Empowering global blockchain adoption and the internet for the modern age

Blockchain technology has been around for over a decade and has transformed many industries, from finance to supply-chain management to digital identity. It has the potential to revolutionize the way we live, work and transact in the near future. However, adoption is still far from the global scale that Web3 enthusiasts envision.

According to QuickNode’s co-founder and co-CEO Dmitry Shklovsky, blockchain has the power to reshape the way people live — starting with their online presence. A decentralized internet is the next evolutionary stage of the digital world, and blockchain has the power to bring this to reality. 

Q: How do you see blockchain technology revolutionizing the way we live, work and transact in the near future?

On the highest level, blockchain technology has the potential to evolve most of our daily processes and how we fundamentally transact with institutions and each other. From DeFi to supply-chain solutions to digital identity and keeping records on a public ledger, the use cases for blockchain are limitless — and we’ve only just begun to scratch the surface. Many people consider a crypto wallet as “your passport to the internet.” Looking ahead, we see passports, licenses, car keys, voter registration, art collection, loans, deeds, educational certifications and membership cards all in the same place — seamlessly accessible, interoperable and secured by cryptography.

Q: What are some of the key benefits of a decentralized internet compared to a centralized one?

A decentralized internet reduces intermediaries and enables direct peer-to-peer transactions, making it trustless, secure and more equitable. The current centralized model is siloed and full of institutional gatekeepers, who monetize user information. A decentralized internet restores ownership of content, identity and data back to the users. A blockchain-enabled internet is globally accessible and transparent for anyone that wishes to participate.

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you see that hamper global blockchain adoption right now?

There’s still too much friction in the blockchain onboarding process right now regarding scalability, security and user-friendliness. That said, our work since 2018 has enabled new applications that reduce complexity and provide a better interface, bringing blockchain-enabled apps to millions of new users. There is also a huge PR issue when it comes to crypto, NFTs and the mainstream media. All crypto is blockchain, but not all blockchain is crypto. Our job as a Web3 leader is to help illuminate this difference and help reshape public opinion.

Q: QuickNode is a complete, end-to-end blockchain development platform. How does that help developers in creating the future of the internet with blockchain at the heart of it?

QuickNode gives blockchain developers everything they need to build and scale their projects right out of the box. We provide all the tools and resources that builders need to create incredible products — all backed by unparalleled, globally-balanced infrastructure, guaranteed reliability and security, a user-friendly interface, and end-to-end customer support. Essentially, QuickNode is the blockchain utility company building roads and laying powerlines to make the modern internet navigable. You don’t spend time thinking about where the electricity and water come from when making coffee, only the delicious, enlivening end product. QuickNode keeps the lights on while Web3 developers focus on building beautiful products and delighting users.  

Q: What do you think are the key elements required to establish a successful blockchain ecosystem?

A successful blockchain ecosystem will require user-friendly onramps, an engaged community of developers, innovative and utility-focused projects, a supportive regulatory environment and reliable infrastructure. Blockchain-enabled internet is an improvement on the current system, so we need to make sure all the building blocks are in place for longevity.

Q: How do you plan on promoting blockchain education and awareness to a wider global audience?

We believe wholeheartedly in empowering the people creating the future of the internet. Not only does QuickNode provide resources to blockchain developers, but it’s also home to some of the greatest minds in the blockchain space. Our team of blockchain-native experts have created hundreds of guides, documentation, videos and webinars. We also frequently attend global blockchain events and hacker houses to lead workshops and share resources. We even hosted our own event in Miami last year for the community — Nodevember — and we have a lot more in the works this year coming off our recent Series B fundraiser. 

Q: Can you discuss the role of smart contracts in enabling blockchain adoption, and what are some of the current limitations?

Smart contracts play a crucial role in enabling blockchain adoption by automating the execution of contract terms and reducing the need for intermediaries. Transactions on the decentralized internet are built on smart-contract infrastructure. The current limitations include a need for more standardization and scalability. We also need to emphasize making smart contracts more accessible to the average user.

Q: What’s next for QuickNode? Can you share your company’s plans for the near future and give readers a sneak peek into the QuickNode roadmap for 2023?

Expanding in every single direction, doubling down on the successes of our platform (speed, reliability, efficiency) while listening to customers (new and old) on what challenges they face and which pain points to solve next. We also plan on broadening our educational resources and seeking to empower more developers through content (written, video and in-person). Lastly, making blockchain data more accessible and simple to understand, so that anyone can query on-chain data, or build literally anything with said data. You provide the idea, we will provide the ingredients to help you put it together and bring it to life!

Blockchain technology has the potential to transform the way people live, work and transact in the near future. From creating a trustless, secure and more equitable decentralized internet to automating contract execution with smart contracts, the use cases for blockchain are limitless. However, the challenges of global adoption, scalability, security and user-friendliness still persist, and it is crucial to have reliable infrastructure, an engaged community of developers, and a supportive regulatory environment to establish a successful blockchain ecosystem. 

QuickNode is a prime example of a company that provides the tools and resources for developers to create innovative and utility-focused blockchain projects. More information about the company and its activities can be found on the QuickNode website.