The API economy, driven by the growing demand for digital services, presents various challenges and opportunities for businesses moving from physical goods to subscription and consumption-based offerings. Web3, with its decentralized nature, offers solutions to these challenges while simplifying the process of providing digital services.
APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) allow two computer programs to communicate with each other, enabling distributed applications to execute functionality over a network. APIs and smart contracts, which are executable code stored on blockchains like Ethereum, form the backbone of Web3 technology.
The API economy refers to the market created by offering data and services to web users via APIs for a fee. Examples include purchasing stock price data or integrating payment services for customers to buy goods and services. The main limitation to the API economy is the need to establish identity and authorization before consumers can transact and receive services, which hinders scaling.
Web3, designed to operate in a decentralized manner, allows anonymous transactions to occur without establishing trust. Using smart contracts, businesses can:
- Exchange data and digital services while receiving payment simultaneously.
- Create an immutable record on the blockchain that a user has requested and received services for billing purposes.
- Use the blockchain to establish identity and authorization without building an entire user management and billing capacity within their platform.
Oracles, components of the blockchain that provide access to off-chain data, enable service providers to incorporate access to their information as an intrinsic part of the blockchain.
Developing digital services for Web3 requires a different mindset and approach compared to traditional Web2 delivery models. It involves expertise in blockchain technologies and considerations for using public or private blockchains. Nevertheless, Web3 is a powerful technology that will become an integral part of most financial services and retail offerings within the next decade.
