Dive into Fundamentals of Web3, the Metaverse and Non-Fungible Tokens as a Total Beginner. Why does CX/UX Research matter when creating a new startup? Put yourself into the customer's & user's shoes.

Katarzyna Hasnik
May 5
15 min read

Updated: Jul 4

1. My Understanding of Web3 (as a Total Beginner)

As someone who is just starting to learn about Web3, my current understanding is still basic and from what I’ve read so far, Web3 is considered the next evolution of the internet. While Web1 was mostly about static web pages and Web2 introduced interactive platforms like social media and online services, Web3 aims to take things a step further by focusing on decentralization, ownership, and user control.

One of the key concepts in Web3 is decentralization. This means that instead of large companies owning and controlling platforms and user data, control is distributed among users themselves. This is made possible through technologies like blockchain, which is a type of secure digital ledger. Although I’m still trying to fully understand how blockchain works, I know it plays a big role in keeping data transparent and secure without relying on a single central authority.

Another interesting aspect of Web3 is digital ownership. In this new version of the web, users can actually own digital assets like cryptocurrencies and NFTs (non-fungible tokens). These assets can represent anything from art to in-game items, and ownership is verified through the blockchain. This idea of owning digital items directly is very different from how things work in Web2, where most digital content is controlled by the platforms that host it.

Web3 also introduces the concept of self-sovereign identity, where users can control their own digital identity and use it across different platforms without relying on traditional login methods like email or social media accounts. This could help improve privacy and reduce the amount of personal data shared online.

In summary, while I’m still learning, I understand Web3 as a new phase of the internet that aims to give more control to users through decentralization, blockchain technology, and digital ownership. It’s a complex topic, but I find it exciting and worth exploring further.

Dive into Fundamentals of Web3, the Metaverse and Non-Fungible Tokens as a Total Beginner. Why does CX/UX Research matter when creating a new startup? Put yourself into the customer's & user's shoes.

2. My thoughts on the Metaverse

The idea of the Metaverse is both fascinating and a bit overwhelming to me as someone who is still new to the topic. From what I understand, the Metaverse refers to a virtual world, or a collection of virtual spaces, where people can interact with each other, work, play games, attend events, and even own digital property, all through the internet. It’s like a 3D version of the web, where instead of clicking and scrolling, you’re inside the experience.

What interests me most about the Metaverse is the potential for creativity and connection. People can build entire virtual environments, design digital avatars that represent them, and even buy virtual clothes, land, or art. I think this could open up exciting opportunities for expression, education, and social interaction, especially for people who might not have those

opportunities in the real world.

However, I also have questions and concerns. For one, I wonder how accessible the Metaverse will be. Right now, it seems like a lot of the more immersive experiences require VR headsets or powerful computers, which not everyone can afford. I also think about privacy and safety, if we already face issues with data and online behaviour in today’s internet, will those problems be even more complicated in a fully immersive world, in my opinion yes if not done well from the start.

Another thing I’m unsure about is how real the Metaverse should feel. There’s a fine line between creating something new and exciting, and replacing too much of our real-life experiences with virtual ones. I think it’s important that the Metaverse adds to our lives, not becomes a substitute for real human connection and the physical world.

In conclusion, while I’m still learning about the Metaverse, I see it as a promising but complex idea. It could transform how we interact online and offer new kinds of experiences. At the same time, it raises important questions about access, identity, and balance. I'm curious to see how it develops and what role it will play in the future.

Dive into WebTalents Now at https://web3-talents.io/ and define your meaningful path:

Web3 Talents: Fundamentals of Bitcoin, and Ethereum (public blockchain systems) - Discovery & Define Stage.

3. My Understanding of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)

As someone who is just starting to explore the world of blockchain and digital assets, my understanding of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), is still developing. However, I’ve learned some of the basic ideas behind what NFTs are and why they have become such a popular topic in recent years.

