9 Leading Nft-Based Social Networks | Web3 Social Platforms

In this post, I will cover the Top NFT-Centric Social Networks that are changing digital interaction and online content sharing and monetization. These networks use blockchain technology alongside NFTs to ensure users really own their accounts and content.

Learn about them from Lens Protocol to Friend.tech and see how these protocols are paving paths toward decentralized social media.

Key Points & Leading Nft-Based Social Networks List

NFT-Based Social Network	Key Point
Lens Protocol	Decentralized social graph allowing users to own their content and connections as NFTs.
Friend.tech	Social platform where users tokenize access to their private chats via “keys” as NFTs.
DeSo (Decentralized Social)	Blockchain designed specifically for social apps with native NFT and token features.
Showtime	Instagram-like NFT platform focused on art discovery and social sharing.
CyberConnect	Web3 social graph protocol enabling NFT-based identities and interactions.
BitClout (now DeSo)	Early social network that monetized profiles as NFT-like tokens.
Phaver	Web3 social app integrated with Lens Protocol, rewarding users with tokens and NFTs.
Yup	Social curation protocol where users earn tokens for curating content, linked to NFTs.
Nafter	NFT-focused social app for influencers to mint and sell exclusive content.

9 Leading Nft-Based Social Networks

1.Lens Protocol

Lens Protocol is one of the first NFT-based social networks and operates on Polygon Blockchain. The innovation allows users to own content, profiles, and connections as NFTs, creating a user-owned and self-sustaining social graph.

Each user profile is an NFT, and posts, comments, follows are all tagged with relevant tokens which makes users’ social identities portable. On top of Lens, developers can create various social applications which would enhance diversity in Web3–by fostering innovations in social media.

Without centralized control that most platforms have today, Lens creates opportunities for the monetization and growth of creators and communities by enabling them to interact freely. This makes it a primary builder in decentralized networking.

Feature	Description
NFT-Based Profiles	User profiles are minted as NFTs and owned by the users.
Decentralized Social Graph	Interactions like follows, posts, comments are stored on-chain.
Composable Architecture	Developers can build interoperable social apps using Lens data.
Polygon Blockchain	Built on Polygon for fast, low-cost transactions.
Portability	Users can take their social data across Lens-based apps.

2.Friend.tech

Friend.tech is a SocialFi platform launched in August 2023 on Coinbase’s Base network. It allows users to monetize their social influence by selling “Keys” (formerly called shares) associated with their X/Twitter and Telegram chat groups.

By purchasing these Keys, users gain access to invite-only group chats with creators . During the initial days of using Friend.tech, more than 100K users were registered onto the platform whilst generating over $25 million in revenue .

The platform charges a transaction fee between ~5-10%. But, there has been a decline in activity because of concern over phishing , SIM-swap hacks and data leaks.

Feature	Description
Tokenized Access	Users buy “keys” to access private group chats with creators.
Social Monetization	Influencers earn from key sales and trading fees.
Built on Base	Runs on Coinbase’s Layer-2 blockchain.
Simple Onboarding	Connects via Twitter; no crypto knowledge needed.
Revenue Sharing	Friend.tech takes a fee from each key transaction.

3.DeSo (Decentralized Social)

DeSo (Decentralized Social) is a layer-1 blockchain designed for social applications, allowing users to own their profiles, content, NFTs, and even connections on-chain.

Native capabilities such as real-time posts, likes, follows, creator coins, “diamonds” tipping, and minting of social NFTs offer transparent monetization .

This ecosystem supports over 100 apps such as Diamond (Twitter-style), Desofy, Stori, and NFTz allowing seamless porting of social data across platforms .

With support from high-profile investors , DeSo’s goal is the decentralization of social media. On the other hand, users express concerns regarding security lapses like seed-phrase handling as well as monetizing every interaction.

Feature	Description
Layer-1 Blockchain	Custom-built for social media functionality.
Creator Coins	Users can invest in influencers via their coins.
On-Chain Social Actions	All likes, posts, and comments are blockchain-logged.
NFT Marketplace	Built-in features for minting, buying, and selling NFTs.
Tipping & Rewards	Earn “Diamonds” for quality content.

4.Showtime

Showtime is an NFT-centric platform known as the “Instagram for NFTs,” focusing on discovery, creation, and collection of digital art. Showtime operates as a social network that specializes in the discovery, creation and collection of digital art .

Users can mint and share “drops,” which are free digital collectibles like photos, videos, or memes with no gas fees due to integration with Polygon, which powers Ethereum Layer 2s. It was launched March 2021. Creators reward engagement through limited edition “Superfan drops” encouraging fandom growth while collectors earn exclusivity.

This enriches collector experiences and deepens artist-collector relationships . Showtime promotes a vibrant social-first Web3 art community by featuring trending drops and enabling likes, comments, and even wallet linking.

Feature	Description
Instagram-Style Feed	Visual-first feed for sharing digital collectibles.
Free NFT Drops	Users can mint and claim NFTs for free (zero gas fees).
Creator-Fan Interaction	Engage fans with exclusive drops and rewards.
Built on Polygon	Low-fee, scalable minting and sharing.
Superfan Mechanics	Reward your most loyal followers with rare drops.

5.CyberConnect

CyberConnect is a Web3 protocol that enables a social graph for users and developers to have ownership over their digital identities including content and connections on different applications.

