Becoming Web3 Native Pt 7: dApps

Think of all the apps you use every day:
✔️ Google Docs for writing
✔️ Venmo for payments
✔️ Twitter for social media
✔️ Dropbox for file storage

Now imagine if no single company owned those apps. No one could censor your content, freeze your payments, or change the rules overnight.

That’s what dApps (decentralized applications) are all about—apps that run on blockchains instead of corporate servers, giving you full control over your data, transactions, and identity.

What is a dApp?

A dApp (decentralized application) is an app that runs on a blockchain instead of being controlled by a company.

✔️ No middlemen—users interact directly with the app.
✔️ Transparent & open-source—anyone can verify the code.
✔️ Secure & censorship-resistant—no single company can take it down.
✔️ Own your data—your account is tied to your crypto wallet, not a platform.

Think of a dApp like an app you already use, but with no central company controlling it.

How dApps Work (The Basics)

Instead of logging in with a username and password, you connect your crypto wallet (like MetaMask).

• Your wallet acts as your identity.

• You interact directly with smart contracts—self-executing code on the blockchain.

• Transactions happen peer-to-peer—without banks, advertisers, or middlemen.

Example: Instead of using PayPal to send money (which charges fees and tracks your data), you use a dApp like Uniswap to swap tokens directly with another person.

Real-Life Examples of dApps (By Category)

Web3 isn’t just about crypto trading—there are dApps for finance, social media, creators, and even cloud storage. Here are four major categories of dApps and how they are replacing traditional Web2 services.

💰 DeFi (Decentralized Finance) dApps

DeFi (short for Decentralized Finance) is the biggest and most developed dApp category. These apps replace banks, brokers, and financial institutions by allowing users to trade, lend, and borrow assets without a middleman. Instead of relying on a bank to approve a loan, DeFi dApps let users borrow from a liquidity pool instantly, often with lower fees and fewer restrictions.

• Uniswap → Swap cryptocurrencies directly, no middlemen.

• Aave → Borrow & lend crypto without a bank.

• MakerDAO → Mint & use decentralized stablecoins (DAI).

✅ Why it matters: No banks, no approvals, no limits. Just peer-to-peer finance.

NFT Marketplaces & Creator dApps

NFT marketplaces and creator-focused dApps are changing how artists, musicians, and writers get paid. Instead of relying on big platforms like Spotify, YouTube, or Amazon, creators can sell their work directly to fans as NFTs, earning more and keeping control of their content.

• OpenSea → The largest NFT marketplace for buying, selling, and trading digital assets.

• Zora → A creator-friendly NFT marketplace with 0% platform fees.

• Mirror → A Web3 publishing platform where writers mint their articles as NFTs and get paid by collectors.

✅ Why it matters: Creators own their work—no middlemen like YouTube or Instagram.

Decentralized Social Media dApps

In Web2, social media platforms own your content, followers, and data. If Twitter bans your account, or Instagram changes its algorithm, you lose everything. Web3 social media dApps give users control over their profiles and content, allowing them to monetize directly and move their followers across platforms.

Some of the most promising Web3 social dApps include:

• Lens Protocol → A decentralized alternative to Twitter, where users own their profiles and can monetize their posts.

• Farcaster → A user-friendly open social network where you can take your audience anywhere.

• Mastodon & Nostr → Open-source, decentralized social platforms that are censorship-resistant.

✅ Why it matters: Web3 social prevents deplatforming and algorithm manipulation, putting power back in the hands of users and creators.

File Storage & Cloud Computing dApps

We store so much of our data in cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud—but these platforms can delete, censor, or expose our files at any time. Decentralized storage dApps allow users to store files securely, forever, with no central authority.

Some of the most popular Web3 storage dApps include:

• Arweave → Permanent, decentralized file storage with a “pay once, store forever” model.

• Filecoin → A decentralized cloud storage network where users get paid for hosting files.

• IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) → A peer-to-peer file storage system that powers much of Web3.

✅ Why it matters: No single company controls your files. You own your data.

How to Use a dApp (Step-by-Step Guide)

📌 Step 1: Get a Crypto Wallet

• MetaMask (Ethereum & Polygon)

• Phantom (Solana)

• Coinbase Wallet (Multi-chain, easy for beginners)

📌 Step 2: Fund Your Wallet

• Buy some ETH, MATIC, or SOL on Coinbase, Binance, or Kraken.

• Transfer it to your wallet.

📌 Step 3: Connect to a dApp

• Go to a dApp website (Uniswap, Lens, OpenSea, etc.).

• Click “Connect Wallet” instead of creating an account.

📌 Step 4: Use the dApp

• Swap tokens on Uniswap.

• Mint an NFT on Zora.

• Post content on Lens Protocol.

📌 Step 5: Track Your Transactions

• Use Etherscan (Ethereum) or Polygonscan (Polygon) to see your transactions.

🎉 Congrats! You just used a Web3 app.

How dApps Are Different from Web2 Apps

In Web3, you control your identity, data, and transactions—not Big Tech.

Risks & Downsides of dApps

⚠️ Gas fees: Many dApps require small fees to process transactions.
⚠️ Learning curve: Crypto wallets and smart contracts take time to understand.
⚠️ No customer support: You’re responsible for your security—no “forgot password” button.

Web3 gives you freedom, but with freedom comes responsibility.

TL;DR: Why dApps Matter

✔️ No middlemen—apps run on blockchains, not corporations.
✔️ Users own their data & accounts—not platforms.
✔️ No permission needed—anyone can use DeFi, NFTs, or Web3 social.
✔️ Peer-to-peer transactions—more privacy, fewer fees.

Web3 isn’t just about speculation—it’s about using dApps to take back control.

🚀 Action Step: Try a dApp This Week

✅ Swap a token on Uniswap (Ethereum) or Jupiter (Solana).
✅ Try a decentralized social app like Lens or Farcaster.
✅ Mint an NFT on Zora for free.
✅ Upload a file to Arweave for permanent storage.

📩 Let us know which dApp you tried! Reply or tag us on Web3 social.

If you are interested in learning more about decentralized applications (dApps) see our expanded articles from our previous edition on dApps and Smart Contracts.

Ready to try out some dApps? Hopefully this guide will both encourage you and make the process simple. Always feel free to contact us with your questions.

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