The Key to Mass Adoption
True mass adoption of paradigm-shifting technology, we believe, primarily arises from ease of access. At Interchain Info, our goal is to simplify access to the burgeoning world of Web3.
In the early 2000s, the Internet underwent a transformation. From a wild frontier that many hesitated to explore, it evolved into the bedrock of our modern society. Yet, prior to this transformation, the majority’s feelings about the Internet were much like today’s perceptions of Web3: skeptical. To illustrate, in 1995, the inventor of the Ethernet cord predicted the Internet would “go spectacularly supernova and catastrophically collapse by 1996.”
The catalyst for this change wasn’t a revolutionary shift in internet technology. Instead, it was about improving access. Central to this transformation were two household names: Google and Wikipedia. Their services—a comprehensive search engine and an information repository—introduced the Internet to a broader audience by simplifying two major aspects of Internet use (searching and research,) and doing so in a reliable and trusted way.
Currently, Web3 faces a similar challenge. While skepticism about cryptocurrency in 2023 might be rooted in genuine and far from unfounded concerns about scams and grifters, we remain passionate about Web3’s true positive potential. We recognize that blockchain technology has the potential to profoundly benefit society, and also recognize that it’s still in its nascent stages. Web3 needs reliable, trustworthy platforms and services to help users overcome skepticism and doubt.
We’re pioneering a movement focused on making Web3 accessible and intuitive.
A movement rooted in trust, transparency, and education.
The open nature of this realm has far too often lead to exploitation. There is real reason to proceed with caution, and to align one’s own vision/projects with sources that are trusted, informed, and safe. At Interchain Info (ICI), we aim to do this by developing a Web3 platform imbued with the same consistency and stability as things like Google and Wikipedia. Our mission is to facilitate easy access and understanding of everything Web3, unlocking its true potential, and above all making it safer and more intuitive to explore for the end user.
The Core of the Paradigm Shift: Why Blockchain Matters
Before delving into Interchain Info, let’s explore why Web3 is significant. It’s not primarily about tokens, NFTs, or DeFi. These are mere byproducts. The essence lies in the blockchain. This technology is more than just a buzzword; it signifies a monumental shift. Blockchain imparts tangibility to digital items, making transfers akin to handing over a physical possession. It brings authenticity to digital exchanges, paralleling real-world transactions.
Now if this confuses you, it’s probably because you, like most people, don’t fully understand the underlying way our digital world works. And why would you? So we’ll keep this very simple. Until blockchain, whenever we “send” things online, we’re making copies of them, not actually sending them. Whether it’s an email, a Venmo payment, or anything else, what’s actually happening is data is being copied. Sometimes the original is later deleted to make it seem like it was “sent” in the traditional sense of the word.
At the end of the day, the real, truly important thing about blockchain technology is that it lets us treat digital items as if they were physical. We promise, once you think on that long enough, you’ll have that eureka moment.
Interchain Info: Championing Trust and Transparency in Web3
Navigating the vast expanse of the crypto universe can be daunting, especially for those who might feel overwhelmed by its intricacies. With a plethora of projects, platforms, and protocols, where does one even begin? A year or two ago, we noticed that this problem was particularly magnified in the Cosmos ecosystem, due to its structure as a collection of sovereign & independent yet interconnected blockchains. So this is where our journey started, and where we’ve spent much of our focus until recently.
At ICI, we’ve meticulously designed our platform to be user-centric. Whether you’re a grizzled crypto veteran, or someone just curious about various buzzwords like “DEX” or “NFT”, our platform aims to be the go-to place for exploring and learning about all things Web3.
Open Yet Secure Submissions:
At ICI, we believe in the power of community-driven content, and two thirds of our site is dedicated to this. The Index acts like an all-encompassing crypto-wiki, and The Resource Hub acts as an aggregator of user created content, from videos to articles and more. Our platform allows anyone to submit Resources and Index pages, as well as edit Index pages, fostering a collaborative environment akin to Wikipedia for the Index, and a sort of aggregator for platforms like YouTube and Medium for our Resource Hub. Both the Index and the Resource Hub are already live, with the Index approaching 1,000 pages, and with over 100 pieces of content in the Hub.
However, in the dynamic world of Web3, where phishing links and scams are prevalent, security is paramount. So while Wikipedia is a heavy inspiration for us, things work a bit differently in Web3, and we have to acknowledge that. Thus, every submission and edit on ICI undergoes a low-level review before going live. Our goal is to screen for simple malicious actions, such as inaccurate alterations, deletion attempts, or swapping genuine links for malicious ones. Rest assured, our review process is rooted in neutrality, ensuring the integrity of the information remains intact, and our oversight purely exists for protecting our users.
Project Verification:
In the crypto realm, trust is a prized commodity, and at ICI, we’re committed to enhancing that trust. Our unique ‘Verification’ system is a testament to this commitment. While it’s not an absolute endorsement by any means, it’s a significant step towards creating a safer environment. When users are browsing the Index, Verified pages stand out in the crowd, gently guiding people to more tried, tested, and trusted projects and pages.
To attain the ‘Verified’ status on an Index page, projects undergo a simple and transparent process. They’re required to pay a nominal fee and provide basic information, encompassing on-chain metrics as well as insights into the team behind the project. This data, once verified, is made public, ensuring users have access to essential information. It’s our way of fostering at least a basic level of transparency, ensuring that while the crypto world may be vast and complex, while on ICI, you’re always informed.
Seamless Integration of Index and Resource Hub:
Ever stumbled upon a term or project in Web3 and wished you had a comprehensive resource to dive deeper? ICI’s integration of the Index and Resource Hub is the answer.
Imagine you’re exploring the world of decentralized exchanges (DEXs). With our platform, you can delve into the DEX subcategory under DeFi in the Index. From there, each DEX page is linked to and shows you a preview of related resource entries. This means you can effortlessly transition from understanding the basics of a given DEX, to immersing yourself in detailed resources about the platform, or hearing various educators and content creators both critique and guide you through using it.
It’s a holistic approach, ensuring you’re well-equipped with knowledge before you venture into any financial commitments.
The Road Ahead:
While ICI stands at the moment as a sort of open platform for the sharing of information and content, we have two major goals we’re building towards.
The Dashboard is the final third of our site, which will be released sometime in the coming months. While the Index and the Resource Hub are relatively Web2-based solutions to the problem of a fractured web3 landscape, the Dashboard is directly focused on solving the on-chain, web3 side of this same problem. Right now, in order to fully “use” all that Web3 offers, you’ll often find yourself drowning in browser tabs. One tab for your bridge, one for your wallet, one for your DEX, one for your NFT marketplace, etc. Even other “aggregation” platforms seem to be only tackling part of the problem, aggregating only a portion of the web3 experience for you.
With the ICI Dashboard however, users will be able to build a custom interface made up of widgetized versions of all their favorite dApps and protocols, so that they can interact with everything in one, intuitive-to-use place. More info here.
Guides and Curated Walkthroughs are something we want to spend a solid amount of time on once our bandwidth allows. While we’re currently focused on providing an open platform for anyone and everyone to share knowledge and help others grow, our roots lie in educating and guiding new users ourselves. So in addition to keeping the Index and Resource Hub open, we plan to build additional, more custom made tools, guides, and hand-holding experiences to help users of all skill levels get the most out of their web3 experience.
The promise of Web3 is immense, but so are its challenges. At Interchain Info, we’re not just offering a platform; we’re pioneering a movement focused on making web3 accessible and intuitive. A movement rooted in trust, transparency, and education. As we stand at the cusp of a digital revolution, join us in navigating the intricacies of Web3 with confidence and clarity.
