Web3 technologies enable novel forms of real-time digital human streaming media by supporting both high-fidelity transmission and interactive user engagement. However, Real-Time Streaming Interactive Digital Humans (RTSIDHs) remain vulnerable to network instability, resulting in buffering, latency, visual degradation, and audioâvideo desynchronization that substantially impair user Quality of Experience (QoE). To effectively perceive these distortions, we present RDHQA, the first large-scale RTSIDH Quality Assessment dataset. RDHQA comprises 134 representative interaction scenarios with eight digital human avatars as high-quality references, along with 1,340 distorted samples generated by simulating five common streaming degradations. Based on extensive subjective evaluations, we further propose SAV-PF, an audioâvisual quality assessment method built on the human foundation model Sapiens and informed by cognitive principles such as the primacy effect and forgetting curve. Experimental results demonstrate that SAV-PF achieves superior performance over existing objective QoE assessment approaches, providing a more accurate prediction of user experience. This work is open-sourced at https://github.com/zyj-2000/RDHQA under the CC BY-NC 4.0 licence.
This dissertation investigates how tokenised claims and algorithmic governance reshape interactions in Web3, with a particular focus on business-to-business (B2B) settings. Building on the insight that digital platforms and infrastructures are mutually entangledâplatforms acquiring infrastructural roles and infrastructures accumulating platform logicsâthe study examines how this entanglement reappears in blockchain-based systems and what it means for value creation, value distribution, and institutional control. Rather than assuming decentralization as an outcome, the dissertation asks how governance is actually assembled across code, organizations, and markets, and how these assemblies channel rights, risks, and rents over time. In this sense, the thesis extends platform/infrastructure scholarship into the Web3 domain, showing how infrastructuring and platformization remain co-constitutive under new technical conditions (e.g., programmable settlement, public ledgers, composability). The research is guided by the following question: How does algorithmic governance of tokenised claims affect dynamics of value creation and distribution in Web3? The thesis addresses a gap in extant work by analysing the combined economic and governance consequences of tokenisation in commercial contexts, rather than treating governance as either purely technical (smart contracts) or purely institutional (foundations, standards, regulators). Methodologically, this research adopts a qualitative, interpretive design centred on semi-structured interviews with founders and leads of Web3 projects oriented toward commercialization and enterprise use. Interview evidence is triangulated with document analysis (white papers, governance docs, upgrade logs) to trace how decision rights are allocated, which boundary resources act as chokepoints, and how incentives and accountability are engineered. The sample focuses on projects that tokenise rights and obligations to orchestrate inter-firm exchanges (e.g., guarantees, attribution, royalties), enabling a consistent comparison of governance choices and their distributional signatures. Theoretically, the thesis contributes a layered view of Web3 governance that differentiates transaction governance (smart-contract rules that execute exchanges) from platform governance (meta-rules that structure participation, evolution, and control)âlayers that are interdependent yet analytically distinct. Across cases, transaction governance supplies deterministic settlement (escrows, splits, auctions), while platform governance defines constitutional levers (eligibility schemas, listings, parameter updates, treasury policy, emergency powers). This distinction clarifies why âmore on-chainâ does not automatically imply âmore decentralisedâ: instruments can be automated while decision rights remain concentrated. The framing resonates with and extends platform governance scholarship that locates governance in the ongoing division of decision rights, control mechanisms, and incentives among interdependent actors. Empirically, the thesis identifies three governance modelsâmonocentric, moderately polycentric (P2), and highly polycentric (P1)âand analyses how each allocates rights and rents. Monocentric configurations recentre constitutional authority in a focal hub (firm, foundation, tightly bonded coalition), delivering speed, legal legibility, and coherent risk management, while concentrating surplus upstream via control of boundary resources (standards, registries, upgrade cadence, listings). Moderately polycentric arrangements disperse constitutional authority across overlapping venues (token voters, stewards, committees, standards groups), pairing automated execution at the