Web3 wasn’t designed for humans at scale; it was built for machines. Its complexity has limited its adoption, but the “Post Web” stack is taking shape with AI agents emerging as autonomous economic actors. Smart contracts, decentralized networks, and verifiable computation will remain. But now they are being optimized for AI-driven execution, coordination, and intent-based automation. The question isn’t whether it’s happening but how fast we need to adapt. For the past decade, we have been beta-testing decentralized systems and applications. While millions of people engage with blockchain networks, DeFi protocols, and decentralized applications (dApps), the reality is that Web3 remains vastly underutilized. Despite approximately 10% of the world allegedly owning crypto, only a fraction of these holders actively use decentralized applications as a real alternative to Web2 or centralized platforms. This disconnect isn’t due to a lack of capability in Web3 technology, but rather its usability challenges and inherent complexity. In hindsight, Web3 was never designed for human users at scale. It was designed for machines. Now, with AI agents emerging as autonomous economic actors, the sleeping giant of Web3 functionality is waking up. The “Post Web” — a term we coined at Outlier Ventures — creates a world where agents execute tasks, manage assets, and transact on our behalf. Every component of the Web3 stack will be repurposed. Once hindered by complexity, the infrastructure built for a decentralized world is now ideally suited for an internet optimized for machines. AI agents will not just use Web3. They will unlock all of its potential. The Giant Awakens Web3 has been misunderstood. Many expected it to be a more decentralized version of Web2, where users own their assets, participate in governance, and interact with permissionless applications. In practice, Web3 has revolutionized back-end systems. As yet, its technology remains too complex for the average user to handle. Smart contracts, self-custody, and bridging across chains, require time, effort, and technical understanding that most people simply don’t have. This is where AI agents change everything. Unlike humans, agents thrive in complexity. They can process vast amounts of information, automate intricate workflows, and operate seamlessly across decentralized networks. While human users struggle with onboarding, agents can directly integrate with smart contracts, optimize for efficiency, and execute transactions without friction. For the first time, Web3 will have users who can fully leverage its capabilities. AI agents will seamlessly interact with decentralized infrastructure, allowing Web3 to operate at the scale it was always meant to.
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