At the most basic level, an NFT is a type of digital asset that represents ownership of a unique item using blockchain technology. The term "non-fungible" means that the item is one of a kind and cannot be exchanged on a one-to-one basis like regular money or cryptocurrencies (which are “fungible”). For example, one Bitcoin is always equal to another Bitcoin, but one NFT is not equal to another NFT because each one has unique information attached to it.

NFTs can represent many different things: digital art, music, virtual real estate, in-game items, videos, or even tweets. When someone buys an NFT, they are buying proof that they own the original version of that digital item, and this ownership is recorded on a blockchain so it’s secure and transparent.

One thing I find interesting is that NFTs have opened up new opportunities for creators. Artists, musicians, and game developers can sell their work directly to fans without needing a middleman, and they can even earn royalties every time their NFT is resold. That seems like a big shift in how creative work can be valued and shared. However, I also understand

that NFTs have raised some concerns. One is about their environmental impact, especially because many blockchains use a lot of energy. Another concern is whether people are buying NFTs for the art or just to speculate and make money. There have also been scams and copyright issues, which show that the space is still developing and not without risks.

In conclusion, my understanding of NFTs is that they are a new kind of digital asset that lets people own and trade unique items online. They seem to offer exciting possibilities for creativity and ownership, but also bring challenges that need to be addressed. I’m looking forward to learning more and seeing how this technology evolves in the future.

4. Fundamentals of Web3, the Metaverse and Non-Fungible Tokens

Overview of Web 3.0: The Next Generation of the Internet

Web 3.0, often referred to simply as Web3, is widely considered the next major evolution of the internet. It builds on the foundations of previous generations, Web 1.0 (static, read-only websites) and Web 2.0 (interactive, user-generated platforms), by introducing a more decentralized, transparent, and user-empowered framework.

At the core of Web 3.0 are decentralized protocols and peer-to-peer networks. Unlike Web 2.0, which relies heavily on centralized servers and platforms controlled by large corporations, Web 3.0 leverages blockchain technology to distribute control and decision-making among users. This shift is intended to reduce dependency on centralized authorities and create a more open and resilient web ecosystem.

Another defining feature of Web 3.0 is its emphasis on user-centric data ownership. In traditional web models, user data is often collected, stored, and monetized by companies without direct user control. Web 3.0 introduces mechanisms, such as digital wallets and self-sovereign identities, that allow individuals to own, manage, and even monetize their personal data securely.

Additionally, Web 3.0 supports the development of decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts, which operate autonomously on blockchain networks without the need for intermediaries. These technologies enable more transparent and trustless interactions across finance, gaming, social media, and more.

In summary, Web 3.0 represents a transformative shift in how the internet operates. By combining decentralized infrastructure, peer-to-peer connectivity, and user data ownership, it aims to create a more democratic, secure, and user-empowered digital environment.

Empowering Users in Web 3.0: Digital Identity, Data Privacy, and Online Interactions

Web 3.0 introduces a user-centric model of the internet, aiming to shift control from centralized organizations to individual users. This transformation is particularly evident in three key areas: digital identity, data privacy, and online interactions.

Firstly, digital identity in Web 3.0 is designed to be self-sovereign. Unlike in Web 2.0, where users rely on third-party platforms (such as Google or Facebook) to log in and authenticate their identity, Web 3.0 allows individuals to create and manage their own digital identities through blockchain-based solutions like crypto wallets or decentralized identifiers (DIDs). These

identities are portable, secure, and not tied to a single service, enabling users to interact across platforms without repeatedly sharing personal information.

Secondly, data privacy is a central principle of Web 3.0. Traditional internet services often collect, store, and monetize user data without explicit consent. In contrast, Web 3.0 technologies give users control over their personal data, allowing them to decide what information to share, with whom, and for what purpose. Tools such as zero-knowledge proofs and encryption further enhance privacy, enabling secure verification of information without revealing sensitive details.

Lastly, Web 3.0 aims to improve online interactions by reducing reliance on centralized platforms and introducing decentralized applications (dApps). These applications operate on peer-to-peer networks and are governed by smart contracts, which ensure transparent and automated enforcement of rules. This reduces the risk of censorship, manipulation, or unilateral platform decisions, empowering users to participate in online communities and transactions on more equal and fair terms.

