In the fast-paced world of blockchain, debates about the future of chain architectures keep popping up. Recently, a tweet from Mert, CEO of Helius Labs and a former Coinbase alum, sparked some interesting thoughts by flipping a popular narrative on its head. He was responding to a post by Flood (@ThinkingUSD), who argued that generalized chains—think big, multi-purpose networks like Ethereum or Solana—don't cut it anymore. Instead, Flood suggested apps would spin up their own dedicated chains (appchains), post data back to a main blockchain, and keep all the value for themselves without sharing.

Mert's take? It's spot on, but backward. Successful appchains won't stay niche; they'll grow into generalized chains. Let's break this down step by step, explaining the jargon along the way for anyone new to crypto.

Understanding Appchains vs. Generalized Chains

First off, what's an appchain? It's a blockchain built specifically for one application or use case, like a trading platform or a game. The idea is to optimize everything for that app—faster speeds, lower costs, and no competition for resources from other projects. On the flip side, generalized chains are like bustling cities: they're designed to host tons of apps, smart contracts, and users all at once. Examples include Solana, Ethereum, Base, BNB Chain, and Arbitrum. These are where most of the action happens because they offer shared infrastructure, liquidity, and network effects.

Flood's point is that apps will flee generalized chains to avoid "paying rent" (fees) and capture more value on their own turf. But Mert counters with real-world evidence and logic.

Evidence from the Crypto Frontlines

Mert starts by pointing to the data: the top-performing blockchains are generalized ones. Solana, for instance, has exploded in popularity thanks to its high throughput and low fees, attracting everything from DeFi protocols to NFT marketplaces. Base (built on Ethereum) and Arbitrum are rollups that scale Ethereum but still operate as generalized layers. Even big players like Circle (behind USDC), Tether (USDT), Stripe, and Coinbase aren't building siloed appchains—they're launching or backing generalized blockchains to tap into broader ecosystems.

Then there's Hyperliquid, a perp DEX (perpetual decentralized exchange, basically a platform for trading futures without expiration dates) that Flood apparently favors. It started as an app-specific chain but is now pivoting to a generalized L1 (Layer 1 blockchain). That's the opposite of ditching generalized chains—it's embracing them to grow.

Mert uses a fun analogy: You don't move from New York City (a generalized chain with high "rent" but tons of opportunities) to a remote spot (an appchain) just to save money. You pay for NYC because of the jobs, networks, and vibes it provides. In blockchain terms, generalized chains offer liquidity, users, and composability— the ability for apps to build on each other seamlessly.

The Logical Path: From Niche to Network

Let's walk through Mert's hypothetical scenario. Suppose an app launches its own chain to cut costs and keep more profits:

• They migrate without losing users or liquidity (a big "if," since history shows this rarely happens smoothly).
• Running their own chain somehow costs less than using an existing one (doubtful when you factor in development time and maintenance).

To grow, the app needs new features, products, or partnerships. They can't stay one-trick ponies forever—think how Amazon started with books but became an everything store. As they expand, other developers notice the user base and liquidity, and start building on top. Boom: the appchain has morphed into a generalized chain.

This isn't just theory. It's how ecosystems evolve. Successful projects attract builders, creating a flywheel of innovation and value.

What This Means for Blockchain Builders and Investors

If you're a dev in web3, this suggests betting on platforms that can scale broadly rather than hyper-specialized ones. Solana's ecosystem, with tools like Helius Labs' RPCs and APIs (helius.dev), is a prime example of how generalized chains foster growth. For investors, keep an eye on chains showing signs of generalization—rising TVL (total value locked), developer activity, and partnerships.

Crypto is still young, and narratives shift quickly. But Mert's thread reminds us: gravity pulls toward generalization because networks thrive on interconnectedness, not isolation.

If you're diving into meme tokens or broader blockchain tech, threads like this highlight why understanding infrastructure matters. It could be the edge you need in spotting the next big thing.