Web3 must overcome five major obstacles to become a widely adopted technology.
Written by: Jackie Bona
Translated by: Blockchain Knight
In today's digital world, mobile technology is not just a convenience; it is the lifeline connecting billions of people to the internet.
There are over 8.58 billion mobile phones globally, surpassing the total world population. Smartphones have evolved into essential tools for communication, business, and financial management.
Although Web3 has the potential to transform industries, financial systems, and digital interactions, it is still waiting for its "iPhone moment," a pivotal event that will make a disruptive technology intuitive and accepted by the masses.
So, what is hindering its development?
For Web3 to leap from an emerging technology to a widely adopted one, it must overcome five major obstacles.
1. Lack of Mobile Native Solutions
Despite smartphones being the primary device for billions of users, Web3 applications are largely still confined to desktop environments.
Recent reports show that 92.1% of internet users globally connect via mobile, yet only 8 of the top 100 Web3 Dapps on Dapp Radar offer a mobile-native experience. Why is there such a gap?
This gap is particularly severe in emerging markets, where mobile devices are often the only means of accessing the internet.
For instance, in countries like Vietnam, India, the Philippines, and South Africa, over 70% of adults use mobile devices as their sole means of connecting to the internet.
2. Complex User Interfaces
For the average person, interacting with Web3 applications can be a daunting experience, especially considering the complexities of managing security and digital assets.
It is noteworthy that more than two-thirds of Web2 users use the same password across all their accounts, indicating that mainstream users struggle to meet the unique demands of Web3.
Blockchain, decentralized finance (DeFi), and digital wallets often come with steep learning curves, including security measures like seed phrases or complex keys, making it difficult for people to use these technologies confidently.
While Web3 continues to innovate, its user base has remained limited, with only 220 million active addresses recorded in September this year, a trivial number compared to the billions who frequently interact with Web2 platforms.
The Web3 community has also taken note of this. Nearly a quarter of Web3 users believe that complex user interfaces and complicated onboarding processes are barriers to the mass adoption of Web3.
By focusing on simplifying the user experience, Web3 platforms can create appealing entry points for individuals new to blockchain and decentralized finance.
3. Low Awareness of Web3
Despite Web3's transformative potential, the general public remains relatively unfamiliar with it.
Surveys indicate that only 8% of people are aware of the existence of Web3, and this low awareness is one of the biggest obstacles to achieving mainstream application.
In regions where Web3 could have the most profound impact, such as emerging markets where traditional banking services are underdeveloped or inaccessible, the lack of awareness is particularly problematic.
According to the World Bank, an estimated 1.4 billion people in these regions lack access to financial services.
Web3 has the potential to empower these underserved communities by providing decentralized solutions to long-standing issues like access to credit, high transaction costs, and currency instability.
However, without effective education and outreach, many people remain unaware of how these decentralized technologies can benefit their lives.
4. Digital Divide
In many emerging markets, access to traditional banking and financial services is limited, and mobile technology has become the gateway to the global digital economy.
However, a significant digital divide still exists. United Nations experts are concerned that due to the high costs of upgrading broadband infrastructure and technological backwardness, 2.7 billion people worldwide face the risk of being unable to access the internet.
In countries like Brazil, Turkey, and Vietnam, the adoption rate of crypto assets is growing at an above-average pace, and the demand for digital assets is evident.
However, in these emerging markets, while millions own mobile devices, many respondents cite cost as the reason they cannot own their mobile devices.
5. Stablecoins as Proof of Web3's Real-World Applications
For a long time, Web3's reputation has been associated with speculation and investment, but the recent surge in stablecoin usage indicates that Web3 is shifting towards practical real-world applications.
Stablecoins, as digital assets pegged to traditional currencies like the dollar, provide a stable and accessible means for everyday transactions, savings, and cross-border payments, without the frequent volatility seen in the crypto asset market, achieving a high degree of product-market fit.
This stability attracts many users, especially those seeking digital tools that can meet their everyday financial needs.
In emerging markets where banking services are still limited, stablecoins offer individuals a way to store and transfer value globally, essentially acting as a "bank in their pocket."
Programs that allow users to earn and use stablecoins are helping people understand digital assets, enabling them to use these digital assets meaningfully in their daily lives.
Through stablecoins, Web3 demonstrates how digital assets can provide value beyond speculation, promoting financial empowerment and stability.
The increase in stablecoin adoption indicates that people's demand for Web3 is not just for high-risk returns; they are also looking for reliable digital tools to support their financial lives.
By emphasizing stablecoins and other practical applications, Web3 can shift from its speculative image to a system that promotes inclusivity, ultimately broadening its appeal and driving further adoption.
6. The Way Forward: Embracing Mobile to Realize Web3's Future
Although Web3 is on the brink of fundamentally changing global industries, financial systems, and digital interactions, its path to mainstream application is still hindered by some key challenges.
The core of overcoming these obstacles lies in a powerful and evident solution: embracing mobile technology.
As the majority of internet users globally access the internet through their palms, transitioning from desktop-centric platforms to mobile-first solutions is not only necessary but inevitable.
This is significant. If Web3 cannot fully embrace mobile technology, it risks remaining confined to a niche audience, limiting its global impact.
However, by addressing these five challenges and fully embracing the mobile revolution, Web3 may ultimately welcome its iPhone moment.
免责声明：本文章仅代表作者个人观点，不代表本平台的立场和观点。本文章仅供信息分享，不构成对任何人的任何投资建议。用户与作者之间的任何争议，与本平台无关。如网页中刊载的文章或图片涉及侵权，请提供相关的权利证明和身份证明发送邮件到support@aicoin.com，本平台相关工作人员将会进行核查。
