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Mask Network Takes Helm of Lens: A New Era for Decentralized Social

In a significant move for the realm of decentralized social networking, Mask Network has announced that it will assume stewardship of Lens, marking a crucial shift from infrastructure to consumer adoption. This transition indicates a pivotal moment in the evolution of decentralized social applications, where the focus will now be on building consumer-ready products.

The Shift in Focus

For the past three years, Lens has demonstrated that user-owned decentralized social networks can operate effectively on a scalable and open infrastructure. With this solid foundation now established, Mask Network aims to steer Lens towards a phase where practical applications for everyday users are emphasized, moving away from purely protocol discussions. Described as the 'Tencent of Web3', Mask’s responsibility under MaskDAO will center on creating easy-to-use applications that bring decentralized social experiences to the forefront.

Founded in 2017 by Suji Yan, Mask has a rich history of crafting decentralized applications developed for everyday users. The company has a commendable track record of integrating Web2 and Web3 technologies, evidenced through products like Orb and Firefly. Furthermore, its affiliation with Mastodon and a suite of significant decentralized social applications positions Mask ideally to lead this next phase for Lens.

Insights from Leadership

Suji Yan, the founder of Mask, articulated the mission of making decentralized social platforms more accessible and intuitive for users. He emphasized the necessity for Lens to transition from an infrastructure-based perspective to a product-driven approach, which is crucial for mass adoption.

Avara, the previously leading entity of Lens, will continue to provide advisory support. According to Stani Kulechov, Avara's CEO, Lens has successfully proven that decentralized social networks can thrive on open infrastructure, thus paving the way for Mask’s leadership to amplify consumer adoption.

Road Ahead for Lens Ecosystem

With Mask at the helm, the strategic execution of building consumer-grade products will be the primary focus moving forward. This entails emphasizing product design, usability, and performance, which are essential for popularizing decentralized social networks among broader audiences. Developers and creators will still find Lens to be open, permissionless, and adaptable, with Aave Labs continuing to uphold high standards of governance within the ecosystem.

The user experience is expected to evolve significantly, with upcoming applications being designed to feel familiar and culturally relevant while ensuring user control over identity and ownership. The foundation that Lens has established is poised to shift towards creating experiences that resonate with everyday users.

Unveiling Products of the Future

Already, the transition from infrastructure to consumer applications is visible in projects like Orb, a Web3-native social application integrated with Lens and part of the MaskDAO ecosystem. Orb emphasizes culture, creativity, and community ownership — making it a prototype of what is anticipated in this new phase. As of early 2025, Orb boasted over 50,000 monthly users, driving engagement through its innovative creator-focused features.

Moreover, by partnering with significant projects, Orb is setting a standard for user experience within the decentralized framework. Vitalik Buterin, a prominent figure in the crypto community, has praised Firefly for its superior UX, underscoring the viability of user-friendly decentralized products. Kimmo Sirén, the founder of Orb, articulated that Lens has laid the groundwork and now, through MaskDAO, there is an opportunity to translate culture and ownership onto the blockchain effectively.

With the transition to this next chapter, Lens continues to embody the principle that social networks are best owned and managed by their users. From a robust protocol to a comprehensive ecosystem to a dedicated chain, Lens is pushing for user-owned, programmable social systems. Mask’s stewardship now shifts the paradigm from merely validating concepts to delivering practical solutions that allow decentralized identity, ownership, and creator-first economics to permeate daily digital interactions.

Conclusion

As Mask Network takes the reins of developments within Lens, the focus is clear: to guide decentralized social from foundational infrastructure to innovative practical applications. With an emphasis on user-engagement and real-world applicability, the collaboration aims to redefine social networks for the contemporary user, making decentralized social not just a possibility, but a lived reality.