PHOTO: Deeptech Times
Java has been a cornerstone of enterprise software development for decades, and despite the rise of newer programming languages like Python and Rust, it continues to hold a dominant position in the digital universe.
In an exclusive interview, Dean Vaughan, Vice President for APAC at Azul, shared his perspectives on why Java remains the language of choice for many industries, including fintech, blockchain and the broader Web3 ecosystem.
Why Java still reigns supreme
Vaughan highlighted two key factors that contribute to Java’s sustained dominance: talent availability and platform flexibility. Unlike newer languages, Java boasts a vast pool of skilled engineers, especially in markets like Southeast Asia, where talent shortages can be a significant roadblock for digital transformation.
“The ability to find experienced engineers proficient in Java is a major advantage. Many enterprises might want to explore alternatives, but the lack of readily available talent in newer programming languages can be a bottleneck,” he explained.
Moreover, Java’s “write once, run anywhere” capability ensures seamless portability across different platforms and infrastructure tiers. This makes it a go-to choice for developers who prioritise ease of deployment and operational efficiency. Azul’s 2025 State of Java Survey further underscores this dominance, revealing that nearly 70 per cent of organisations indicate more than half of their applications are built with Java or run on a Java virtual machine (JVM).
Java’s role in financial services and digital payments
One of the fastest-growing applications of Java today is in financial services and digital payments. Vaughan noted that many government agencies and enterprises that were not traditionally part of the financial ecosystem are now dealing with increasing digital transactions.
As a result, they face similar challenges to banks and fintech firms—namely, transaction speed and performance optimisation.
“Organisations that never considered themselves as financial services providers are now embedded in digital payments. This creates transaction bottlenecks, which Azul helps address by optimising Java performance,” he said.
Azul’s Prime platform, an optimised Java runtime, has been widely adopted by stock exchanges, trading firms and crypto exchanges. Vaughan explained that for high-frequency trading and real-time transactions, even a fractional improvement in Java’s processing speed can result in significant financial gains.
Java in blockchain and Web3 applications
While blockchain and Web3 applications are still in their early stages of widespread enterprise adoption, Java’s role in these domains is growing. Vaughan noted that crypto exchanges and DeFi platforms are turning to Azul’s high-performance Java to enhance transaction efficiency.
“In blockchain, speed is critical. Transactions must be verified and recorded quickly, and any latency can impact trading efficiency. Many crypto exchanges rely on Azul’s Java to ensure faster performance without additional infrastructure costs,” he said.
He also pointed out an often-overlooked advantage—sustainability. The energy consumption of blockchain networks has been a major point of criticism. Optimising Java reduces the need for excessive computing power, thereby lowering energy consumption and making blockchain applications more environmentally friendly.
The shift away from Oracle Java and cloud cost challenges
Despite Java’s prominence, organisations are increasingly seeking alternatives to Oracle Java due to rising costs and restrictive licensing policies.
The Azul 2025 State of Java Survey found that 88 per cent of enterprises are considering migrating away from Oracle Java, a sharp increase from 72 per cent in 2023. Cost, preference for open-source alternatives, and Oracle’s pricing model were the top factors driving this shift.
Additionally, nearly two-thirds of organisations report that Java workloads account for over 50 per cent of their cloud compute costs. However, 71 per cent of companies revealed they are paying for more than 20 per cent unused cloud compute capacity, indicating inefficient resource allocation. In response, businesses are leveraging high-performance JDKs, such as Azul’s, to optimise performance and reduce cloud expenses.
Java powers enterprise AI development
Java’s growing role in AI is another key trend. According to Azul’s survey, 50 per cent of organisations are now using Java to build AI functionality, surpassing both Python and JavaScript for AI development among Java-centric enterprises. However, AI adoption brings infrastructure implications, with 72 per cent of organisations indicating they will need to increase compute capacity to support Java applications with AI capabilities.
Vaughan highlighted that AI-driven analytics require significant backend processing power, making Java’s robust ecosystem of libraries and middleware solutions, such as Apache Kafka and Spark, invaluable for scaling AI applications.
Despite ongoing technological shifts, Java’s dominance remains unshaken, largely due to its stability, broad developer ecosystem and continuous performance enhancements. Vaughan remains confident that Java will continue to evolve alongside emerging technologies like AI and Web3.
“We’re focused on making Java faster, more efficient, and adaptable to future enterprise needs. Whether it’s blockchain, AI or digital payments, Java is and will remain a foundational technology,” he concluded.
As businesses navigate the complexities of an increasingly digital and decentralised world, Java’s adaptability ensures that it will continue to be a critical tool in the enterprise software landscape.
Java’s relevance in Web3
Java’s relevance in the Web3 world isn’t just holding steady—it’s thriving, adapting like a language that refuses to be left behind. Web3, with its focus on decentralisation, blockchain, and smart contracts, might seem like the domain of newer players like Solidity or Rust, but Java’s got a few tricks up its sleeve that keep it in the game.
First off, Java’s enterprise backbone is a big deal. It’s been a titan in backend systems, banking, and large-scale applications for decades—think Android apps, financial platforms, and server-side infrastructure. That’s not going away in Web3. Companies building decentralised apps (dApps) or integrating blockchain often still rely on Java for the heavy lifting outside the smart contracts themselves. It’s the glue connecting Web3 frontends to robust, battle-tested backends.
Then there’s its ecosystem. Libraries like Web3j let Java developers interact with Ethereum blockchains effortlessly—writing, deploying and managing smart contracts without needing to abandon their comfort zone. Hyperledger Fabric, a big name in enterprise blockchain, leans heavily on Java too. These tools mean Java’s not just tagging along; it’s a first-class citizen in Web3 development.
That said, it’s not all roses. Java’s verbosity can feel clunky next to sleek, Web3-native languages like Solidity for smart contracts or JavaScript for dApp frontends. And while it’s adaptable, it’s not the first choice for blockchain core development—Rust and Go often win there for their speed and efficiency.
Still, Java’s not fading. It’s evolving—unstoppable, even—because it’s got the weight of a massive community, corporate adoption and a knack for reinventing itself. In the Web3 world, it’s less about replacing the shiny new toys and more about powering the infrastructure they sit on. Relevant? Absolutely. It’s just playing a different role than the crypto hype might suggest.
