As blockchain technology continues to evolve, a surprising challenge is emerging from an unlikely source — the public internet. According to DoubleZero CEO Alex Romero, the internet infrastructure that underpins modern communication is becoming a bottleneck for blockchain performance and scalability.
Speaking at the Global Web3 Summit, Romero addressed the limitations of relying on traditional internet pathways for decentralized applications (dApps), DeFi platforms, and blockchain-based enterprise systems.
“Blockchains were designed for decentralization, security, and resilience,” Romero stated. “But they’re still relying on the same internet that delivers streaming videos and social media posts. That’s not a foundation we can trust for the future of global finance and decentralized infrastructure.”
The Bottleneck Explained
Romero argues that while most blockchain innovation focuses on layer-2 scaling, smart contracts, and interoperability, few are addressing the underlying network dependency. Public internet connections, he notes, are prone to latency, congestion, and potential security risks — all of which can disrupt blockchain performance.
“Even the most advanced blockchain networks experience outages or delays because they rely on an unreliable internet infrastructure,” he said.
A Call for Dedicated Blockchain Networks
To overcome this issue, DoubleZero is advocating for the development of dedicated blockchain communication layers — private, optimized networks that are specifically built to handle decentralized data transmission.
Romero likened this to the early days of banking, when private networks replaced general phone lines to ensure secure financial communication. “If we’re serious about using blockchain to power global finance, identity, and governance, then we need to treat the network layer as mission-critical,” he added.
Security and Speed Are at Stake
In addition to performance issues, Romero warned of serious cybersecurity concerns. “The public internet is vulnerable to DDoS attacks, man-in-the-middle exploits, and packet sniffing. Blockchain nodes and validators shouldn’t be exposed to that,” he said.
He believes that building decentralized network protocols or integrating blockchain with next-gen private internet layers could be the key to unlocking true scalability and reliability.
The Road Ahead
Romero’s comments have sparked renewed discussion among developers, infrastructure providers, and policymakers. As the blockchain ecosystem matures, more stakeholders are starting to recognize that scalability isn’t just about software — it’s about the network too.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the public internet’s limitations pose a significant challenge to blockchain’s future growth and adoption. For blockchain to fulfill its promise of decentralization, security, and global accessibility, it must break free from reliance on conventional internet infrastructure. Dedicated blockchain networks and secure communication layers will be essential to unlocking true scalability, speed, and security. As the industry evolves, addressing this critical bottleneck will determine whether blockchain technology can become the backbone of tomorrow’s digital economy.