Illia Polosukhin’s Vision: Web3 Needs Focus on User Ownership and Scalability

Focusing on User Empowerment

Illia Polosukhin, the co-founder of Near Protocol, has some strong opinions about where Ethereum’s development should be directed. In an exclusive chat with Cointelegraph, he emphasized the need for innovation that empowers users.

The Simplicity Factor

According to Polosukhin, simplicity of usage is paramount. Developers should be focused on creating solutions that are not just user-friendly but also easily programmable. His direct quote illustrates this well: “We need simplicity of usage. We need easy programmability.” So, if you’re still tangled in a web of complexity, it might be time to take stock!

Rethinking Web3 Infrastructure

He paints a picture of Web3 where users have ultimate control over their data and assets, steering clear of the quest for a single “killer app.” Instead, envision a harmonious ecosystem of applications that work together. “Our goal is that users [are] in control of their data,” Polosukhin explained, which sounds like a refreshing upgrade from Web2’s “We own your data” model.

Scalability and Interoperability: The Holy Grail

For Polosukhin, the challenges of scalability and interoperability are core issues to tackle. With Ethereum still holding court as the reigning smart contract platform, there are glaring deficiencies when it comes to achieving these goals. He believes that leaning heavily on layer 2 solutions might complicate matters.

• Layer 2 solutions could decrease composability.
• Fragmentation may lead to less compatibility.

Near Protocol’s Answer

In contrast, Near Protocol aims to address these challenges through sharding technology—splitting its infrastructure into manageable segments while maintaining composability. “By actually scaling up the composable structure, we allow a lot more applications running closely with each other,” Polosukhin said, which sounds like a party I want to attend!

Bridging the Gap

A fundamental aspect of Near’s composability is the Rainbow Bridge, a protocol allowing seamless asset transfers between Ethereum and Near. Imagine being able to send your tokens as easily as passing notes in class—only with less risk of getting caught by the teacher!

The Developer Incentive

What’s more? Near Protocol is not just focusing on scalability; it is also nurturing one of the fastest-growing development communities in 2021. With easy-to-use programming languages like Java and Rust, developers are finding it approachable. To spice things up, there’s also an enticing $800 million fund to entice developers to build on Near. “Building development of core components… has been very powerful,” Polosukhin shared, hinting at a rich breeding ground for innovation.

Final Thoughts

The future of Web3 might not solely rest on the shoulders of Ethereum. With forward-thinking approaches from innovators like Polosukhin and the initiatives at Near Protocol, we might just find ourselves navigating a more user-centric digital landscape. And who wouldn’t want that?