Opinion by: Richard Johnson, chief operating officer of Data Guardians Network
In the continuous pursuit to enhance Web3 adoption, many enthusiasts and organizations advocate for a shift away from Web2 practices.
Whether it’s about making Web3 tools resemble Web2 applications or reshaping business models to center around Web3 infrastructure, there exists a vocal faction that believes dismantling Web2 is essential for Web3 growth.
This perspective is misguided.
Replacing existing systems isn’t practical or advantageous in the short term, potentially constraining Web3’s growth and opportunities.
Getting people on side
Web3 addresses a range of challenges, from economic issues to everyday tasks, yet it remains complex and daunting for those outside the industry.
Simultaneously, Oxford University has highlighted the “trust paradox” of blockchain technology: the contradiction between blockchain’s promises of trustlessness and the public’s lack of confidence in it. Collectively, these trends indicate a broader confusion and disengagement from the mass market.
This situation implies that users are more likely to “play it safe” with Web2 applications rather than risk experimenting with Web3. This barrier hampers Web3 adoption. Innovators cannot depend solely on Web3’s benefits; they must engage with the existing infrastructure to attract a wider audience.
Related: Here’s how hybrid blockchain solutions bridge the gap between Web2 and Web3
The Web3 scaffold
Collaboration between Web2 and Web3 is already underway, mainly driven by Web2 providers. In finance, major players like PayPal, Visa, and significant banks are incorporating crypto and blockchain services, paving the way for mass market acceptance. Outside finance, Amazon Web Services has established Web3 labs, while Google Cloud is collaborating on zero-knowledge proofs, integrating Web3 into traditional offerings.
While Web2 applications seek a middle ground, Web3 developers can and should pursue the same approach by leveraging Web2’s established market for faster scaling. Just as 4G facilitated the rollout of 5G, Web2 processes can help create better Web3 applications.
Looking at this in practice
Web3 developers can balance decentralization with the convenience expected from Web2 by prioritizing accessibility, from user-friendly interfaces to comprehensible names. They should also recognize how their products can serve Web2 organizations.
Frequently, Web3 advocates assume their approach’s superiority is self-evident, neglecting to explain why it is better. This risks alienating users instead of attracting them. Showcasing practical benefits through interaction with Web2 offerings can help bridge the divide between both sectors.
An example is the synergy between AI and blockchain. If every piece of data used to train an AI model was tracked immutably on the blockchain, its origin, use, and outcomes could be verified instantly, resolving disputes.
Essentially, a good idea will succeed, whether it’s a Web3 application or not.
Demonstrating this value — even if it requires engaging with Web2 sectors — will bolster the tool’s legitimacy and draw more attention from the mass market.
Engaging to innovate
While it may feel challenging to engage with Web2 to foster greater trust in a Web3 tool, the benefits are clear. Introducing any technology to the mass market can lead to various issues, such as initial bugs or scaling difficulties. Research from Nielsen indicates that usability testing with real-world users can enhance a product’s success rate by up to 500%. Thus, encouraging Web2 users to explore Web3 applications will yield a superior end product.
Discussions over “Web2 vs. Web3” might capture attention, but successful companies seldom define themselves by the label. They are AI firms, financial institutions, consumer platforms, and data companies utilizing whatever tools best serve their market. No customer wakes up wanting to use “a Web3 app”; they seek improved banking, smarter AI, or more effective platforms.
The true winners will be those quietly harnessing Web3 to address real-world problems, not those fixated on ideological purity.
Collaborating with Web2 broadens the user base, creating more opportunities for testing, iteration, and improvement. The passionate community of Web3 has yet to captivate the mass market, and achieving this necessitates embracing Web2 practices, habits, and infrastructure that have influenced technology adoption for years.
Opinion by: Richard Johnson, chief operating officer of Data Guardians Network.
This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.
