This article is going to explain what WalletConnect is and why it has become such a popular staple featured within many of the leading crypto wallets on the market.

Decentralized applications (DApps) and DeFi have become increasingly popular in the industry and are foundational cornerstones in crypto. In order to use DApps and DeFi, users need a secure way to connect their crypto wallets to these platforms and access the multitude of benefits and products available. That is where WalletConnect comes in.

WalletConnect Key Features:

• Secure Connections: Private keys remain securely stored in the user’s wallet.

• Encrypted communication: Connections between wallets and dApps are encrypted with Transport Layer Security (TLS) and end-to-end encryption.

• Broad Compatibility: Supports over 500 wallet applications and more than 150 blockchain networks.

• Access to dApps: Seamless connection to a wide range of dApps, including DeFi platforms and NFT marketplaces.

• Cross-Device Convenience: Allows connections between desktop browsers and mobile wallets via QR codes.

• User Control: Requires explicit user approval for every transaction.

• Session Management: Users can view and disconnect from active sessions in their wallets.

What is WalletConnect?

WalletConnect is an open-source protocol that lets users connect crypto wallets to decentralized apps (dApps) across hundreds of blockchains. When you visit a dApp like Uniswap and click “Connect Wallet,” WalletConnect shows you a QR code or link. You scan it using a mobile wallet like MetaMask or Trust Wallet, and the two connect securely without needing a browser extension or private key input.

It is an open-source connectivity protocol with over 500 wallet applications integrated, supporting over 150 blockchain networks and 7,000 dApps. WalletConnect uses encrypted QR codes or deep linking to establish a connection between a wallet and a dApp. It was launched in 2018 by Pedro Gomes.

WalletConnect ensures that the private keys for a crypto wallet can remain secure while allowing secure and encrypted data communication between a user and the DApp, DEX, or protocol of their choosing.

Originally launched in 2018, the project is now maintained by Reown, the company that rebranded from WalletConnect Inc. in 2024. The protocol is still called WalletConnect, but Reown now also builds a suite of tools that run on top of it, including AppKit, WalletKit, and Notify.

How WalletConnect Works

WalletConnect uses end-to-end encrypted messaging between your wallet and a dApp. The connection is established using a QR code (desktop to mobile) or a deep link (mobile to mobile). Once the session starts, the dApp can send transaction requests to your wallet, which you can approve or reject.

Unlike earlier versions that only supported Ethereum, the newer version of WalletConnect lets you connect to multiple chains in a single session. That means a dApp can ask for access to Ethereum, Polygon, and Arbitrum all at once, and your wallet can show exactly which permissions are being requested. The connection stays live across networks, making it easier to use modern dApps that span multiple blockchains.

To initiate a connection between a user’s wallet and a DApp, the first step is typically for the user to navigate to the DApp of choice and find the option to “connect a wallet”. Below you will see how that looks on the popular Uniswap DEX.

This will generate a QR code that the user can scan with their mobile wallet, linking the DApp with the wallet. This action triggers a Transport Layer Security (TLS) and end-to-end encrypted session between the user’s wallet and the dApp. Once connected, the protocol relays transaction requests from the DApp to the user’s wallet, allowing them to transact with the DApp protocol.

WalletConnect Network

The WalletConnect Network is a decentralized message routing system that powers all connections between wallets and apps. Instead of relying on a single server, the network uses relay, service, and gateway nodes to transmit encrypted messages. These nodes don’t store or read your messages, they simply pass them along.

The long-term plan is to decentralize the network fully. Reown has already started onboarding public service nodes and setting up the infrastructure for other participants to run nodes and help power the system. The idea is to make the network more resilient and community-driven while keeping connections fast and private.

WalletConnect Token (WCT)

The WalletConnect Token (WCT) is the native utility token for the WalletConnect Network. It launched in 2024 on the Optimism network and plays several roles:

• WCT gives token holders a say in how the network evolves, with governance voting built in.

• Node operators can stake WCT to help run infrastructure like relays and service nodes.

• Contributors, developers, and ecosystem partners may receive WCT as rewards for integrating or building on WalletConnect.

• Certain advanced features, such as persistent sessions or real-time notifications, may include network fees in the future, which would be paid in WCT.

Reown has distributed WCT to eligible users and developers through airdrops, but the token launch also led to scam sites pretending to offer fake airdrops. Always make sure you’re using the official WalletConnect or Reown domains before connecting your wallet.

Why Use WalletConnect?

WalletConnect connects crypto holders to the world of DeFi in a decentralized, trustless manner, which is the foundational building block on which cryptocurrency was founded. We will layout the key highlights below.

Secure Connections

When using WalletConnect, private keys are never exposed to the dApps you connect to; instead, they remain securely stored within your wallet.

The Private Key is the critical security feature of any wallet and controls access to all the digital assets within that wallet. Because WalletConnect allows the Private Key to be kept within the wallet and not need to expose it to connect to DApps, this minimizes the chance of a wallet being compromised during interactions with external protocols.

The WalletConnect protocol creates an encrypted connection between the wallet and the dApp, allowing for secure communication without revealing your sensitive information. This method contrasts with some other connection methods, where private keys may be stored or accessed in less secure ways. This approach to security ensures that even if a dApp were to be compromised, your private keys, and therefore your assets, would remain protected.

Access to DeFi and NFTs

WalletConnect provides simple access to a wide range of Decentralized Finance (DeFi) platforms and Non-Fungible Token (NFT) marketplaces. This connectivity allows users to interact with these platforms directly from their wallets without needing to transfer assets or input sensitive information. The protocol simplifies engagement with the decentralized web, whether you are interested in trading tokens on decentralized exchanges like Uniswap or PancakeSwap, participating in staking or yield farming or exploring and purchasing NFTs on platforms like OpenSea.

WalletConnect enables you to engage with numerous dApps across different blockchain networks, all from within the familiar interface of your preferred wallet. This eliminates the need to manage multiple accounts or use different wallets for various platforms.

Cross-Device Ease of Use

WalletConnect’s cross-device compatibility is useful for users who engage with decentralized applications (dApps) on both desktop and mobile devices, allowing users to easily connect dApps on their desktop browser to their mobile wallet by simply scanning a QR code.

This process eliminates the need for browser extensions or logging into multiple accounts, offering a more streamlined user experience. The QR code acts as a bridge between the two devices, facilitating a quick and secure connection without the hassle of manual input. This is especially useful when interacting with complex DeFi platforms or NFT marketplaces on your desktop while keeping your private keys secured with a mobile wallet, which is traditionally considered more secure than a desktop wallet.

Conclusion

WalletConnect offers a secure and convenient method for interacting with decentralized applications (dApps). It serves as a bridge, enabling users to connect their crypto wallets to various platforms. By using WalletConnect, you can access a range of dApps, including decentralized exchanges, DeFi platforms, and NFT marketplaces, allowing for a smooth and secure experience. It enables users to engage confidently with the decentralized web, knowing their assets are secure and their transactions are protected