Imagine you're building a house. You could build it the regular way with wood and nails, or you could build it with special smart materials that cost more but do amazing things – like walls that clean themselves or doors that only open for certain people. That's kind of like the difference between regular internet apps (Web2) and blockchain apps (Web3).
The High Cost of Building in Web3
Building apps on the blockchain is expensive in three main ways:
Gas Fees: Every time your app does something on the blockchain, users have to pay a fee (called "gas"). It's like paying a toll every time you want to save a file or send a message. During busy times, these fees can cost $50 or more for simple actions!
Development Time: Writing code for blockchain apps takes longer. Developers need special skills and have to be extra careful because mistakes can't be easily fixed once the code is live. It's like writing in permanent marker instead of pencil.
Testing and Security: Because blockchain apps handle real money, they need expensive security checks. A single bug could cost millions of dollars, so companies spend months and lots of money making sure everything is perfect.
When Web3 Makes Sense: The Stablecoin Story
Despite these costs, some things actually work better on the blockchain. Stablecoins (digital dollars that keep their value) are a perfect example. Here's why they're worth the extra cost:
Programmable Money: Imagine if your dollars could follow rules automatically. You could set up payments that only happen when certain conditions are met – like allowance that automatically goes to your kid's account every week, but only if they've done their chores (tracked by a smart app).
Lightning-Fast Settlement: When you send money through a bank, it can take days to fully clear. With stablecoins, it happens in seconds or minutes, any time of day, even on weekends.
Global Access: Anyone with internet can use stablecoins. No bank account needed. This helps people in countries with unstable currencies or limited banking access.
No Permission Needed: You don't need anyone's approval to send or receive stablecoins. It's like cash, but digital. No one can freeze your account or tell you who you can pay.
Transparent and Trackable: Every transaction is recorded publicly (though your name isn't attached). This makes it easier to audit and harder to cheat.
The Bottom Line
Yes, building in Web3 is like choosing the expensive road. But for certain things – especially moving money around – the benefits outweigh the costs. As technology improves and costs come down, we'll likely see more applications where Web3 makes sense.