” or “Why should I care?” The new iteration cancels these excuses. It’s intuitive and effortless in the best way.

The new Lens also utilizes zkSync for scalable, secure transactions on Ethereum and integrates Avail to ensure robust data availability. The real game-changer, however, is the seamless onboarding process: sign up with just a phone number or email address—no wallet setup, no steep learning curve, no barriers. With its modular, user-friendly design, it delivers exactly what the onchain ecosystem needed to become more accessible and attract new users, normies included. As more people join and creators build on this foundation, communities and profiles that once felt out of reach will finally emerge.

The Full-Stack Solution for Social

Lens unfolds a comprehensive solution for social:

All seamlessly integrated into one ecosystem. This is SocialFi at its most powerful—not just a concept, but a fully realized framework empowering us to shape the new internet. Ownership, freedom, rewards, and the tools to build something better. Together.

What’s on the Menu

The social media meta will change. Imagine having a toolbox full of customizable features that lets us build social experiences exactly how we want them. Want to design exclusive spaces where only NFT holders can post or set a token balance requirement to comment? Just do it. Lens Rules give us total control over our communities and content.

Through this system, we will be able to create our own social environments, where the rules aren’t dictated by corporations but by us. Our accounts are tied to smart contracts, meaning they’re ours and 100% portable. We control our identities, and no one can take them away. Usernames are now NFTs, so we can own, transfer, or even sell them, flexing our web-based personas as true digital sovereigns.

Then there’s the Graph, mapping our connections across the network like a living web. Whether we’re building exclusive token-gated communities or chaotic free-for-alls, the power is in our hands. Feeds allow us to curate content streams that follow our rules, while Groups enable tailored spaces for specific entry conditions or collaborative projects. Even governance is on the table, letting members shape moderation and management.

Lens Storage Nodes give us full control over our content. Built on decentralized storage, they let us upload, retrieve, and edit securely without relying on platforms to decide if our content stays online. When changes are needed, we simply sign with our wallet, and Lens’ smart contracts ensure everything is validated and protected.

Bullish for 2025

At the end of the day, we love the tools, but we also love what we can create with them. These innovations might bring us closer to a fully decentralized, transparent, and community-governed ecosystem. A space where we can build, share, and connect in ways the current internet doesn't allow. It’s a shift toward something that’s uniquely onchain. And honestly? I think it’s where the internet is headed.

These are just a few quick notes (there's so much more to say). For more details, check out Stani’s original statement about the new Lens.

xo-b