Hey, did you know the number of blockchain developers has dropped by 25% since 2022? And the industry is becoming more centralized.

Wait, what? Isn’t blockchain supposed to be all about decentralization? How’s it becoming centralized?

Good point! But here’s the thing: fewer new developers are entering the space, and experienced developers are doing most of the work now.

So, experienced developers are taking over? Why aren’t new people joining?

A couple of reasons. First, blockchain projects are becoming more technical and complex, which makes it harder for beginners to get started. Plus, market volatility, especially after the FTX collapse, scared some people away.

Oh, that makes sense. But isn’t it a good thing that experienced people are sticking around?

It is, in a way. Established developers bring stability and expertise, but it also has downsides. If only a small group of experts dominate, it could limit new ideas and diversity in the space.

Kind of like when only a few big companies control an industry?

Exactly. It could create risks, like centralizing decision-making or stifling creativity. Francesco Andreolí from Consensys even said it might lead to a ‘homogenization of innovation.’

Wow, that sounds bad. What can be done to fix this?

Some experts suggest making blockchain development more beginner-friendly with better tools, mentorship, and education. For example, building easier environments, like pre-configured setups, could help newcomers.

That sounds smart. Are there any examples of chains doing this?

Solana is a good example. It’s attracting lots of new developers, especially for low-fee use cases like NFTs and meme coins. Its developer base grew by 83% in 2024.

Wow, that’s impressive. But isn’t Ethereum still the biggest blockchain for developers?

Yes, Ethereum remains the largest ecosystem, especially for DeFi. But other chains like Solana and even Coinbase’s Base are gaining momentum. For instance, Base handles 97% of NFT minting volume in the Ethereum ecosystem.

It sounds like developers are spreading out across chains more than before.

Exactly. In 2015, fewer than 10% of developers worked on multiple chains. Now, one in three developers works across different blockchains. This cross-chain growth is encouraging collaboration.

So, even though fewer people are entering, there’s still hope for innovation if the barriers are lowered?

Absolutely. With better tools and a more inclusive environment, the next wave of developers could bring fresh ideas and keep blockchain innovation alive.