2026-01-07 08:26:19

Looking to explore an interesting intersection this year: building an AI-powered application with mainstream appeal, while strategically integrating crypto payment rails into the infrastructure.

The key here is the positioning—not a crypto-native project, but rather a traditional tech product that leverages blockchain's payment capabilities where it makes sense. Think better UX, faster settlement, lower friction.

Have several concepts brewing that could fit this thesis. The opportunity space feels underexplored: most projects go all-in on crypto narrative, but there's actually massive potential in the reverse—solving real user problems first, then quietly powering it with Web3 infrastructure.

If you're an experienced builder interested in exploring this angle, whether on the AI product side, backend infrastructure, or go-to-market strategy—curious to connect and discuss. Looking for co-founders who see the same gap in the market.

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VitalikFanAccount

· 01-10 08:26

This idea is indeed brilliant. The reverse approach is much more popular than the straightforward crypto narrative. --- Basically, it's just Web3 in disguise, but users don't really perceive it. I like this. --- Another one looking for co-founders. Is there really a lack of people in this market? --- AI + payment track sounds like the next hot spot. Waiting for someone to come up with something innovative. --- Want to ask what exactly is the concept? Just talking about reducing friction feels a bit empty. --- This is the way crypto should be. Don't always focus on narrative alone. --- It seems everyone is overpromising. Few can actually deliver. --- Another one looking for co-founders. Is this one reliable? --- Interesting. It's still the same old logic behind it, but the packaging is more appealing.

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MEVictim

· 01-10 02:16

This idea is actually about "specialization," there's no need to shout about Web3 every day. Truly solving user pain points is the real way to go. --- Basically, it's about reverse thinking. Most projects are eager to plaster the crypto label all over themselves, but it's better to focus on building a good product first and see if it can integrate with blockchain. --- It's mainly an execution issue. No matter how good an idea is, if no one can reliably implement it, it's all for nothing. --- AI + crypto hasn't really taken off yet. It seems investors are now tired of pure crypto narratives. --- What about the details? How exactly do you leverage payment rails? Sounds a bit vague. --- Regarding finding a co-founder... the truly innovative builders are probably being headhunted by big companies now. --- I agree with this approach, but it still depends on the data. A good concept isn't hard to come up with; making it work is the real challenge.

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GasFeeVictim

· 01-09 17:19

This idea is indeed brilliant—the reverse operation of the crypto layer cake, focusing on product strength and viewing Web3 as a tool... There's something there. --- Basically, don't run away just because you smell rotten eggs. First, make the product smooth and functional, so you can attract users outside the crypto circle. --- Wait, when you say AI + payment rails, isn't that still stuck with the old problems? How to break through the TPS bottleneck? --- I like this positioning idea, but I wonder if it will just turn into marketing talk once implemented... That’s the nature of the crypto industry. --- I actually think the difficulty isn't on the crypto side, but how to make ordinary users seamlessly access blockchain without feeling it—how to pass the UX hurdle? --- Feels a bit like Stripe x Web3? If they can truly create a payment experience that users don't even perceive, that would be a real gap. --- Hey, for a truly reliable partner, someone who understands product and market is essential. It can't just be those who only know how to shill tokens.

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MemeCurator

· 01-08 13:39

Awesome, this is exactly what I've been wanting to say. Don't keep bragging about Web3 narratives; the real goal is to let crypto payments run quietly in the background, so users don't even realize they're using crypto. That's the only way to survive. --- Honestly, focusing more on deepening product experience is much more reliable than filling the screen with crypto jargon. But you need to find people who truly understand both sides, which is a bit difficult. --- This approach is correct; the crypto native story has already been overplayed. The key is to make ordinary users fall in love with your app—they don't care what technology is used at the payment layer. --- Finding a co-founder... also, like-minded people are really hard to find. Everyone is busy issuing tokens and harvesting profits; few truly want to do this kind of "invisible infrastructure" work. --- This is the kind of work that requires a combination of technical skills, product sense, and market intuition. One or two people simply can't handle it, to be honest.

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SneakyFlashloan

· 01-07 08:56

I like this idea, really. Not pretending to be Web3 with that narrative actually makes more money.

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fork_in_the_road

· 01-07 08:55

I quite agree with this approach, just don't use those marketing buzzwords, really make crypto become infrastructure rather than a story.

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ContractTearjerker

· 01-07 08:54

This idea is indeed good; entering the market in reverse is much more reliable than simply talking about Web3 narratives. To put it simply, focus on creating a good product itself, with payments just being seamlessly integrated, so users don't even notice the existence of crypto. Wait, is the combination of AI + payments really easy to crack? Where exactly are the user friction points? It sounds like a great fundraising story, but can it actually be implemented? I'm a bit curious about what specific problems you want to solve—don't just use blockchain for the sake of using blockchain.

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JustHereForAirdrops

· 01-07 08:54

This idea has actually been tried before, so it feels a bit late to talk about it now... but indeed, most projects just force crypto into the mix, which isn't very interesting. That's a good point, but the real challenge is finding the "where it makes sense" scenario. Right now, everyone lacks this. It's basically just secretly using Web3 for payments. Sounds good, but it depends on whether it can really be implemented. The combination of AI + payments feels like it could easily turn into a pseudo-need... What exactly do you want to do? Honestly, if you can create a crypto product that doesn't look like a typical crypto project, that would be the real winner.

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MetaMaximalist

· 01-07 08:52

ngl this is the play that actually matters. most builders are still doing the crypto theater thing when the real arbitrage is hiding the chain entirely. clean execution tho—UX first, infrastructure invisible. hmu if you're serious about the infrastructure layer.

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TradFiRefugee

· 01-07 08:38

I agree with this approach, but to be honest, most people are still easily fooled by stories in the crypto world. Very few can truly focus on building products. --- The reverse thinking strategy is good, but the difficulty of implementation might be underestimated... Traditional users simply don't care whether the backend is on-chain. --- Crypto payment rails sound promising, but I'm worried it might just become another "using blockchain for the sake of blockchain" pseudo-demand. --- The last sentence is quite interesting; I'm curious to see if anyone can really turn this theory into tangible results. --- I think this direction is correct, but will investors just pass because there's no "Web3" label... that's the real trap. --- Solving real problems > storytelling, that's true, but how do you tell the story to VCs during fundraising? --- It feels a bit like the internet finance scene back in the day; in the end, most became just hype. --- This approach can easily apply for several grants with a slight adjustment, but very few projects actually get built.

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