Web3 Operators Weekly Update (April 11–18)

Web3 isn’t waiting for permission.

Ethereum’s next big leap, Russia’s stablecoin ambitions, and a flood of funding for AI-infused infrastructure are reshaping the future at protocol speed.

Regulatory tides are rising, wallets are multiplying, and cross-chain collabs are redefining what “interoperable” really means.

From executive suites to the dev trenches, the signal is clear: if you're not moving, you're already behind.

C-LEVEL LEADERS

Innovation, Funding & Regulation in Motion

• Ethereum’s Next Leap Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade introduces EIP-7702, a technical improvement that boosts efficiency and cuts gas costs. Expect smoother inter-contract communication and better transaction processing across dApps.

• Russia Pushes for Ruble Stablecoin After the freezing of $30M in USDT-linked wallets, a senior Russian official called for a domestic stablecoin alternative to bypass Western sanctions. This could signal a broader shift toward sovereign stablecoin strategies.

• Big Checks, Bigger Bets Auradine closed a $153M Series C to scale its AI + blockchain infrastructure. Meanwhile, Resolv Labs secured $10M in seed funding for its USR stablecoin and DeFi protocol, backed by Coinbase Ventures and Arrington Capital.

• Cross-Chain Collaboration Dojima and Linera announced a partnership enabling high-speed decentralized apps across L1s and L2s. Interoperability just got a major upgrade.

MARKETING & GROWTH

Onchain Behavior & New Growth Frontiers

• BASE Wallet Growth Signals Rising Engagement BASE network saw a 15% uptick in new wallet creation, pointing to increased user activity and broader adoption, especially among creators and DeFi users.

• AI-Driven Creator Platforms Are Booming SUBBD, a Web3-native AI-powered creator economy platform, crossed $175K shortly after launch. Built for decentralized content monetization, it reflects growing creator migration into Web3 tools.

• Marketing, Reinvented for Web3 From XMTP-based messaging to wallet-targeted campaigns, marketers are increasingly focusing on community sentiment, engagement loops, and token-aligned content strategies.

FINANCE & COMPLIANCE

Stablecoins and Regulation Take Center Stage

• Stablecoins Are Winning the Volume War Stablecoins now account for nearly 47% of crypto transaction volume, up from 37% in January. As market volatility continues, they’re becoming the backbone of payments, trading, and payroll.

• SEC and CFTC Step Up Oversight The SEC’s Crypto Task Force is holding custody-specific hearings, while the CFTC explores regulation of prediction markets. Both agencies are making it clear - compliance is not optional in 2025.

• Big Banks Enter the Stablecoin Race Bank of America, PayPal, and other institutions are exploring stablecoin-backed cross-border solutions, signaling mainstream adoption is no longer theoretical.

HUMAN RESOURCES & TALENT

Remote Teams, Compliance Hires, and Global Talent Flow

• Remote-First is the Default Over 70% of Web3 roles are now remote, as DAOs and protocols compete for global contributors. Flexibility remains a core hiring incentive.

• Compliance Talent Demand Soars A 40% jump in demand for crypto compliance officers highlights the regulatory heat. Teams are scrambling to stay ahead of global standards.

OPERATIONS & INFRASTRUCTURE

Privacy Bridges, DAO Ops & the Web3 Cloud

• Polkadot Eyes Web3 Cloud Dominance Polkadot is building a modular Web3 cloud platform to simplify dApp deployment, pushing toward a more scalable and developer-friendly ecosystem.

• Manta's Privacy Bridge Goes Multi-Chain Mantabridge now enables zero-knowledge transfers between Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Manta, solving one of the biggest headaches in cross-chain asset movement: privacy.

Closing Thoughts

The lines between DeFi, AI, and enterprise-grade infrastructure are rapidly blurring. Whether you're tracking compliance, hiring, marketing, or multi-chain development, Web3’s is moving fast, and getting smarter.

Want more insights like this?