In conclusion, Web 3.0 seeks to create a more democratic and user-controlled internet. By giving individuals greater authority over their identity, privacy, and interactions, it promotes a more secure, transparent, and empowering digital experience.

Definition of the Metaverse

The Metaverse can be defined as a collective virtual space that encompasses a wide range of immersive digital environments, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and interconnected virtual worlds. It is an evolving concept that represents the convergence of physical and digital realities, where users can interact with each other, digital objects, and computer-generated environments in real time.

In the Metaverse, users are typically represented by customizable avatars and can engage in various activities such as social interaction, gaming, education, commerce, and entertainment. These experiences are enabled by advanced technologies that aim to create a seamless and immersive sense of presence.

A defining characteristic of the Metaverse is its interconnectedness, users can move across different platforms, environments, or applications while maintaining a consistent digital identity and assets. This integration is often supported by blockchain technologies and decentralized protocols, allowing for digital ownership and interoperability between virtual spaces.

In summary, the Metaverse represents a new frontier in digital interaction, offering a persistent, shared, and immersive virtual ecosystem that blends aspects of both the real and digital worlds.

The Potential of the Metaverse to Revolutionize Social Interactions, Entertainment, Education, and Commerce

The Metaverse, as an immersive and interconnected digital environment, holds significant potential to transform various aspects of human life, including social interactions, entertainment, education, and commerce. By merging real-world experiences with virtual technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and blockchain, the Metaverse is poised to redefine how people connect, learn, create, and conduct business.

1. Social Interactions In the Metaverse, social experiences are expected to become more immersive and dynamic. Instead of relying solely on text, video, or voice communication, users can interact through lifelike avatars in 3D virtual environments. This has the potential to create deeper engagement and a stronger sense of presence, especially for remote or geographically dispersed communities. Virtual meetups, events, and even entire social platforms within the Metaverse could become the new norm, offering more interactive and personalized experiences.

2. Entertainment The Metaverse is already showing promise in revolutionizing entertainment. Virtual concerts, gaming, and digital art galleries are becoming more common, enabling creators to deliver immersive experiences that go beyond traditional screens. For example, virtual performances by artists in 3D spaces allow fans to attend from anywhere in the world, interacting with the environment and each other in real time. Gaming within the Metaverse also

evolves into a social and economic experience, where players can own, trade, and create in-game assets using blockchain-based systems.

3. Education The Metaverse offers transformative possibilities for education by providing immersive, interactive, and experiential learning environments. Instead of passively reading or watching, students can explore historical sites, conduct virtual science experiments, or collaborate in real-time with peers from around the world. Virtual classrooms and simulations can improve engagement, understanding, and retention, especially in fields that benefit from visual and hands-on learning. Moreover, accessibility can be improved for students who face barriers to physical classrooms.

4. Commerce in the Metaverse introduces entirely new models of buying, selling, and economic interaction. Virtual marketplaces allow users to purchase digital goods, such as clothing for avatars, NFTs, or virtual real estate. Brands are beginning to establish virtual storefronts, enabling users to browse and interact with products in 3D before making purchases, either digital or physical. Additionally, blockchain technologies support secure transactions and digital ownership, paving the way for decentralized finance (DeFi) and innovative business models.

Conclusion In summary, the Metaverse has the potential to fundamentally reshape how people socialize, consume media, learn, and engage in commerce. While still in its early stages, its rapid development suggests that it could become a central component of daily life in the near future. As these technologies continue to evolve, careful attention must be paid to issues such as accessibility, privacy, and ethical use to ensure that the benefits of the Metaverse are

widely and fairly distributed.

