Messari Says Decentralized Social Platforms Enter New Reset Phase

The decentralized social world is shifting fast. According to Messari researcher AJC, several major DeSoc projects have changed direction within days. First, Base App pivoted from a social first model to a trading focused app. Then, Lens Protocol handed over control to Mask Network. Soon after, Farcaster was acquired by its own infrastructure provider, Neynar.

吴说获悉，据 Messari 研究员 AJC 统计，主要的去中心化社交都在经历转型或处于困境，包括 Base app 宣布从社区第一转向交易、Lens 被 Mask Network 收购和 Farcaster 被 Neynar 收购。同时，其认为现在可能是在社交网络与加密货币交叉口建设的好时机。https://t.co/FZZ4dOFM5d

— 吴说区块链 (@wublockchain12) January 22, 2026

These moves all happened between January 14 and January 21. As a result, many in the crypto community now believe the first wave of decentralized social is ending. Or at least, it is hitting a major reset. The dream of a “decentralized Twitter” is no longer moving in a straight line.

Big projects take new paths

Base App made the first big move. The app runs on Coinbase’s Base chain. It started as a social platform with mini apps and community tools. But now it has shifted to trading. The app now focuses on fast token swaps, meme coin trading, wallet tools and low fee transactions. Social features are no longer the main focus.

Soon after, Lens Protocol made headlines. Aave helped launch Lens handed over stewardship to Mask Network. The original Lens team will stay on as technical advisors. But Aave will now focus fully on its DeFi products.

Then came Farcaster. The protocol was acquired by Neynar. Neynar was Farcaster’s long time API provider and early partner. With the deal, Neynar now controls the protocol contracts, the main app and Clanker. Meanwhile, Farcaster co-founder Dan Romero and key Merkle team members are stepping back. In just one week, three of the biggest DeSoc names changed course.

Why decentralized social is struggling

These moves highlight a deeper problem. Decentralized social platforms still struggle with user growth. They also struggle with keeping users active and most of all, they struggle with making money. Many projects raised large funding rounds. Farcaster alone raised around $180 million. Yet most platforms never moved past the “experiment” stage. Revenue stayed low, costs stayed high and mainstream users never arrived.

Because of this, some teams turned to trading as a fallback model. Social trading looks attractive. But it also puts DeSoc apps in direct competition with DEXs and trading platforms. Community mood has turned sour. Many users joke that “SocialFi is dead.” Others remember the old hype around Lens NFTs and Farcaster mini apps. The excitement is fading and reality is setting in.

A reset could open new doors

Still, not everyone sees this as bad news. AJC from Messari believes this shake up is a bullish signal. Fewer big players mean more room for new builders. He says now may be the best time to build hybrid social crypto tools. Some builders agree. They say the next wave should focus on real communication, not speculation. Others believe DeSoc may survive only as a niche.

There is also a chance that leaner teams like Neynar and Mask Network can run these protocols better. They know the tech, the community and they know the limits. Currently, the big dream of a decentralized social network is on pause. But sometimes, a reset is exactly what an industry needs. The first chapter may be closing. The second one is waiting to be written.