Directory >> Web3

Web3 Technologies and Services

Web3 is the internet of user-owned assets and programmable agreements on public blockchains. It began with Bitcoin in 2009 and expanded with Ethereum in 2015, which introduced smart contracts and enabled decentralized applications.

Web3 Finance

In finance, Web3 powers non-custodial trading, lending, and payments. Key actors include decentralized exchanges such as Uniswap, lending systems such as Aave and MakerDAO, and stablecoin issuers such as Tether and Circle. Fiat on-ramps and custody are provided by centralized exchanges like Coinbase and Binance, while wallets such as MetaMask and Ledger give users direct control.

Web3 Infrastructure

In infrastructure, Layer 1s execute and finalize transactions, Layer 2s scale throughput, oracles bring external data, and decentralized storage keeps content addressable. Ethereum, Solana, and Bitcoin anchor the base layer. Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base provide rollups. Chainlink supplies oracle feeds. IPFS with Filecoin and Arweave handle storage and persistence. Node platforms such as Infura and Alchemy expose reliable access for developers.

Web3 Applications

In applications, creators mint NFTs and run marketplaces, game studios tokenize items and rewards, and new social protocols let users own profiles and graphs. OpenSea, Blur, and Magic Eden match buyers and sellers. Immutable and Axie Infinity lead gaming experiments. Lens and Farcaster advance social, with messaging from protocols like XMTP.

Blockchain Domains

Blockchain domains turn human-readable names into on-chain records that resolve to wallet addresses, content, and services. Protocols include ENS, Handshake, Space ID, and RIF Name Service. Registrars such as Unstoppable Domains and Namebase onboard users. Owners can set records, delegate subdomains, and, in some systems, renew names within their namespace.