How the Metaverse Has Evolved (And Is Still Evolving)

Over the last few years, I’ve seen the concept of the Metaverse grow from a futuristic idea into something that’s actually taking shape in real ways. At first, it felt more like science fiction, a virtual world where people could live, work, and play. But now, thanks to rapid advancements in technology, especially in VR, AR, MX, and blockchain, parts of that vision are already becoming real Back in the early days, the Metaverse was mostly talked about in the context of gaming. Platforms like Second Life or Minecraft were considered early versions. But more recently,

we’ve seen companies like Meta (formerly Facebook), Microsoft, and others investing heavily in building virtual worlds that go far beyond just games. There are now virtual oﬃces, events, concerts, and even real estate markets happening in digital spaces. One of the biggest shifts I’ve noticed is how much more immersive these environments are becoming. With better VR headsets and more realistic graphics, it’s getting easier to actually feel present in a digital space. And it’s not just visuals, there’s also work being done on virtual sound, touch, and

movement to make the experience even more engaging.

At the same time, the Metaverse is also becoming more connected to real-world economies. People are buying and selling virtual land, trading NFTs, and even earning income through virtual jobs. Blockchain technology plays a big role in this, especially when it comes to digital ownership and secure transactions.

That said, the Metaverse is definitely still evolving. A lot of it is experimental, and there are challenges, like making these spaces more accessible, keeping them safe, and figuring out how to balance virtual life with the real world.

To be honest, while I find the technology impressive and the possibilities exciting, I’m still a bit skeptical. I don’t fully buy into the idea of spending all my time in a virtual world. The idea of living in the Metaverse 24/7 doesn’t appeal to me. I see the Metaverse more as an addition to how we live and interact, not as the foundation. This perspective is deeply influenced by my Master of Arts thesis in 2023 at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology in Ireland, where I

researched the augmentation of the human body and mind through technology, with a special focus on the vision sense and its impact on day-to-day life. Based on this, I’m aware of the health, psychological, and emotional concerns that could arise from overexposure to immersive virtual environments.

I believe there’s real value in physical presence, human connection, and being grounded in the real world. So while I’m curious and open to learning more, I don’t see myself fully shifting to the Metaverse anytime soon.

So yes, the Metaverse has come a long way in the last few years, but it’s still very much in progress. It’s exciting to watch, and even more exciting to think about where it might go next, but for now, I’m keeping one foot in and one foot out, well balanced and harmonious.

Non-Fungibility Defined

Non-fungibility refers to the quality of an item or asset being unique and irreplaceable, meaning it cannot be exchanged on a one-to-one basis with another item of the same kind. Unlike fungible goods, such as money, where one dollar is always equal in value to another dollar, non-fungible items have distinct characteristics that set them apart from all others.

In a broader sense, non-fungibility applies to anything that has unique attributes, history, or value that cannot be duplicated or substituted. This can include physical objects like artwork, collectibles, or real estate, as well as digital assets like digital art, music files, or virtual goods. Each non-fungible item carries its own identity and value, which depends on factors like provenance, rarity, condition, and personal significance.

Base Functionality of NFTs and Digital Tokens

Minting
Minting is the process of creating a new NFT or token on the blockchain. When an NFT is minted, it becomes a unique, verifiable digital asset recorded on the blockchain, often including metadata such as the creator’s information, ownership history, and details about the digital item itself. Minting effectively turns digital content into a blockchain-based token.

Token Burn
Token burn refers to permanently removing a token or NFT from circulation by sending it to an unusable or “burn” address. Burning tokens reduces the total supply and can be used to increase scarcity, correct errors, or remove unwanted tokens. Once burned, the token is considered destroyed and cannot be recovered.

Buy
Buying an NFT or token involves a transaction where the buyer transfers cryptocurrency (such as Ethereum) to the current owner or seller, in exchange for ownership of the token. This transaction is recorded on the blockchain to prove the transfer of ownership.

Sell
Selling is the process where the owner of an NFT or token offers it for sale, either through a marketplace or direct transaction. The sale transfers ownership rights to the buyer once payment is received and the transaction is recorded on the blockchain.

