DApps: The Future of Decentralised Apps in Web3

For years, the clamour for decentralised applications (dApps) has reached a fever pitch.

The hacks, the security breaches, and the problematic security in Web2 have spooked people to look longingly at the promises of a decentralised future where no one person is in control of important data.

That's why people cannot shut up about Web3 blockchain—or dApps.

dApps are software applications that run on blockchain networks rather than centralised servers. 

It uses smart contracts and decentralised protocols. dApps offer transparency, security, and user autonomy—fundamentally rethinking how digital platforms operate.  

From finance to gaming, dApps and other Web3 technologies powered by the blockchain, are quietly changing the digital world. They offer transparency, security, and user control in ways that traditional platforms cannot match.

According to DappRadar, more than 17.2 million people were actively using dApps daily by 2023. In contrast, this number was only 2.37 million the year before, which shows strong adoption.

Aside from adoption, more developers are building dApps to give users options—there are over 4,000 dApps today across different industries.

Yet, as this article shows, the evolution of dApps is just starting. 

The Current State of dApps

People use dApps to make apps in finance, gaming, and even trading digital art. Aave, a decentralised finance app, Axie Infinity, a blockchain gaming app, and OpenSea, a platform for selling NFTs are some of the most popular dApps in the world.

In finance, dApps help users lend, borrow, or trade money without banks or middlemen. In gaming, they let players truly own in-game items. They also power NFTs—unique digital assets that are changing how we think about ownership online.  

But dApps are not perfect yet. They have problems. Many dApps are slow because blockchains can only handle a few transactions at a time. 

This makes them hard to use when too many people join. The apps are also tricky for beginners. Most dApps ask users to set up digital wallets and manage their own security, which can be confusing.  

Despite these challenges, dApps are growing. More developers are building them. More people are starting to use them. It’s clear that dApps are here to stay, even if they’re not quite ready for everyone yet.

Emerging Trends Shaping dApps

Decentralised applications (dApps) are getting smarter and faster. New trends are helping them solve old problems. 

Multi-chain Technology 

One big trend is multi-chain technology.

Right now, most dApps run on one blockchain, like Ethereum. But multi-chain solutions let dApps work across different blockchains. This makes them faster, cheaper, and easier to use.  

Layer-2 Scaling 

Another trend is layer-2 scaling. Layer-2 solutions, like Polygon, sit on top of blockchains to speed up transactions. They help dApps handle more users without slowing down. This means people can use dApps without long waits or high fees.  

AI and IoT Application in dApps

We’re also seeing dApps connect with other technologies, like artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). AI can help dApps make smarter decisions, while IoT connects dApps to real-world devices.  

These trends are making dApps better for users. They’re easier to use, faster to run, and more connected than ever before. This is a big step towards a future where dApps are part of people's everyday lives.

What is Causing High Adoption of dApps?

More people and businesses are starting to pay attention to decentralised applications (dApps). Earlier in this article, we said there were 17.2 million active dApp users in 2023. In 2024, that number has crossed 30 million, as of Q3 2024.

So why the heck are people using dApps?

More developers and innovators are using blockchain technology to build dApps that solve real-world problems. Called the “blockchain fusion,” these developers are riding on the popularity of blockchain technology to bring users into the ecosystem.

High Trust in Blockchain 

Blockchain has a face value of trust, high security, and autonomy. So it's not difficult to see why people are finding the dApps trend useful.

Autonomy 

Another reason is that dApps give users more control. People can manage their data, assets, or money without relying on big companies. For businesses, this means saving costs and cutting out middlemen.  

Regulation 

Another driver is regulatory clarity. As governments start to create clear rules around blockchain and digital assets, more companies feel confident using dApps. This creates trust and opens the door for wider adoption.  

Developers’ Ease of Use

Improved developer tools are also helping. Building dApps used to be hard, but now there are better tools, frameworks, and resources. This makes it easier for developers to create user-friendly and reliable apps.  

Finally, there’s growing interest from big industries. Financial services, gaming, and even supply chains are exploring how dApps can solve real problems. With more businesses joining in, dApps are slowly becoming a key part of the digital world.

The Role of Blockchain Evolution in dApps

The future of dApps depends on how blockchains improve. Right now, blockchains like Ethereum are leading the way. 

But they are working to get better. For example, upgrades like Ethereum 2.0 are solving problems like slow speeds and high costs. 

This makes it easier for dApps to scale and serve more people.

Modular Blockchains

Another big change is the rise of modular blockchains. Instead of one blockchain doing everything, modular blockchains break tasks into smaller parts. 

Some focus on security, others on speed or data storage. This makes them faster and more efficient for dApps to use.  

App-specific Blockchains

We’re also seeing the growth of app-specific blockchains. These blockchains are built for one purpose or app. They give developers more control, better performance, and a smoother experience for users.  

As blockchains evolve, dApps will become faster, cheaper, and easier to use. 

This will push them closer to mainstream adoption and open new opportunities for innovation.

Potential Roadblocks for dApps

Even with all the growth, decentralised applications (dApps) still face challenges. 

Regulatory Uncertainty 

One big problem is still regulation. 

While countries like Malta, Estonia, Singapore, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Georgia, United States, Brazil, and Switzerland—which was the first to do so—have enacted legal regulations for blockchain, other governments are still figuring it out.

Until there are clear and fair rules, dApps may struggle to gain trust and mainstream acceptance in these regions facing regulatory uncertainty.

High Competition

Another issue is competition from traditional, centralised apps. Many people are used to apps like Facebook or WhatsApp, which are easy to use and well-known. For dApps to win over users, they’ll need to be just as simple and reliable.  

Security Doubts and Lack of Control

There are also concerns about security. While blockchain is known for being secure, dApps are still vulnerable to hacks, especially if users don’t take care of their private keys. This puts people off using dApps for important tasks like managing money or storing valuable items.  

Scalability 

Finally, there’s the challenge of scalability. Even with improvements like layer-2 solutions, dApps can still slow down when lots of users join at once. This needs to be solved for dApps to work at a global scale.  

These roadblocks may slow things down, but they are not impossible to fix. With time, the right solutions will help dApps reach their full potential.

The Future Outlook 

The future of decentralised applications (dApps) looks bright. As more people and businesses see the benefits, dApps will become a bigger part of our digital lives. 

Adjacent Industries Will Adopt dApps

We’ll see mainstream adoption in finance, healthcare, and entertainment industries. People will use dApps for everyday tasks, just like they use social media or online banking today.  

In the next few years, new industries will open up for dApps. 

For example, dApps that track goods from start to finish could revolutionise supply chain management. 

Voting systems might become more secure and transparent through decentralisation. 

Even social media platforms could shift to dApp-based models, giving users more control over their data.  

As dApps grow, they will be part of a bigger shift towards a decentralised internet—often called Web3. 

In Web3, users control their data, not big companies. This could change everything, from how we interact online to how businesses operate.  

Wrapping Up 

Decentralised applications (dApps) are still in their early days, but their potential is enormous. 

Their steady growth and adoption over the past few years is undeniable.

With problem-solving innovators tackling real-world problems with blockchain technology, and building d(Apps) that are easy to use, more people will definitely use them. Sometimes, without knowing that they're Web3 technology.

Blockchain is still a new technology today. We've not even scratched the surface of the extent of what we can build on it.