What does Web3 mean? 🤔🚀
You often hear the word Web. The internet we know today, or what is called Web2, is built on a simple idea: centralized platforms controlled by major companies like Google and Meta. These companies provide us with great services, but in return, they own and control our personal data, thus controlling our online experience.
This is where Web3 comes into play, the next generation of the internet that seeks to reshape this relationship. Simply put, Web3 is an internet built on blockchain technology, making it decentralized, transparent, and giving users complete control over their data and digital assets.
From Web1 to Web3: The Evolution Journey of the Internet
To understand the importance of Web3, it is helpful to look at the history of the internet:
Web1 (Read-Only Internet): Pages were static and content was one-directional. You could only read information without interacting with it.
Web2 (Social Internet): This is what we use today. You can interact and share through social media platforms, but your data remains the property of the companies that manage these platforms.
Web3 (Decentralized Internet): It is the generation that combines interaction and sharing, with the addition of a new and important element: true ownership. Here, you not only share but also own your assets and digital data on the network.
The Key Features of Web3
The core characteristics of Web3 are what distinguish it and make it important for the future:
Decentralization: There is no single entity or company that controls the network. Data and transactions are distributed across a network of devices around the world, reducing the risks of censorship and control.
Transparency: Thanks to blockchain technology, all transactions are recorded and available to everyone publicly and transparently.
True Ownership: Your digital assets, such as NFTs or cryptocurrencies, are stored in a private digital wallet (like Metamask), meaning you own them completely and no entity can take them from you.
Direct Payments: Financial transactions can be made using cryptocurrencies directly, without the need for intermediaries like banks.
The Future of Web3
Web3 is still in its early stages, but its applications have already begun to emerge. From decentralized trading platforms like Uniswap to NFT marketplaces like OpenSea, and even games that give players true ownership of their in-game assets, all these examples point to a major shift ahead.
Ultimately, Web3 is not just a new technical term; it is a vision for a future where the internet is truly an empowering tool, putting power back into the hands of the user.