Deposit
Deposit usually refers to transferring tokens from a personal wallet into a platform’s wallet or smart contract, such as a marketplace, staking pool, or game. This step often allows the token to be used within the platform’s ecosystem (e.g., listing for sale or participating in governance).

Withdraw Withdraw is the process of moving tokens or NFTs from a platform’s wallet or smart contract back into a user’s personal wallet. This allows the user to regain full control of their assets outside the platform.

Royalties
Royalties in the NFT world are automated payments to creators every time their NFT is resold on secondary markets. Smart contracts enforce royalties by automatically distributing a percentage of the resale price back to the original creator. This ensures creators continue to benefit financially as their work gains value and changes hands.

The NFT Stack - Elements and Layers of NFTs

Blockchain Layer (Foundation)
Description: The underlying blockchain network (e.g., Ethereum, Solana, Polygon) where NFTs are minted and recorded.

Role: Provides security, decentralization, and immutability for NFT data.

Smart Contract Layer

Description: Code that governs NFT creation (minting), transfers, royalties, and rules.

Role: Automates token logic, enforces ownership, and executes marketplace transactions.

Token Standards Layer

Description: Protocols defining NFT structure (e.g., ERC-721, ERC-1155).

Role: Ensures interoperability and standard functionality across platforms.

Metadata Layer
Description: Descriptive data about the NFT: title, creator, attributes, media link (image, video, audio).

Role: Gives the NFT its unique identity and context.

Storage Layer
Description: Off-chain or on-chain storage for NFT assets and metadata (e.g., IPFS, Arweave).
Role: Stores the actual digital content linked to NFTs.

Marketplace Layer
Description: Platforms where NFTs are bought, sold, and traded (e.g., OpenSea, Rarible).
Role: Facilitates discovery, listing, and exchange of NFTs.

User Interface Layer
Description: Wallets, dApps, and apps users interact with (e.g., MetaMask, NFT wallets).
Role: Provides access for minting, buying, selling, and managing NFTs.

Relationships in between structure:

Each layer builds on the one below it.
Blockchain underpins smart contracts.
Smart contracts enforce token standards.
Token standards define how metadata is structured.
Metadata points to content in storage.
Marketplaces leverage smart contracts and metadata to display NFTs.
Users interact through interfaces to access the entire stack.

Possible use cases beyond research - Expanding NFT imagination

Honestly, beyond the usual stuff like digital art, gaming items, and virtual real estate, I think NFTs could be way more versatile than we’ve seen so far. Here are a few ideas I’ve been thinking about:

Personal Identity & Credentials Imagine using NFTs as secure, verifiable digital IDs or certificates. Things like diplomas, professional licenses, or even vaccination records could be minted as NFTs. That way, I could easily prove my credentials online without worrying about fake documents or data breaches.

Event Access and Memberships NFTs could act as exclusive tickets or membership passes to clubs, concerts, or conferences. Owning a specific NFT might give me VIP access or special perks. Plus, these NFTs could be resold or gifted without losing their value or authenticity.

Collaborative Creative Projects What if groups of artists, writers, or musicians used NFTs to represent co-ownership of a project? Each collaborator could hold a piece of the NFT that tracks contributions and royalties fairly. That would make teamwork and profit-sharing way simpler and transparent.

Real-World Asset Tokenization

I think there’s huge potential in linking NFTs to physical assets like cars, luxury watches, or even collectibles. NFTs could store ownership history, maintenance records, or authenticity proofs. It would make buying and selling real things much safer and more efficient.

Environmental Impact

Tracking NFTs might also help with sustainability efforts. For example, companies could mint NFTs representing carbon credits or proof of eco-friendly practices. Consumers like me could track and even trade these tokens to support greener choices.

Personal Milestones and Memories

I could see people minting NFTs for important life moments, like weddings, graduations,

or family reunions. These tokens could hold digital keepsakes and be passed down as meaningful heirlooms.

So yes, while NFTs are already shaking up art and entertainment, I feel they have way more untapped potential to change how we handle identity, ownership, and even social connections in the future. I’m definitely curious to see where it goes next.