🪄 Web3 Needs a Backend Too
Crypto may be all about decentralization—but building an actual dApp? That still needs infrastructure.
As millions of users enter the onchain world, the need for “Web3 infrastructure as a service” has exploded.
Just like AWS powered the Web2 boom with compute, storage, and user management, a new wave of platforms is stepping in to support the builders of Web3.
These platforms provide everything from wallet integrations and identity systems to node access, APIs, and storage—effectively becoming the AWS for crypto apps.
🧱 Who’s Powering Web3? A Breakdown of Infra Providers
Here’s a curated table of leading platforms offering wallet infra, backend APIs, identity systems, and developer tools:
| Platform | Wallet Infra | Hosting / Node Access | Identity / Auth | Monetization Model | Notable Users |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coinbase Cloud / Base | ✅ Wallet SDK, WaaS | ✅ Node APIs, Base L2 | ✅ OAuth, KYC | API pricing + on-ramp fees | dYdX, Blackbird |
| Alchemy | ⚠️ Light wallet support | ✅ High-scale node access | ⚠️ Basic auth options | Usage-based billing | OpenSea, Zora |
| WalletConnect Cloud | ✅ Wallet session mgmt | ❌ | ✅ Connect-based auth | Tiered SaaS | MetaMask, Uniswap |
| Magic | ✅ Embedded walletsWallets wallets See Digital Wallets. | ❌ | ✅ Email/social login | Per-user or usage | 1inch, TokenSets |
| Privy | ✅ Smart accounts | ❌ | ✅ Progressive onboarding | API-based | Sound.xyz, Blackbird |
| Thirdweb | ✅ Smart wallets + SDK | ✅ Nodes, storage, NFTs | ✅ Embedded auth | Free + usage tiers | Coinbase Commerce |
| Moralis | ✅ Web3Auth support | ✅ DB + serverless | ✅ Web3 login | Pay-per-call | Animoca Brands |
| Fireblocks | ✅ MPC enterprise wallets | ✅ Full ops APIs | ⚠️ Identity lite | Enterprise SaaS | Revolut, Nubank |
| Particle Network | ✅ Smart wallet infra | ⚠️ Light backend | ✅ Social login | Free tier + usage | Lens, Aavegotchi |
| Sequence | ✅ Frictionless UX wallets | ✅ Metadata + RPC | ✅ Embedded login | App-based pricing | Skyweaver |
🔍 Key Use Cases These Platforms Enable
- 🔐 Embedded Wallets: Let users create wallets via email or social login without seed phrases
- 🧠 Smart Accounts: Account abstraction features (e.g., gasless transactionsTransactions transactions Interactions where value is exchanged for goods or services., session keys)
- 🛠️ Backend Hosting: Access to full Ethereum/RPC nodes without running infra
- 🎯 Identity Layers: OAuth, KYC, or decentralized ID layers for onboarding
- 💬 Developer APIs: Token metadata, events, NFT minting, DeFi integration
- 💸 Payments & Onramps: Turn fiat → crypto conversions into in-app features
💼 Why This Matters
The dream of decentralized apps can’t scale if every team needs to run their own infra stack.
These “Web3 AWS” providers make onboarding, compliance, user experience, and scalability actually achievable.
Most of the crypto apps gaining traction in 2024 and beyond—think Base dApps, Farcaster clients, loyalty payment apps—are being built on these platforms.
🚀 Final Thoughts
The future of crypto isn’t just about L1 vs L2 or DeFi vs NFTs—it’s about the tooling layer that brings Web3 to the masses.
And just like AWS quietly powered the rise of Airbnb, Netflix, and Shopify…
These Web3 infrastructure platforms will power the next generation of decentralized apps we all use daily.
Vibhu Arya is a fintechFintech fintech
Short for financial technology, refers to tech-enabled innovation in financial services. and payments expert with 15+ years of experience simplifying how money moves across digital and retail ecosystems. He’s led strategy and partnerships at Citibank, Adyen, and IKEA, and helped scale fintech startups (Snapdeal, iPaylinks) to $1B+ valuations. Vibhu’s expertise spans cards, crypto, cross-border, and real-time payments. He is the founder of PaymentsPedia.com, where he writes about the future of payments.
📧 vibhu@paymentspedia.com | LinkedIn