edge with contestable meta-rules and auditable, replaceable discretion. Highly polycentric designs thin the platform layer and push coordination into markets and minimal, auditable rules (fee markets, open listings, plural oracles), improving neutrality and exit but requiring continuous work to diffuse emergent chokepoints (indices, bridges, relays). The patterns observed align with infrastructure/platform research on how control points shape innovation and value capture and with blockchain governance work emphasizing the allocation of decision and control rights. For B2B contexts, the analysis suggests a pragmatic equilibrium. Applications that demand auditability, finality, and accountable remediation (e.g., elections, trade guarantees) gravitate toward monocentric settlements; applications with heterogeneous actors and rapid iteration (e.g., creator and talent markets) benefit from moderately polycentric designs that preserve micro-level determinism with macro-level contestability. Across models, tokenisation expands what can be coordinated, but distributional outcomes hinge on who controls admission, measurement, and upgrade pathways. Accordingly, the thesis proposes design heuristics: separate transaction and platform governance, publish change logs and revocation paths, pluralise attestors at measurement junctions, time-box mandates, and keep credible exit technically and institutionally real. In sum, the dissertation advances an integrated account of Web3 as a political economy of programmable claims and layered governance. It shows how infrastructuring and platformization fold into one another under blockchain conditions, how distinct governance models redistribute rights and rents, and how B2B value propositions depend as much on constitutional design as on code. The framework equips scholars and practitioners to evaluate Web3 systems not by decentralisation rhetoric, but by the concrete allocation of decision rights, boundary resources, and incentives across layers and venues.
This chapter serves as a powerful conclusion that encapsulates the transformative potential of Web3. It reflects on the journey from centralized systems to a decentralized digital paradigm where blockchain, NFTs, DeFi, and the metaverse redefine ownership, control, and value. This chapter explores how Web3 democratizes data, empowers individuals through self-sovereign identity, and fosters more ethical and inclusive business models. It also discusses the profound societal shifts â redistributing power from a few corporate giants to a diverse, community-driven ecosystem â and addresses ongoing challenges like security, regulation, and scalability. Ultimately, it is a call to action for creators, entrepreneurs, and advocates to actively participate in shaping this future. Web3 is not a distant promise but a present reality, inviting all to build a more transparent, equitable digital world.
In order to improve functionality, security, and user experience, this chapter examines the design and implementation of a Web3 mobile platform that combines blockchain technology with artificial intelligence (AI). The methodology addresses major issues in usability, security, and scalability by employing an exploratory and developmental approach that prioritizes user-centered design principles and iterative feedback loops. The results show that greater trust and uptake of decentralized technologies are fostered by Web3 applications that are easy to use, safe, and scalable. The chapter emphasizes that in order to remove obstacles and build a strong Web3 ecosystem, stakeholdersâincluding developers, investors, regulatory agencies, and usersâmust work together. The work's ramifications highlight how crucial it is to resolve present issues in order to fully utilize Web3 technologies' promise to transform digital interactions.
An embedded software development kit (SDK) is an essential component in an IoT ecosystem. The existing embedded SDKs, while facilitating developers to build centralized, cloud-native IoT applications, are not able to meet the increasing requirements of connecting smart devices to Web3, in particular decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs). To close this gap, we present a universal, open-source embedded SDK called ioConnect in this paper. Built upon the emerging technologies such as the platform security architecture (PSA) and self-sovereign identity (SSI), ioConnect is the first embedded SD K that allows developers to connect smart devices to a decentralized network and create rich and trustworthy device-to-device and device-to-person relationships. ioConnect is designed with a layered architecture coupled with a flexible configuration utility and is able to support a wide range of smart devices with different processing capabilities and memory footprints. Our extensive performance evaluations on two resource-constrained smart devices demonstrate viability and effectiveness of ioConnect when used in practice.
