Web 3.0 explained for beginners

Even if you are only casually interested in Bitcoin, you know that it generates a continual stream of jargon. The list goes on and on: DeFi, NFT and tokenomics are just a few to mention. The notion is that blockchain (the tech underneath cryptocurrencies) can be utilised to develop a completely new web is called Web 3.0 .

The software that powers the internet is, of course, constantly evolving. Web 3.0 is unique in that it would include tokens into practically every aspect of online activity, making it more than a little strange. Its proponents argue it may replace corporations with decentralised, internet-based entities governed by software protocols and the votes of token owners.

If you’re sceptical, you’re not alone. There are a lot of people out there who think this technology isn’t ready for prime time. Aside from the fact that officials are preparing to define clearer rules for crypto, it could also be an attempt to avoid regulation at this moment. Overall, Web 3.0 is a concoction of innovative new enterprises, technological utopianism, and financial ingenuity that is hard to categorise.

A basic understanding of how cryptocurrencies work

Bitcoin, the original cryptocurrency, works by recording every transaction in a public database known as a blockchain. It is decentralised because this ledger is maintained not by a single corporation but by a wide network of computers all connected to the internet, the operators of which are rewarded for their efforts with the opportunity to earn additional Bitcoin.

A blockchain, however, may be used for more than just recording digital coin transfers. It can be used to create contracts and to manage how software and apps work.

Web 3.0 applications are frequently based on Ethereum, a platform that, like Bitcoin, pays users who help maintain the network. It has a market capitalization of USD 511 billion. The apps themselves may have linked tokens that not only pay for services but also operate as voting shares that determine the app’s development and even fee structure.

Drawbacks of Web 3.0

Although Web 3.o is sometimes defined in terms of idealistic cooperatives, decentralisation can also be used to disguise businesses with less accountability. Regulators are concerned about some initiatives, including decentralised finance, or DeFi, apps that allow people to lend, borrow, and exchange currencies with one another, frequently without validating users’ identities or undertaking anti-money-laundering checks. Many development teams say they are not liable since they have delegated authority to their users.

There are environmental concerns regarding the massive amount of computer power required by some blockchains, while newer systems may alleviate this.

Also, because so much code is written in all-nighters, software defects and harmful hacker attacks abound. Many projects do not even provide contact information, but they may have online chat groups. If you type incorrectly and send money to the wrong account, it could be lost forever. You won’t be able to address the problem the same way you would if you called a bank’s customer service number.

Also read: Global search interest for “NFT” surpasses “crypto”