When will web3 have its Apple moment?

The following is a guest article from Jackie Bona, Co-founder and CEO at Valora.

Five Challenges Standing in the Way of Mass Adoption

In today’s digital world, mobile technology is more than just a convenience—it’s a lifeline connecting billions of people to the internet. With over 8.58 billion mobile phones globally — surpassing the world’s population — smartphones have evolved into essential tools for communication, commerce, and financial management. Despite Web3’s potential to transform industries, financial systems, and digital interactions, it is still awaiting its “Apple moment”—the pivotal event that makes a disruptive technology intuitive and accessible to the masses.

So what’s holding it back? For Web3 to leap from an emerging technology to widespread adoption, it must overcome five major obstacles.

A Lack of Mobile-Native Solutions

Despite smartphones being the primary owned device for billions of users, Web3 applications remain largely confined to desktop environments. Recent reports show that 92.1% of global internet users connect via mobile phones, yet only 8 of the top 100 Web3 dApps on DappRadar offer mobile-native experiences. Why the gap? 

This gap is particularly problematic in emerging markets, where mobile phones are often the sole means of accessing the internet. For example, in countries like Vietnam, India, the Philippines, and South Africa, more than 70% of adults own their mobile devices as their only means of connecting to the internet.

Among the top ecosystems working to close the mobile gap is the Celo Community. As the leading blockchain supporting projects built with a mobile-first approach — including projects like Valora, Mento Labs, and Opera’s Mini Pay — the Celo community is responding to the opportunity to provide practical web3-powered solutions to a mobile-first world. The strategy is already paying off as Celo reached nearly 700,000 daily active addresses using stablecoins in September, demonstrating the appetite for mobile-native solutions. 

Also highlighting how well mobile-first design fits the current market’s need has been the positive response to Opera MiniPay, which has surpassed 3 million wallets across the African continent. By prioritizing ease of use and affordability, Opera MiniPay has made digital finance accessible in regions with limited traditional banking infrastructure, growing their user base. This demonstrates the power of mobile-centric solutions in expanding access to digital assets –  especially in areas where financial inclusion is a key challenge – and underscores the market opportunity for Web3 companies to provide mobile-centric solutions.

Complex User Interfaces

For the average person, interacting with Web3 applications can be an intimidating experience, especially when considering the complexities of managing security and digital assets. Keep in mind that more than two-thirds of Web2 users utilize the same password across all their accounts, highlighting how difficult it can be for mainstream users to navigate the unique requirements of Web3.

Blockchain, decentralized finance (DeFi), and digital wallets often come with steep learning curves including security measures like seed phrases or complex keys, making it challenging for people to engage with the technology confidently. 

While Web3 continues to innovate, its user base has been limited, with only 220 million active addresses recorded in September of this year — a number that pales in comparison to the billions who regularly interact with Web2 platforms.

This hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Web3 community. Nearly 1 in 4 Web3 users cite complicated user interfaces and complex onboarding as barriers to mass adoption. By focusing on simplifying user experiences Web3 platforms can create inviting entry points for individuals who are new to blockchain and decentralized finance.

Low Awareness of Web3

Despite its transformative potential, Web3 remains relatively unknown to the general public. Surveys indicate that only 8% of people are even aware of Web3’s existence, making this low level of awareness one of the biggest hurdles to achieving mainstream adoption.

The lack of awareness is particularly problematic in regions where Web3 could have the most profound impact – emerging markets where traditional banking services are either underdeveloped or inaccessible. 

The World Bank estimates that there are 1.4 billion people in these regions that lack access to financial services. Web3 has the potential to empower these underserved communities by offering decentralized solutions to long-standing issues like access to credit, high transaction fees, and currency instability. However, without effective education and outreach, many individuals remain unaware of how these decentralized technologies could benefit their lives. 

Bridging this gap requires a focused effort to educate users about the real-world applications of Web3. For example, the Valora Learning Program, a partnership between Valora, Tether, and Celo, leverages Valora’s mobile-first design to provide hands-on learning experiences for users in emerging markets.

This initiative has already activated over 75,000 users in Nigeria and is expanding to Vietnam, South Africa, and Brazil to empower even more people through stablecoin adoption and seamless, borderless crypto transactions. Through accessible modules, users can learn while they earn, experiencing the benefits of financial freedom firsthand with USDT and the fully mobile Valora wallet.

Programs like Valora Learn & Earn enable users to understand stablecoin use cases such as secure remittances, savings, and cross-border payments, helping individuals take control of their finances with practical applications that fit into everyday life.

By making educational content accessible on mobile devices, apps like Valora are turning curiosity into meaningful engagement, driving the real-world adoption of Web3 in emerging markets.

The Digital Gap

In many emerging markets, where access to traditional banking and financial services is limited, mobile technology has become the gateway to the global digital economy. However, a significant digital gap persists, with UN experts fearing that 2.7 billion people globally are at risk of not having internet access due to the expense of upgrading broadband infrastructure and outdated technology.   

In countries like Brazil, Turkey, and Vietnam, where crypto adoption is seeing above-average growth, the appetite for digital assets is clear. However, while there are millions of individuals in such emerging markets who own their mobile devices, many respondents cite cost as a reason why they may not be able to have their own. 

An example of how this can be addressed is Jambo’s partnership with the Aptos Foundation. By making affordable smartphones with internet access and Web3 capabilities available to users in over 40 countries across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, Jambo is helping to close the digital gap and bring more emerging market users online. 

As Jambo demonstrated, to truly unlock its potential, the industry needs to meet these customers where they are, and create onboarding ramps that can either help close or circumvent the digital gap.

Moving Beyond Speculation: Stablecoins as Proof of Web3’s Real-World Use

Web3’s reputation has long been tied to speculation and investment, but the recent surge in stablecoin use points to a shift toward practical, real-world applications. Stablecoins — digital assets pegged to traditional currencies like the U.S. dollar — have achieved a significant product-market fit by offering a stable and accessible way for everyday transactions, savings, and cross-border payments, without the volatility that often defines the crypto market. This stability makes stablecoins appealing to users looking for digital tools they can rely on for daily financial needs.

In emerging markets, where banking access remains limited, stablecoins provide a means for individuals to store and transfer value globally, essentially serving as a “bank in their pocket.” Programs that allow users to earn and engage with stablecoins are helping introduce people to digital assets they can use meaningfully in their everyday lives.

Through stablecoins, Web3 is demonstrating how digital assets can deliver value beyond speculation, fostering financial empowerment and stability.

This increase in stablecoin adoption shows that people want more from Web3 than just high-risk returns; they’re looking for dependable digital tools to support their financial lives. By emphasizing stablecoins and other practical applications, Web3 can shift from its speculative image to a system that fosters inclusion, ultimately broadening its appeal and drive greater adoption.

The Path Forward: Embracing Mobile for Web3’s Future

As Web3 stands on the cusp of revolutionizing global industries, financial systems, and digital interactions, its path to mainstream adoption is still hindered by several critical challenges. At the heart of overcoming these obstacles lies a powerful and obvious solution: embracing mobile technology. With the majority of global internet users accessing the internet in the palm of their hands, the transition from desktop-centric platforms to mobile-first solutions is not just necessary — it’s inevitable.

The stakes are high. If Web3 fails to fully embrace mobile technology, it risks remaining confined to a niche audience, limiting its global impact. However, by addressing these five key challenges and fully embracing the mobile revolution, Web3 may finally have its Apple moment.