The first conversations about the potential of blockchain technology began with the rise of cryptocurrencies. The first attempts at applying blockchain were focused on storing and transferring value, with cryptocurrencies being used exclusively as a means of payment. Recently the use of blockchain entered a new stage of development â the generation of Web3. The logic behind distributed ledger technologies opened up opportunities for various sectors, from financial services and DeFi to new formats of digital value â tokenization of physical assets and decentralized autonomous organizations. Web3 is a term that describes new models for building digital businesses, applications, and economic relationships between different participants based on distributed ledger technology. Where do the boundaries of Web3 lie? What role does Web3 play in the world, and what place does Russia has in it? Sber's Blockchain Laboratory, in collaboration with the SKOLKOVO School of Management, prepared an analytical report. This research aims to shed light on the basic aspects and risks of the Web3 market and predict changes that will impact existing traditional market business models.
As we stand on the cusp of this transformative era, the road ahead for Web3 and beyond is paved with boundless potential. This journey promises to redefine our digital landscape, fostering an internet where power is decentralized, privacy is paramount, and innovation knows no bounds. It is a future where our digital identities are truly our own, where communities thrive on trustless networks, and where technology empowers rather than controls. As we venture forward, let&s;s embrace the spirit of collaboration and creativity that will drive this revolution. Together, we can build a web that not only reflects our highest ideals but also unlocks new horizons of human potential, forging a brighter, more inclusive digital world for all. âThe best way to predict the future is to invent itâ â Alan Kay
Ken Huang, Youwei Yang, Fan Zhang, Xi Chen ¡ 5 authors
Chapter 10 explores the evolving regulatory landscape surrounding Web3 technologies. It highlights the need for coordinated and adaptive regulations to foster innovation while managing potential risks. The chapter examines the impact of major crypto company collapses in 2022 on regulatory frameworks and emphasizes the importance of proactive measures to protect investors and mitigate risks. It delves into the regulatory landscapes in the United States, the European Union, China, and Web3-friendly countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Germany, and Switzerland. The chapter covers key initiatives, including the Executive Order Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets and the Responsible Financial Innovation Act in the United States, as well as stablecoin regulations and regulatory challenges related to decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). It also explores the intersection of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Web3, emphasizing the challenges of privacy and compliance. Overall, the chapter provides a comprehensive overview of regulatory considerations in Web3, addressing innovation, consumer protection, financial stability, and privacy concerns. It emphasizes the importance of regulatory coordination and adaptation to promote innovation while safeguarding against potential risks.
Ken Huang, Youwei Yang, Fan Zhang, Xi Chen ¡ 5 authors
Chapter 4 examines the scaling of Web3 to support widespread adoption. It first discusses why scalability is crucial for Web3, enabling it to handle high transaction volumes and users such as centralized systems. Scalability refers to the ability to sustain performance amid growth. Key factors are number of users, response time, storage, transaction costs, and throughput. Scalability is challenging due to the blockchain trilemma of decentralization, security, and scalability. Solutions involve optimizations at the network layer (layer 0), blockchain layer (layer 1), and Off-chain layer (layer 2). Layer 0 focuses on data transfer, using protocols such as BloXroute. Layer 1 aims to improve the blockchain itself via methods like sharding or new consensus algorithms. Layer 2 leverages Off-chain processing via rollups, sidechains, and state channels. Each layer has trade-offs. Rollups bundle transactions Off-chain using zero-knowledge proofs or fraud proofs before validating On-chain. Sidechains process transactions externally to relieve the main chainâs load. State channels allow Off-chain transfers between participants. No single scaling approach fits all cases. A combination of solutions across layers tailored to the application offers the most potential.
Ken Huang, Youwei Yang, Fan Zhang, Xi Chen ¡ 5 authors
This chapter establishes the intellectual groundwork for the shift from traditional web paradigms to a decentralized digital future. It begins by tracing the evolution from Web1 â a static, information-centric era â to Web2, characterized by interactive, user-generated content and the rise of social media. The chapter then introduces Web3 as a transformative leap, driven by blockchain technology, digital wallets, and decentralized applications (dApps) that empower individuals with true ownership over their digital assets and data. Real-world examples in decentralized finance, non-fungible tokens, and social networks illustrate how these innovations challenge centralization and reshape online interactions. Additionally, the discussion highlights ongoing challenges such as usability, security, and regulatory uncertainty, laying a solid foundation for understanding Web3âs revolutionary potential.
