How DLT Could Affect Web Surfing

Traditional internet browsers are still the gateway to internet for users, but will they retain their place in the new order? And what role will blockchain play in the future of internet browsing?

Recently, the Opera browser officially launched a blockchain browser, called Opera Touch, for gadgets operating on Apple's iOS software, as it was initially available for only PCs and Android devices at the end of 2018.

A distinctive feature of the browser is the presence of all the necessary infrastructure to work with the Web 3.0.

"We believe that the Web of today will be the interface to the decentralized web of tomorrow. With built-in crypto wallet, the browser has the potential to renew and extend its important role as a tool to access information, make transactions online and manage users' online identities in a way that gives them more control. That's why integrated blockchain technologies across our browsers - on Android, iOS and in the PC browser which accesses the crypto wallet in one of the mobile browsers."

"Already now, we also have a dapp explorer and Web 3 integration, which means that, using Opera you can browse web 3.0 and use dApps seamlessly, by typing in or searching for their web address, and simply accessing them via the browser."

In addition to the crypto wallet, the browser has a built-in VPN service, an integrated Tor browser and a Bitcoin micropay system.

According to Stephen Waterhouse, co-founder and CEO of Orchid Labs, thanks to micropayments in the Ethereum blockchain, the Orchid network will be completely decentralized, unlike a VPN.Open-source Beaker browserOne of the most recent examples of decentralized browsers is the open-source P2P browser Beaker.

Future for new browsers or not?The era of the Web 3.0 promises to significantly change users' experience.

There are many unknown variables in this story: How will internet technologies like Big Data and artificial intelligence play a part? How exactly will the transition to decentralized data storage and processing occur? What will DApps' structure look like and what role will browsers play in it?

At the moment, the so-called Web 3.0 browsers are hybrid structures, which are based on the software we are used to - but with the addition of extensions that support decentralized apps and crypto wallets.