Becoming Web3 Native Pt 3: Setting Up Your Web3 Identity

This is Part 3 of our 8 part series on how you can use Web3 in your everyday life.

Part 3: Setting Up Your Web3 Identity

In the traditional digital world, your identity is controlled by Google, Facebook, and other centralized platforms—and they can restrict access at any time. With a Web3 identity, you get a decentralized and secure way to log into apps, manage your online presence, and even build a digital reputation that you own. From setting up an ENS domain (yourname.eth) to using your wallet as a universal login, this section will show you how to take back control of your digital identity and create an online presence that’s truly yours.

What is a Web3 Identity?

A Web3 identity is a decentralized digital identity that can be used across apps, websites, and financial services without relying on a centralized provider (like Google or Facebook). It is often tied to:

✅ Your Web3 Wallet – Your wallet address (like MetaMask) can act as your login for decentralized apps.
✅ ENS (Ethereum Name Service) or Other Domain Names – Instead of using a long wallet address, you can create a human-readable identity (like yourname.eth).
✅ On-Chain Reputation – Your past transactions, contributions to communities, and digital assets build up your trustworthiness online.
✅ Decentralized Social Media & Content – You can use your Web3 identity to log into decentralized platformswithout giving up your data.

Think of it like a universal passport for Web3 applications—one that you control, rather than a third-party corporation.

Why Should Everyday People Set Up a Web3 Identity?

Right now, most of us have an online identity that’s completely controlled by corporations. Your social media accounts, bank logins, and even email access depend on centralized companies that can suspend, restrict, or take them away at any time. Worse, your data is constantly being collected, sold, and used to target you with ads.

A Web3 identity is about flipping that model. It’s about owning your online presence in a way that’s decentralized, portable, and secure. Instead of being at the mercy of platforms like Facebook, Google, or Twitter, your Web3 identity allows you to control your digital footprint across different applications.

But what does that actually mean in practice? Let’s break it down.

Here are the top reasons why an everyday person should consider setting up a Web3 identity:

1. No More Platform Lock-In (Own Your Digital Presence)

• If you use Google or Facebook to log into services, you’re locked into their ecosystem.

• If your account gets banned, hacked, or suspended, you can lose access to everything.

• With Web3 logins, you own your identity and can use it across multiple apps without a central authority controlling it.

2. Simplify Your Crypto & Web3 Transactions

• Instead of dealing with long wallet addresses (like 0x4jH2...8bA1), you can set up an ENS domain (like johnsmith.eth).

• Makes sending and receiving crypto easier (e.g., sending ETH to johnsmith.eth instead of a complicated wallet address).

• You can link your Web3 identity to multiple wallets and services in a secure and user-friendly way.

3. Privacy & Control Over Your Data

• Web3 identities remove the need for passwords—instead, you authenticate with your wallet.

• You don’t have to share personal data (email, phone number, or credit card) just to access a service.

• No more corporate tracking or selling of your data like traditional social media platforms do.

4. Build Your Online Reputation & Digital Resume

• Your Web3 identity can be a verifiable record of your work, contributions, and ownership.

• For freelancers and remote workers: Clients can verify your reputation based on your wallet history (e.g., past payments, contributions to open-source projects).

• For creators and artists: You can prove ownership of your content without worrying about fake accounts or content theft.

5. Participate in Decentralized Communities & Governance

• Many Web3 projects have community-run governance where users vote with their Web3 identity.

• Example: DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations) allow you to vote on project decisions based on your contributions.

✅ A Web3 identity gives you influence over decentralized apps and projects in a way traditional platforms don’t.

How to Set Up a Web3 Identity (Beginner’s Guide)

Setting up a Web3 identity is simple. Here’s how you can do it in just a few steps:

Step 1: Get a Web3 Wallet (Your Digital Passport)

• Download MetaMask, Trust Wallet, or Coinbase Wallet (if you don’t have one already).

• This will serve as your login for many Web3 services.

Step 2: Get an ENS Domain (Your Web3 Username)

• ENS (Ethereum Name Service) lets you register a human-readable name instead of a long wallet address.

• Example: Instead of 0x7D62...AbF1, you can have yourname.eth.

• Go to https://ens.domains or unstoppable domains and search for an available name, and buy it using ETH. Unstoppable domains allows you to use a credit card if you prefer.

Step 3: Connect Your Identity to Web3 Apps

• Use your ENS name to sign in to Web3 platforms, like:

  • Lens Protocol (Decentralized Social Media)

  • Decentralized job networks & marketplaces

  • Voting on DAOs

Step 4: Secure Your Web3 Identity

• NEVER share your seed phrase.

• Store your identity details securely using a hardware wallet (like Ledger or Trezor) for extra protection.

What’s the Real-World Benefit of a Web3 Identity?

💡 Your Web3 identity is your personal brand in the decentralized world.

• For casual users: It simplifies using Web3 apps, making transactions, and maintaining privacy.

• For freelancers & entrepreneurs: It’s a digital resume and payment system that works globally.

• For social media users: It protects your identity from being banned or locked out by centralized platforms.

🔹 And the best part? It takes less than 10 minutes to set up.

So, why not take the first step? Start small—set up a wallet, claim your ENS domain, and explore how Web3 identity puts you back in control of your online presence.

How to Set Up an ENS (Ethereum Name Service) Identity

1. Go to ENS domains (https://ens.domains) and search for an available name.

2. Purchase your ENS domain (e.g., yourname.eth).

3. Link it to your wallet and other Web3 services.

How to Set Up an Upstoppable Domains Identity

Unstoppable has a great help center/user guide with several articles to assist you with buying a doman, setting up a profile, or connecting to social media. It is defnintely worth checking out!

Final Thoughts: Should You Set Up a Web3 Identity?

If you care about:
✅ Owning your digital identity instead of renting it from corporations
✅ Sending & receiving crypto easily with a human-readable name
✅ Keeping your data private while logging into Web3 apps
✅ Building an online reputation that’s independent of big tech

… then setting up a Web3 identity is a smart move.

Other parts of this edition:

• Part 1: Web3 Wallets- Your Passport to Web3

• Part 2: Learn By Doing: How to Use DeFi

• Part 4: Buying Cryptocurrency

Editorial: So You Wanna Be Web3 Native? Let's Go!

Case Study: How Sarah Went from Web3 Newbie to Web3 Native (and Why It Changed Her Life)

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