I. Web3 Is Undergoing a Quiet Shift

Looking back at the trajectory of Web3 over the past few years, a clear trend emerges:

The volume of discussion has decreased, while the pace of building has increased.

In its early stage, the industry resembled a “narrative competition” — New concepts emerged continuously, new terminology appeared rapidly, market sentiment ignited quickly and cooled just as fast.

As the market matures — particularly amid tightening global macro conditions and increasingly defined regulatory frameworks — Web3 is experiencing a quiet yet profound shift:

From storytelling to system building, From chasing trends to constructing structures.

This transformation may not be highly visible, but it will determine the industry’s next phase.

II. The Inevitable Transition from Technological Idealism to Economic Reality

At its core, Web3 originated as a technological ideal: Decentralization, open collaboration, and the free flow of value.

Yet any technological ideal must ultimately confront economic realities:

Who is using it? How frequently is it used? Does it form stable behavior patterns? Does it generate sustainable value?

As these questions are repeatedly raised, the industry has gradually recognized:

On-chain technological innovation alone is insufficient to sustain a long-term ecosystem.

What ultimately determines a project’s viability is whether it can integrate into the real economy and form a stable operational structure.

III. Why Is Payment Being Revalued?

Among various Web3 application directions, payment was once considered a track with limited imagination.

The reason is straightforward: Payment is not flashy, not novel, and unlikely to generate short-term excitement.

However, as the industry returns to rational development, the value of payment is being reassessed.

Because:

Payment is the starting point of all economic activity; Payment inherently connects to the real world; Payment behavior is high-frequency, essential, and quantifiable.

Unlike one-off on-chain interactions, once a payment system is established, a project effectively enters real economic circulation.

IV. Payment Is Not Just a Function, but a Structural Entry Point

Traditionally, payment has been viewed as a functional module — Used to complete transfers, settlement, or clearing.

Within the Web3 context, however, its significance is evolving.

When a payment system begins to support the following capabilities, it becomes more than a tool — it becomes a structural gateway:

The accumulation of user identity; The aggregation of consumption data; The formation of behavioral credit; The extension of financial services.

In other words, payment is becoming a critical interface between Web3 and the real economy.

V. From Incentive-Driven to Behavior-Driven Structural Upgrading

Early Web3 projects widely relied on incentive models to stimulate participation — a necessary approach in the industry’s initial phase.

Over time, however, the marginal effectiveness of such incentives has declined:

When incentives stop, users leave; Behavior becomes distorted, and so does data; Systems struggle to operate independently.

In contrast, systems structured around payment and consumption follow a different logic:

Users do not engage for rewards, But because everyday life requires payment.

Each consumption behavior reflects genuine demand; Each payment represents a natural release of system value.

VI. What Are the Long-Term Advantages of Structural Projects?

Compared to short-cycle projects, structural initiatives often exhibit the following characteristics:

A relatively slower growth pace, but greater stability; User stickiness rooted in real usage; Data value that accumulates over time; The ability to expand sustainably within compliance frameworks.

Such projects do not pursue explosive narratives, but instead enhance systemic resilience through real-world operation.

VII. The Industry Is Entering an Era of System Capability Competition

As traffic-driven growth diminishes, the nature of Web3 competition is changing:

It is no longer about who tells the best story, But about who can build a system capable of long-term operation.

Payment, consumption, account systems, and data governance — these seemingly fundamental modules — are becoming key determinants of a project’s upper boundary.

Conclusion

The next phase of Web3 may be less noisy, but it may be more grounded.

When payment begins to carry structural value, When systems connect with the real economy, Projects designed for the long term Are quietly building their own foundations for sustainability.