One of the most popular buzzwords to spawn from the cryptocurrency movement in the last decade or so is “decentralisation” and simply put, it’s all about taking control away from central authorities, empowering users instead. This idea of decentralisation forms the backbone of what’s known as “Web3”.
With decentralisation playing a key role in blockchain technology, it’s no surprise investors are interested in what’s projected to be a $69 billion (about £58 billion) market by 2023. For context, that’s a compound annual growth rate of 68% between now and then. Blockchain fuels Web3 – and that’s a movement with some lofty ambitions. Web3 dreams of a world where users manage their data and transactions, instead of gatekeepers and big corporations.
Web3 (or Web 3.0 if you want to get old school) is the name for the latest version of the internet. It embodies concepts like decentralisation, blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), cryptocurrencies, and decentralised finance (DeFi).
For context, we’re currently navigating Web 2.0 (Web2), which relies mostly on user-generated content presented in a format that’s functional and easy on the eye. If you’re old enough, you might remember Web 1.0, which was pretty ugly (sorry). But it was the first iteration of the internet and mostly read-only, static content – opposed to the highly interactive experience we all have today.
It’s hard to pin down the best Web3 stocks at any given moment because it’s a fluid and fast-moving industry (to say the least), but here’s a quick look at some of the top Web3 stocks making waves today:
Here are a couple less-traditional ways to invest and dip your toes into the world of Web3:
Web3 is still in its infancy. While it offers massive potential, it also involves outsized risk compared to other existing technology investments, like well-established tech stocks.
If your research suggests a future where decentralisation is the norm and users have greater control over their digital footprint, you may want to invest while the sector is young. Given the volatility, these investments should form part of a diversified portfolio to balance risk.
The best Web3 investment depends on your intentions. If you seek higher risk and more speculative alternatives, consider cryptocurrencies, as they are crucial for propelling Web3 forward. Meanwhile, stocks like NVIDIA or Block might be less volatile since they are involved in various tech market opportunities, not just Web3.
Investing in Web3 carries greater risk than other opportunities as it’s still an emerging technology, key risks include:
Here’s a brief summary of your options when it comes to passive and active investing in the Web3 space:
Yes and no. It’s impossible to deny that internet technology is going to advance and evolve over time. So at some stage we will experience a new version of the internet, different to the one we currently know and love (or loathe). However, whether the next iteration of the internet ends up being what’s currently referred to as Web3 is still unknown. We might end up in a decentralised technology utopia, who knows, but part of me doubts it. The technology companies that have a stranglehold on Web 2.0 and are worth trillions of dollars and are unlikely to loosen their grip unless forced to.
Our reliance on a handful of companies to control and dictate the internet space (it’s not the “wild web” anymore) means we could be waiting longer than some are hoping before we get to the ideal Web3. By definition, Web3 means more ownership, control and interaction from everyday internet-users. And I’m just not sure people have the knowledge or motivation to take over the reins of the internet, most people just prefer to have things be as easy as possible. So we need better Web3 interfaces before it can become a practical (virtual) reality.
There’s no question that Web3 is a growing movement, with an increasing number of companies backing its ideals. With plenty of potential, Web3 looks promising. It’s anything but stable though, and still may prove to be a bubble.
Given it’s not a single technology, nor a single platform, to lump it all together and try to assess it as a collective entity is shortsighted at best. That means research is key. And if you’re still uncertain, it’s probably best you start small and slow, by investing in the companies taking it gradually too.
All investing should be regarded as longer term. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you’re not sure which investments are right for you, please seek out a financial adviser. Capital at risk.
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