The Web3 ecosystem is highly fragmented, making seamless integration difficult for over a billion Web2 businesses, enterprises, and AI protocols. As blockchains, rollups, and app-specific chains expand, cross-chain interactions remain inefficient, and liquidity is deeply fragmented. AI systems lack standardized blockchain access, limiting autonomous functionality. Intent-based interactions, crucial for AI-driven automation, face scalability issues due to the absence of robust execution platforms. Meanwhile, the current solver ecosystem is centralized, as liquidity rebalancing remains a challenge due to a lack of developer-friendly tools. Dojima's Omnichain Web introduces a universal framework that abstracts blockchain complexity, bridging Web2, Web3, and AI. At its core, OmniRollups facilitate scalable execution across chains, while the Omni Sequencer ensures atomic, secure intent processing. Linera microchains enable AI-driven transaction automation, seamlessly integrating with Web3 data streams. Ragno Network decentralizes L1 infrastructure, optimizing cross-chain liquidity flows, while the Proof Network enhances cryptographic security for omnichain transactions. Finally, the Builder Marketplace introduces a solver-driven execution layer, allowing developers to build and monetize intent-based applications without liquidity constraints. By fostering a composable marketplace at the intersection of Web2 and Web3, Omnichain Web enables the seamless flow of data, value, and computation. This framework mirrors the internet, bridging Web3 decentralization with Web2 scale to drive the next wave of adoption.
Satya Siddhartha Balanagu, G. Sreenath, R. Shruthi, Shrividya Guruprasad ¡ 5 authors
In this paper, we explore the challenges faced by Non-Fungible Token (NFT) markets within the ever-changing digital landscape, particularly concerning diminishing trust and user engagement. We advocate for a strategic overhaul in the design of NFT marketplaces to tackle these issues head-on. Our proposed approach prioritizes intuitive user interfaces, immersive features, and robust security measures, all aimed at reigniting user enthusiasm and revitalizing market activity. Through the incorporation of advanced AI technology for image feature extraction and the implementation of a sophisticated search engine with keyword matching, our platform facilitates seamless NFT discovery. Additionally, by integrating educational resources, we aim to clarify NFT concepts, thereby enhancing user comprehension and confidence. This research contributes to the ongoing evolution of NFT ecosystems, fostering a trusted and dynamic environment conducive to exploration and creation.
This paper aims to analyze and improve user experience (UX) in cryptocurrency applications. The study takes an interdisciplinary approach combining UX design principles, behavioral economics, and fintech innovation. Key UX challenges are identified, including cognitive complexity, security concerns, limited integration with traditional finance, and the impact of volatility. Innovative solutions are proposed with a focus on intuitive interfaces, educational elements and hybrid financial instruments. As an example, a cryptocurrency card with a line of credit function was presented. Quantitative results show a significant improvement in usability metrics: SUS scores improved, user retention rates increased, and key transaction times decreased. The study concludes that improving UX is critical for cryptocurrency adoption and integration into the global financial system. Future research directions include longitudinal studies on the impact of UX, developing standardized metrics, and exploring cultural factors of cryptocurrency interface perception.
Laura Ricci, Barbara Guidi, Andrea Michienzi, Andrea Tagarelli ¡ 5 authors
Web3 describes the next generation of the Internet, built on top of various technologies, such as Blockchain Technology, Semantic Web, etc. Web3 proposal claims a vision of the Internet that can cut the intermediation of Big tech companies by completely decentralizing the web through blockchain technology, which enables the integration of cryptocurrencies and tokens in many social media platforms, currently referred to as Blockchain Online Social Media (BOSMs) platforms. These give the possibility both to reward users for their social actions and to define Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), digital assets representing real-world objects like art, collectibles, music, game items, videos, and even tickets creating a new form of decentralized finance, called Social Finance (SocialFi). BOSMs give users the possibility to monetize and tokenize their social influence, and they act as the common ground for the sale or transfer of NFTs. In this paper, we propose an overview of AWESOME, a framework for advanced analysis of Web3 BOSMs, specifically conceived to suit their nature based on intertwined and stratified social and economic contexts. We highlight the characteristics of the framework by describing the objectives and we present the preliminary results. Furthermore, the paper proposes a classification of current Web3 BOSMs, which improves the literature by taking into account the changes and the new applications of Web3 Social Media, which now include Virtual Worlds and Gaming platforms.
