Remote work has long been associated with Web3.
Global teams, asynchronous communication, and hiring the best talent regardless of location became defining characteristics of the industry. For many startups, being remote-first wasn’t just a perk, it was part of their identity.
But recently, we’ve noticed a growing number of Web3 companies introducing hybrid or fully on-site working models.
To understand who, we asked our LinkedIn audience a simple question:
Why do you think so many Web3 startups are pushing for on-site hiring?
The results were interesting.
Better collaboration – 51%
Faster execution – 19%
Stronger company culture – 19%
Greater accountability – 11%
What stands out most is that over half of respondents believe collaboration is the biggest driver behind this shift. Which isn’t surprising.
Early-stage startups move quickly. Product ideas change, priorities evolve, and problems often need solving in real time. While remote working has made it possible to build exceptional distributed teams, there’s an argument that some conversations simply happen more naturally when people are together.
A quick discussion at someone’s desk can replace multiple Slack messages, scheduled meetings, and lengthy email threads. Decisions can be made faster, and teams can often iterate more quickly.
It’s not necessarily about working harder. It’s about reducing friction.
The second and third most popular answers, faster execution and stronger company culture, also tell an interesting story.
For founders building companies from the ground up, culture isn’t something that appears overnight. It’s created through shared experiences, collaboration, and relationships. Those moments can happen remotely, but many leaders believe they’re easier to build when people spend time together.
This is especially relevant for businesses in their early stages.
When a company has ten or twenty employees, every new hire has a significant impact on the culture that’s being created. Bringing people together more regularly can help establish ways of working, improve communication, and create stronger alignment around the company’s goals.
Interestingly, accountability received the fewest votes.
That suggests the conversation may be moving away from the idea that people need to be in the office to stay productive. Instead, many businesses appear to be viewing office time as a way to improve collaboration and execution rather than simply monitoring performance.
That distinction matters.
For years, the debate around remote versus office working has often been framed around productivity. Today, the conversation feels more nuanced.
It’s becoming less about where people work and more about which environment gives teams the best chance of succeeding.
Of course, this doesn’t mean remote work is disappearing.
One of Web3’s greatest strengths has always been its ability to access talent globally. Many of the industry’s best teams remain distributed across multiple countries and time zones, allowing businesses to hire the right people rather than simply the closest ones.
That competitive advantage isn’t going away.
Instead, we’re beginning to see companies become more intentional about when being together creates value. Some are adopting hybrid models. Others are bringing teams together for planning sessions, product sprints, or key milestones while remaining flexible the rest of the time.
Rather than choosing between remote and on-site, many are trying to find the right balance. Looking ahead, it’s unlikely there will be a one-size-fits-all approach.
A protocol with contributors across five continents will have very different needs from an early-stage AI or Web3 startup building its first product.
What seems clear, however, is that the conversation is evolving. The future of work in Web3 may not be fully remote or fully office-based.
It may be about giving teams the flexibility to work globally while recognising that, at certain stages of growth, being in the same room can still be one of the biggest competitive advantages a company has.
