Reown, Formerly WalletConnect, Expands to Solana Following $WCT Token Announcement

On September 20, Reown, formerly WalletConnect, announced the launch of its Solana Appkit, a comprehensive developer tooling platform designed to simplify Solana ecosystem development. 

The move promises to amplify Solana connectivity, leveraging a range of essential services that aim to expand the ecosystem. Best known for its expansive EVM network, Reown facilitates over 15M monthly wallet connections across 100+ blockchains.

Solana’s inclusion in Reown’s substantial list of supported chains comes following the network’s  meteoric growth throughout 2024. Reown CEO Jess Houlgrave contends that the Solana Appkit’s launch could spearhead a new wave of applications on the network:

"The Solana ecosystem has stood out since its inception in 2020. Solana instantly drew interest from developers and teams throughout the industry, resulting in some of the biggest and most recognizable projects to date. The launch of the Solana AppKit will act as a catalyst for further growth, the AppKit simplifies building apps and ensures the best experience for end-users. We're excited to see what teams can do with these new tools". - Jess Houlgrave, Reown CEO.

What Can Developers Expect From Reown’s Appkit?

Reown’s Solana Appkit aims to streamline the development process, amplifying application connectivity across the ecosystem. The new tooling platform promises a range of essential features, including:

• WalletConnect Network integration.

• Simplified email and social login - Allowing users to connect to dApps using familiar, Web2 logins.

• Fiat-to-Crypto onramp - Partnering with Coinbase, users can instantly buy over 100 crypto assets directly through Reown-powered apps.

• Token swaps - In collaboration with 1Inch, Reown provides applications with in-app trades at the best available rates.

• Web3 Messaging Notifications - Apps can now send onchain messages directly to user’s wallets.

• Multi-Language support - Reown’s Solana Appkit supports developers building with React, Vue, JavaScript, and Next.js

Reown Attracts Key Launch Partners

Bringing the new Appkit to as many Solana developers, Reown has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the ecosystem. Integral DeFi apps like Jupiter, Solana’s leading aggregator, and Marinade Finance, one of Solana’s original staking providers, have lent their weight behind the launch, with additional support from Drift Protocol, a popular perpetual DEX, and Solayer, the network’s leading restaking protocol.

Drift Protocol co-founder Cindy Leow believes that Reown’s Solana Appkit will facilitate a smoother onboarding process for traders. Championing the toolkit accessibility, Leow expressed excitement at the prospect of a widening ecosystem. 

“At Drift we’re continuously improving the experience for our users. As we expand, we want to see even more blockchain adoption. Integrating Reown’s Solana AppKit marks a milestone for accessibility and usability. We’re looking forward to seeing more apps in the Solana ecosystem leverage the Solana AppKit” - Cindy Leow, Drift Protocol co-founder.

Echoing Leow’s enthusiasm, Backpack CEO Armani Ferrante also demonstrated his support for the Reown Appkit.

“As the entry point for the Solana ecosystem, Backpack wallet team worked closely with the Reown team to integrate the Reown WalletKit on the mobile app end. We’re excited to partner with Reown and improve Solana users' experience. Now, users can easily access Backpack Wallet when they click the WalletConnect button on their favorite dApps.” - Armani Ferrante, Backpack CEO

Alongside Solana’s dramatic surge in user activity throughout 2024, the network has also enjoyed a significant increase in developer activity. According to the Solana 2023 Developer Report the network boasted over 2,500 monthly active developers.

The Reown Solana AppKit is expected to provide Solana’s expansive developer community with an expansive suite of tools, enabling them to create a diverse and accessible range of applications. 

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