Web 3.0 is the next generation of web technology, which promises to provide a more personalised and interactive web experience – beyond the internet as we know it. It is based on the concept of the “Semantic Web”, where web content can be machine-readable, and understood by computers. This allows for more intelligent search engines and web applications that can better understand the user’s needs. Web 3.0 is still in its nascent stages of development, but there are already some exciting applications that are being created.

What is Web 3.0?

The term “Web 3.0” was first coined by John Markoff in 2006, in an article for the New York Times. He used the term to describe web applications that used artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to provide a more personalised experience for users.

Web 3.0, as we know it today, enables the interconnection of data in a decentralised way. It is a significant upgrade to the current Web 2.0 where data is mostly stored in centralised repositories.  Web 3.0 will allow data to be stored on the user’s computer, giving them more control over their data. In addition to a decentralised approach, Web 3.0 will also allow for more sophisticated applications to be developed that can make use of this decentralised data.

Devices and users will be able to interact and manipulate data both conceptually and contextually. The two cornerstones of Web 3.0 are AI and semantic web.  With Web 3.0, the web will become more intelligent and easier to use.

Web 3.0 is the next generation of the web that will be powered by decentralised technologies such as blockchain and IPFS.  It will be a more user-centric web where users have more control over their data. This is becoming more and more important as consumers are demanding more control of their data, with an increased need for privacy.

Web 1.0 & Web 2.0

Web 1.0 was the original web that was created in the early 1990s. This was a web of static pages where users could only consume information. Web 1.0 was followed by Web 2.0, which was a web of dynamic pages where users could interact with each other. With Web 2.0, we saw the rise of social media and web applications such as YouTube, Google Maps and Gmail – mostly the internet as we know it. Despite powering a lot of global development in the last 2 decades, Web 2.0 comes at a cost – in the way things are structured around central entities.

The data used on Web 2.0 is stored in a centralised manner – and this is routinely exploited. Data used on Web 2.0 applications are often breached and users have no control of the use of their data.

Web 3.0: Decentralised data

With Web 3.0, the aim is to create a decentralised web where data is stored on a blockchain and is not controlled by any single entity. It stands as the next generation of the internet where data is stored on a blockchain instead of centralised servers. A key feature of Web 3.0 is the use of smart contracts which help to automate transactions and reduce the need for third-party intermediaries.

Web 3.0: Crypto and Blockchain

The idea of Web 3.0 is built on blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies. Through the decentralised technology, Web 3.0 applications are able to run protocols that allow users to control their own data. Most of the DeFi Protocols currently are Web 3.0 applications that are powered by the Ethereum blockchain, however there are also other utility blockchains that help power DeFi platforms. These protocols provide an open financial system that is accessible to everyone.

Web 3.0 Technologies

A Web 3.0 stack contains a variety of technologies that enable the construction of decentralised applications. These technologies include:

• Decentralised storage
• Decentralised identity
• Decentralised communication
• Decentralised computation

All of these technologies work together to create an ecosystem that is more secure, private, and censor-resistant.

What does Web 3.0 mean for users?

Web 3.0 is important because it represents a shift from the current web, which is controlled by a few large companies, to online connection that is decentralised and controlled by the people who use it. This shift will give users more control over their data and their privacy, and it will make the web more accessible to everyone.

The web has always been a platform for innovation, and Web 3.0 will open up new opportunities for developers to create innovative applications that can improve our lives. We are still in the early stages of Web 3.0, and it will take time for these applications to be developed and adopted by users. But, as more people begin to use Web 3.0 applications, we will see a new web that is more open, accessible, and secure.

Challenges and Future of Web 3.0

Web 3.0 has the potential to change how we interact with the internet and with each other. By decentralising data and giving users more control over their information, Web 3.0 can make the internet more secure and private. However, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed before Web 3.0 can truly take off.

One of the biggest challenges is getting people to adopt Web 3.0 applications. While there are many potential benefits, most people are not familiar with it and do not know how to use it. Another challenge is developing standards for applications so that they can work together seamlessly. Without standards, it will be difficult for developers to create new applications that can be used by a wide range of users.

Despite these challenges, Web 3.0 has the potential to transform the way we use the internet and make it more democratic, decentralised, and secure. It is still in its early stages, but as more people learn about it and start using Web 3.0 applications, we will begin to see the true power of this new web technology.