Monoliths like Google trying to grab a piece of the Web3 pie
Google partners with Coinbase, Near Protocol, BNB —the choice is clear — either say goodbye to decentralization or move to the Internet Computer blockchain
The buzzword Web3 has been associated with one word — “Ownership”. Ownership of assets, data and even the platforms themselves by end users, and not by monopolistic corporations. This is achieved by “decentralization” of data, storage as well as voting using Blockchain technology, instead of trusting a single third party.
However, most blockchain protocols are just using the term Web3 loosely. While some parts of their solutions are on the blockchain, more than 90% of their protocol is hosted on a centralized cloud — nullyfying the possibility of true “decentralized ownership”. This has been true yet not openly spoken about, throughout the journey of Web3.
The latest announcements from Google about their partnerships with Near Protocol, BNB Chain and Coinbase challenge the entire premise of decentralization. With these partnerships, the blockchain protocols are actively promoting the use of centralized Cloud services by Web3 service providers. It’s literally trying to get young Web3 developers to develop Web2 applications under the guise of using Smart Contracts.
Here are the announcements made recently, starting with Near Protocol’s partnership with Google
“We will be supporting NEAR and giving Web3 developers the most secure, reliable, and sustainable cloud infrastructure on which they can build and scale,” Carlos Arena, Director of Digital Assets at Google Cloud.
A similar announcement was made by BNBchain a few weeks back
On the other hand, Google Cloud announced a partnership with Coinbase
This section in this article beautifully summarizes the dichotomy in this relationship
The Google Cloud Platform infrastructure service will initially accept cryptocurrency payments….. thanks to an integration with the Coinbase Commerce service, said Amit Zavery, vice president and general manager and head of platform at Google Cloud. Web3 is a buzzword that has come to stand for decentralized and distributed internet services that can’t be controlled by big internet outfits such as Facebook or Google.
So isn’t what is happening here absolutely against the ethos of blockchain and decentralization? Crypto exchanges and blockchain protocols are openly colluding with the biggest monopolistic players like Google to meet mutual commercial interests. The commercial interests involved are simple — Google sells more Cloud Services, Crypto exchange earns a fee per transaction, and Blockchain Protocols grow faster by fooling devs.
This blasphemy needs to be called out by crypto media, blockchain protocols, dApps, and each stakeholder involved; however since the interests of a lot of people are converging, this is, surprisingly, being celebrated. Like always, in the long-term, the end-users will pay the price
The Internet Computer(IC) blockchain is addressing exactly this issue since its genesis in May 2021. It's time that developers understand what is true decentralization and not fall for deals made in board rooms for the interests of a few. Here are a few highlights of the IC which removes dependence on central cloud services :
- dApps are 100% on-chain, i.e. the front-end as well as back-end, including data storage. There is 0% reliance on central cloud. Developers can build any webservice on-chain, including the Website, sotrage and SmartContracts.
- Bridlegless integrations with the IC remove dependence on Cloud-based Blockchain Oracles. The IC is getting directly integrated with Bitcoin and Ethereum, and also has the capability of making Direct HTTPS calls to Web2 services.
The IC offers web speed, scalability, and affordability with no cloud dependence as a true World Computer for humanity. It’s time Web3 developers stop making compromises and move towards the only real Web3 blockchain protocol.