Its V3 update added three more features CyberAccount which consists of an ERC-4337 smart account abstraction allowing for simpler user onboarding and gas fluidity, CyberGraph which offers a censorship resistant on-chain social graph, and finally CyberNetwork which is an overly scalable Layer-2 solution with low cost interactions.

Now, CyberConnect has the largest Social Graph in Web3 with over 1.2 million CyberProfiles and 940k active users monthly on apps such as Link3 .

It also facilitates growth in the ecosystem using premium .cyber names, status NFTs (W3ST), and other tools enabling creators to monetizing while communities build interoperable identities place it at the front of decentralized social networking.

Feature	Description
CyberAccount	Smart account abstraction (ERC-4337) for gasless UX.
CyberGraph	Fully decentralized and portable social graph.
CyberNetwork	Layer-2 for cost-efficient, scalable social interactions.
.cyber Domain	Premium usernames for identity and branding.
W3ST Badges	NFT-based social credentials and community rewards.

6.BitClout (now DeSo)

BitClout (later rebranded to DeSo) is a social network launched in early 2021 that operates on blockchain technology and allows users to speculate on people’s reputations using “creator coins.” Each profile, including preset ones for popular figures, comes with a coin that can be traded with BitClout tokens.

Its value can rise or fall based on market activity like trade volume and engagement level. The platform was supported by big VCs which included Sequoia, a16z and Coinbase Ventures, which caused it to reach hundreds of millions in daily trading volumes at the peak .

But there were also controversies regarding profile mints without consent, lack of ways to withdraw funds, and legal complaints like filing fraud allegations on the founder Nader Al-Naji (“Diamondhands”) in July 2024 .

Feature	Description
Creator Coins	Each user profile is tradable via a native token.
Built-in Wallet	Users manage coins and NFTs within BitClout’s ecosystem.
No Permission Profiles	Profiles were created for celebrities without prior approval.
Controversial Launch	Faced criticism for lack of withdrawals and transparency.
Rebranded as DeSo	Became the foundational app of the DeSo blockchain.

7.Phaver

Phaver is a social application in web3, developed on Lens Protocol and Farcaster with the aim of giving users greater control over their social presence. They launched it in May 2022 with Web2-friendly onboarding via email or social logins.

Now, Phaver supports over 250K wallets and sees an average of 50K daily posts with multi-protocol cross-posting support.

Their gamified reputation system called Phaver Cred along with Points grant rewards to genuine contributors, including granting eligibility for token redemption and exclusive benefits through on-chain Phaver-Up NFTs

Feature	Description
Multi-Protocol Support	Integrates Lens, Farcaster, and traditional login.
Gamified Engagement	Users earn points and “Cred” for quality activity.
Mobile-Friendly App	Clean UI, familiar social layout, and ease-of-use.
NFT-Based Badges	On-chain recognition via “Phaver-Up” NFTs.
Reward Conversion	Points are redeemable for tokens and perks.

8.Yup

Yup is a Web3 social media aggregator and curation protocol that brings together content from Lens, Farcaster, Twitter, Mirror, NFTs, POAPs, etc. and transforms them into personalized feeds.

Yup also lets curators share valuable content to earn YUP tokens; more than $1.6 million has been distributed to users including over $300k focused on NFT curation.

Some of the things Yup offers are cross posting to other chains/apps, influence-scored rewards, mobile-first design with wallet integration done seamlessly And multi-app crypto wallet

So yup is still developing and focuses on cross platform social networking ever since thirdweb bought them for enhanced identity systems grounded in decentralization in early 2025

Feature	Description
Curator Economy	Users earn YUP tokens for sharing quality content.
Cross-Platform Aggregator	Combines Lens, Twitter, Farcaster, NFTs, and more.
Influence-Based Rewards	High engagement boosts token earnings.
Web3 Wallet Integration	Seamless interaction with Ethereum wallets.
Thirdweb Acquisition	Now part of Thirdweb to enhance Web3 identity tools.

9.Nafte

Launched in mid 2021, Nafter is one of the first social network and marketplace platforms that utilizies NFTs. It gives users and creators the ability to mint and trade ‘content NFTs’ on web or mobile applications.

Within the application, users can take a picture and NPC it gas free with $NAFT on BSC. Users are able to share, sell, and post the minted NFT without requiring any technical skills.

Jake Paul‘s 888,888 NAFT ($40K+) drop signaled greater influencer participation as did many others increasing Nafter’s user base to over 70K with NFTs totaling to 40K. Some other features like staking pools, ambassador programs make Nafter integrate Instagram-like platforms making monetization via NFTs a possibility.

Feature	Description
NFT Minting for Content	Mint images, videos, or posts as NFTs instantly.
Influencer-Friendly	Designed for creators to monetize directly.
Gas-Free on BSC	Uses Binance Smart Chain for fast, cheap transactions.
Mobile and Web Access	Social-media style interface across devices.
Ambassador & Staking	Community growth via referral and staking programs.

Conclusion

In summary, The top NFT-based social networks are transforming how we interact digitally by allowing users to fully own their content, identity, and relationships.

With Lens, Friend.tech and DeSo creators and communities are empowered within decentralized frameworks that feature monetization options and NFTs supporting value exchange.

As Web3 continues to develop further, these networks are advancing social media towards a future which is more accessible, governed by its users and pays its participants for engagement.

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