Introduction to Web3

In this video, we explore the evolution of the internet from Web1 to Web3, focusing on decentralization, the blockchain trilemma, and how emerging technologies shape the future of digital ownership and data management.

🌐 What Is Web3?

Web3 is the third generation of the internet, enabling decentralized ownership, peer-to-peer interaction, and smart contracts. To fully understand it, let’s first compare the different phases of the web:

🧭 Evolution of the Web

Web1 (1990s) – The Static Web

• Primarily informational
• Static websites with minimal interactivity
• Read-only access to data

Web2 (2000s–Present) – The Social Web

• Rise of social media and user-generated content
• Interactive, dynamic web pages
• Users can read, write, and share content

Web3 (Emerging) – The Decentralized Web

• Users can read, write, and own digital assets
• Powered by blockchain and smart contracts
• Removes reliance on centralized databases and intermediaries

⚔️ Web2 vs Web3

Web2 Infrastructure:

• Users interact via browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox)
• Front-end: User interface built with HTML, CSS, JavaScript
• Back-end: Logic and data storage managed by central servers
• Database: Centralized repositories controlled by companies

Web3 Infrastructure:

• Decentralized backends using blockchain
• Front-end still uses common web technologies
• Connects to blockchain via ethers.js or web3.js
• Includes Virtual Machines (e.g., EVM) to run smart contracts
• Uses Blocks to store transaction records immutably

In Web3, data isn't just hosted on a central server. Instead, it's distributed across a network, giving users full control and ownership.

🔄 Summary: Read, Write, Own

Web1: Read

Web2: Read, Write

Web3: Read, Write, Own

🔑 Decentralization in Web3

Web3 eliminates centralized control:

• Web2 relies on central servers (e.g., Facebook’s databases)
• Web3 distributes data across nodes, giving power back to users

This shift promotes security, transparency, and user ownership, making data less vulnerable to breaches and misuse.

🧩 The Blockchain Trilemma

When building a blockchain, there's often a trade-off between:

1. Scalability: Ability to handle high transaction volumes
2. Decentralization: Distributes control across many nodes
3. Security: Protects data integrity and privacy

Optimizing all three simultaneously is extremely difficult, hence the "trilemma."

🧪 Does the Perfect Blockchain Exist?

No single blockchain can perfectly serve all industries. Here's why:

• Healthcare needs secure storage for sensitive medical records.
• Finance demands high performance and robust security.
• Gaming prioritizes speed and scalability for smooth user experience.

Thus, the future lies in customized blockchains and sidechains tailored to specific use cases.

🔄 Layer 1 vs Layer 2: The Role of Sidechains

• Main Chain (Layer 1): Core blockchain (e.g., BNB Smart Chain)
• Sidechains (Layer 2): Customized solutions connected to Layer 1

Sidechains allow industries to optimize:

• Gaming apps → scalability and speed
• Finance/healthcare → high-level security

This modular architecture helps balance the trilemma by offloading specific requirements to dedicated blockchains.

🚀 Final Thoughts

Web3 is reshaping the internet into a decentralized, secure, and user-controlled environment. While it’s still early in development, its promise lies in redefining ownership and reducing centralized power.