Source: Blockchain Knight

In today’s digital world, mobile technology is more than just a convenience, it is the lifeline connecting billions of people to the Internet.

There are more than 8.58 billion mobile phones in the world, exceeding the total population of the world. Smartphones have developed into an important tool for communication, business and financial management.

Despite its potential to transform industries, financial systems, and digital interactions, Web3 is still waiting for the "iPhone moment," the pivotal event that will make a disruptive technology intuitive and available to the masses. accepted.

So, what’s holding it back?

If Web3 wants to leap from an emerging technology to a widely used technology, it must overcome five major obstacles.

Lack of mobile-native solutions

While smartphones have become the primary device for billions of users, Web3 applications have largely remained limited to desktop environments.

Recent reports show that 92.1% of the world’s Internet users are connected through mobile phones, but only 8 of the top 100 Web 3D Apps on Dapp Radar provide mobile native experiences. Why does this gap occur?

This gap is particularly acute in emerging markets, where mobile phones are often the only means of accessing the Internet.

For example, in countries such as Vietnam, India, the Philippines, and South Africa, more than 70% of adults use mobile devices as the only means of connecting to the Internet.

Complex User Interface

For the average person, interacting with Web3 applications can be an intimidating experience, especially given the complexity of managing security and digital assets.

Be aware that more than two-thirds of Web2 users use the same password across all their accounts, indicating that it is difficult for mainstream users to meet the unique requirements of Web3.

Blockchain, decentralized finance (DeFi) and digital wallets often come with steep learning curves, including security measures such as seed phrases or complex keys, making it difficult for people to use these technologies with confidence.

Although Web3 continues to innovate, its user base has always been limited. In September this year, only 220 million active addresses were recorded. This number is negligible compared with the billions of people who regularly interact with the Web2 platform.

The Web3 community has also noticed this. Nearly a quarter of Web3 users believe complex user interfaces and complex onboarding processes are barriers to mass adoption of Web3.

By focusing on simplifying the user experience, the Web3 platform can create an attractive entry point for individuals new to blockchain and decentralized finance.

Low awareness of Web3

Despite its transformative potential, Web3 is still relatively unknown to the general public.

The survey shows that only 8% of people even know the existence of Web3. This low awareness is one of the biggest obstacles to achieving mainstream applications.

Lack of awareness is particularly problematic in areas where Web3 is likely to have its most profound impact: emerging markets where traditional banking services are underdeveloped or unavailable.

According to World Bank estimates, 1.4 billion people in these regions do not have access to financial services.

Web3 has the potential to empower these underserved communities by providing decentralized solutions to long-standing problems such as access to credit, high transaction fees, and currency instability. ability.

However, without effective education and publicity, many people still don’t know how these decentralized technologies can benefit their lives.

Digital Divide

In many emerging markets where access to traditional banking and financial services is limited, mobile technology has become the gateway to the global digital economy.

However, a huge digital divide still exists. United Nations experts are worried that due to the high cost of upgrading broadband infrastructure and backward technology, 2.7 billion people around the world are at risk of being unable to access the Internet.

In countries such as Brazil, Turkey and Vietnam, the adoption rate of Crypto assets is growing at an above-average rate, and the demand for digital assets is obvious.

However, while millions of people in these emerging markets own their own mobile devices, many respondents cited cost as a reason why they are unable to own their own mobile devices.

Stablecoins serve as proof of real-world applications for Web3

Web3’s reputation has long been associated with speculation and investment, but the recent surge in stablecoin usage suggests that Web3 is moving toward actual real-world applications.

As digital assets pegged to traditional currencies such as the U.S. dollar, stablecoins provide a stable and accessible way for daily transactions, savings, and cross-border payments without the frequent presence of Crypto asset markets Fluctuations, thereby achieving a high degree of product-market fit.

This stability attracts many users, especially those who are looking for digital tools that can meet their daily financial needs.

In emerging markets where banking services are still limited, stablecoins provide individuals with a means to store and transfer value globally, essentially acting as a "bank in your pocket."

Programs that allow users to earn and spend stablecoins are helping people understand digital assets, allowing them to meaningfully use them 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 shows that people are demanding more from Web3 than just 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 transform from its speculative image into a system that promotes inclusivity, ultimately broadening its appeal and driving greater adoption.

The way forward: embrace mobile and realizeThe Future of Web3

While Web3 is on the cusp of revolutionizing global industries, financial systems, and digital interactions, its path to mainstream adoption is still hampered by a few key challenges.

At the heart of overcoming these obstacles lies a powerful and obvious solution: embrace mobile technology.

With the majority of the world’s internet users accessing the internet from the palm of their hands, the transition from desktop-centric platforms to mobile-first solutions is not only necessary, but inevitable.

This is a big deal. If Web3 fails to fully embrace mobile technology, it risks remaining limited to a niche audience, limiting its global reach.

However, by addressing these five challenges and fully embracing the mobile revolution, Web3 may finally have its iPhone moment.