With the large increase in the adoption of blockchain technologies, their underlying peer-to-peer networks must also scale with the demand. In this context, previous works highlighted the importance of ensuring efficient and resilient communication for the underlying consensus and replication mechanisms. However, they were mainly focused on mainstream, Proof-of-Work-based Distributed Ledger Technologies like Bitcoin or Ethereum. In this paper, the problem is investigated in the context of consensus-validation based blockchains, like the XRP Ledger. The latter relies on a Federated Byzantine Agreement (FBA) consensus mechanism which is proven to have a good scalability in regards to transaction throughput. However, it is known that significant increases in the size of the XRP Ledger network would be challenging to achieve. The main reason is the flooding mechanism used to disseminate the messages related to the consensus protocol, which creates many duplicates in the network. Squelching is a recent solution proposed for limiting this duplication, however, it was never evaluated quantitatively in real-life scenarios involving the XRPL production network. In this paper, our aim is to assess this mechanism using a real-life controllable testbed and the XRPL production network, to assess its benefit and compare it to alternative solutions relying on Named Data Networking and on a gossip-based approach.
Web3 is leading a wave of the next generation of web services that even many Web2 applications are keen to ride. However, the lack of Web3 background for Web2 developers hinders easy and effective access and transition. On the other hand, Web3 applications desire encouragement and advertisement from conventional Web2 companies and projects due to their low market shares. In this article, we propose a seamless transition framework that transits Web2 to Web3, named WEBTTCOM [WEBTTCOM stands for Web2 (two)âWeb3 (three) Communicator], after exploring the connotation of Web3 and the key differences betweenWeb2 andWeb3 applications.We also provide a full-stack implementation as a use case to support the proposed framework, followed by performance evaluation and surveys with ~1000 participants that show ~80% positive and ~20% neutral responses. We confirm that the proposed framework WEBTTCOM addresses the defined research question, and the implementation well satisfies the framework WEBTTCOM in terms of strong necessity,usability, andcompletenessbased on the survey results.
Ioannis Nikolaou, ÎÎľĎÎ˝ÎŻÎ´ÎąĎ ÎνθĎĎÎżĎ ÎťÎżĎ
The emergence of Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) in the past decade has challenged our imagination to discover new, innovative and disruptive solutions to problems in domains ranging from finance and healthcare to supply chain and Smart Cities. However, the enormous energy consumption that has been observed in some of the most successful DLT applications raises the question of their long term sustainability. This article reviews the standardization efforts of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to provide guidelines to regulators and policy makers for making informed decisions on the applicability and sustainability of DLT architectures from the point of view of energy consumption.
This paper studies the market structure impact of cheaper and faster chains on the Uniswap v3 Protocol. The Uniswap Protocol is the largest decentralized application on Ethereum by both gas and blockspace used, and user behaviors of the protocol are very sensitive to fluctuations in gas prices and market structure due to the economic factors of the Protocol. We focus on the chains where Uniswap v3 has the most activity, giving us the best comparison to Ethereum mainnet. Because of cheaper gas and lower block times, we find evidence that the majority of swaps get better gas-adjusted execution on these chains, liquidity providers are more capital efficient, and liquidity providers have increased fee returns from more arbitrage. We also present evidence that two second block times may be too long for optimal liquidity provider returns, compared to first come, first served. We argue that many of the current drawbacks with AMMs may be due to chain dynamics and are vastly improved with cheaper and faster transactions