If Web3 is the future, how can we onboard the masses via email?
In Web3, innovation can often seem like an all-or-nothing situation. Considering that the NFT space is driven by decentralization and thrives on transformative ideologies around the rise of crypto, AI and non-fungibility, the tolerance level for technologies perceived as obsolete feels significantly low.
However, the future currently being created on the blockchain is not necessarily a zero-sum game against Web2. The truth remains that iteration is sometimes the only way forward when adopting revolutionary technology. To create the world of tomorrow, we must learn from the world of the past.
While many links have already been established between the NFT space and the more mainstream channels of consumerism, a new avenue with the potential to bring the masses into the weird wide world of non-fungibles has arrived. And it’s… sending NFTs via email?
Inbox, outbox, NFTs
Over the past few years, Unlock Protocol has emerged as a popular one-stop shop for developers looking to create and maintain membership and subscription-based NFTs. As an open source protocol, Unlock is considered a game changer in membership contract management, mass flydrop mechanics, token gating, NFT tickets and more. Now this stalwart Web3-focused service has taken a big step forward (back?) by implementing email airdrop capabilities to its laundry list of tools.
In February 2023, the Unlock Protocol announced that it had created the ability for NFTs to be sent directly via email. By extending the already established tools that allow creators and developers to send NFTs directly to a user’s wallet and notify them via email, the same builds can now airdrop NFTs directly to a user via email, even if the recipient do not have a crypto wallet.
When someone is emailed an NFT, they will receive an email with a link to where they can view it, as well as a QR code that reveals the NFT’s details (which is undoubtedly useful for Unlock’s NFT ticket usage). In the same email, the user can click on a link to transfer the NFT to a self-service wallet.
Does it make sense to email NFTs in Web3?
The potential of this unique tool is obvious. Considering the hurdles the average Joe has to jump through to learn about NFTs and eventually create his own wallet to start collecting, any service that purports to lower the barrier to entry into Web3 is an inherent win for the place. Right?
Well, yes and no.
As previously mentioned, there is a need for a bridge between web2 and web3. Because the only place for Web3 users to come from is web2. Similar to how the Proof of Attendance Protocol aims to memorialize the NFT experience and act as a user’s first foray into both membership rewards and Soulbound Tokens (everything from the security of an email or app UX), Unlocks e-NFTs can give those outside the blockchain another easy way to gain exposure to Web3.
But can email NFTs really act as a resource to get on board these web2 crowds? Similar to how major brands refuse to use the term NFT when venturing into the world of “digital collectibles”, so does a rose by any other name. not smells just as sweet. Representing NFTs in this way is not necessarily helpful in communicating the viability of the technology.
There is also something to be said for these Web3 innovation maximalists. For the countless individuals who have done their due diligence and delved into the inner layer of NFT usability, sending tokens via email can feel like a step backwards, as it is far less innovative than conducting peer-to-peer transactions. to-peer and send NFT’s wallet to wallet. .
Skepticism and reluctance aside, but if we consider the north star of Web3 to drive mainstream adoption, then email NFTs do make sense as part of the larger web2 technology initiative to become a steward of blockchain innovation. While this centralized messaging technology may seem antiquated, considering that the total number of email users worldwide in 2022 was estimated to be around 4.3 billion, those leading the charge of the masses onto the blockchain would not ignore its potential.
