Our team analyzed seven key consumer trends that are shaping the future of the crypto & Web3 industry Let's dive into each of them: 🧵

TREND #1: UX is key 🟩 The potential for Web3 to become more accessible to the mainstream audience is huge Builders are creating new infrastructure to bring DeFi & NFTs closer to mainstream adoption — wallets, privacy & security solutions, fiat on & off ramps, & tokenized goods

UX has been the focus of consumer-facing web in the last 15 years, and consumers in Web 2.0 expect good UX As builders create infrastructure to make Web3 more user-friendly, we can expect the emergence of an “invisible” Web3 UX, where the tech is seamlessly integrated

TREND #2: The momentum around Web3 social is building 📱 Dissatisfaction with current social media platforms is paving the way for Web3 social networks that give users control over their data, identity, and content

Social platforms that separate underlying protocols from the apps themselves will free users from centralization (where a user's content and followers are locked within a specific platform) In Web3 social, creators will be able to choose which platform serves them best

The proof is in the numbers: @LensProtocol has seen more than 110,000 new profiles and 99,000 NFT holders since its 2022 launch Other notable projects in the Web3 social space include @farcaster_xyz, @desoprotocol, and @lensterxyz

TREND #3: NFTs are maturing 🎟️ The wild phase of speculation and hype is giving way to a need for real value Projects are venturing into music (@warnermusic x @opensea), events (@ticketmaster), content creation, and physical goods

Tooling around NFTs is expanding, bringing more choices for consumers and opening up the competition As companies like @Amazon enter the fray and projects like @Starbucks' NFT loyalty program mature, the door to mainstream adoption swings wide open

TREND #4: Soulbound tokens enter the discussion 🪙 Soulbound tokens are non-transferable tokens that are intrinsically connected with a person’s online identity These tokens are sought to represent commitments, credentials, and affiliations

Soulbound tokens have the potential to supercharge applications in academics, credit verification, medical history, and more, encouraging non-financialized adoption of blockchain tech Zero knowledge (ZK) tech will allow revealing and obscuring elements of identity

TREND #5: Physical & digital worlds collide 👛 The melding of the physical and digital realms is creating a "phygital" space On the DeFi side, real-world assets (RWA) are making a comeback, opening paths for partnerships with traditional financial companies

e.g. @MakerDAO passed proposals to invest in US Treasuries & corporate bonds while partnering with banks to provide loans using RWAs as collateral @jpmorgan , @dbsbank , and SBI Digital Asset Holdings have already traded tokenized currencies and sovereign bonds on @0xPolygon

TREND #6: Gaming grows 🎮 With the Web3 gaming market projected to reach $104.5 billion in 5 years, opportunities for blockchain applications in gaming are vast With enhanced visuals and more immersive environments, gaming might be the bridge between Web2 and Web3

The current P2E (play-to-earn) model is set for evolution, with economies based on digital assets at the helm Web3 gaming continues to draw large investments, with projects backed by strong game-industry talent gaining traction