You're considering a career shift to Web3. What sets it apart from Web2 roles?

The primary difference in the web3 space is understanding how system design works. System design in the web3 space is a lot different from traditional client and server architecture. You having to consider the blockchain you are connecting to, RPC servers to request information from the chain and smart contracts to execute different logic.

Web3 differs fundamentally from Web2 by using blockchain for decentralized applications (dApps) rather than centralized servers. Roles involve creating systems where users interact directly with smart contracts, not intermediaries. Understanding blockchain and decentralization principles is key in Web3.

Web3 shifts control from centralized platforms to decentralized networks, focusing on ownership, privacy, and user sovereignty. Unlike Web2, where data is owned by companies, in Web3, users control their own data through technologies like blockchain and smart contracts. This transition offers a more transparent, equitable internet where governance is distributed across participants, opening up new opportunities for building trustless systems.

Development Stack for Web2 vs Web3: Web2: Web2 developers use common tools like JavaScript frameworks (React, Angular), relational databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL), and centralized cloud platforms (AWS, Azure). Web3: Web3 developers work with blockchain-related technologies like Solidity, Rust (for smart contract development), decentralized storage systems (IPFS, Filecoin), and utilize consensus mechanisms like proof-of-work (PoW) or proof-of-stake (PoS). Familiarity with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and various blockchain SDKs is essential.

Web3 roles require specialized skills like programming in Solidity for Ethereum or Rust for Solana, cryptographic principles, and smart contract development. Unlike Web2, Web3 demands expertise in building secure, decentralized systems capable of operating autonomously.

In Web3, technical skills go beyond traditional coding. You’ll need to understand cryptography, consensus mechanisms, and tokenomics. Unlike Web2 roles, Web3 developers work with decentralized applications (dApps), smart contracts, and distributed ledgers, requiring fluency in languages like Solidity and a deep understanding of blockchain infrastructure.

Design in Web3 focuses on user sovereignty and intuitive interfaces for dApps. It's about creating systems that empower users to control digital assets securely while offering a seamless experience, emphasizing trustless, transparent interactions.

Web3’s decentralized nature reshapes user experience (UX) design. It's not just about intuitive interfaces but ensuring security, transparency, and privacy in every interaction. Designers must understand self-sovereign identity, wallet integration, and permissionless systems. Unlike Web2, where design optimizes for engagement, Web3 prioritizes user empowerment and trust.

Web3 introduces tokenomics, shifting from traditional Web2 models like advertising. Roles involve designing digital economies, creating and managing tokens that incentivize behavior in decentralized networks, requiring an understanding of blockchain economics.

Web3 introduces tokenized ecosystems and incentive structures that allow users to actively participate in governance and revenue-sharing models. Unlike Web2's ad-based economy, Web3 relies on mechanisms like staking, governance tokens, and decentralized finance (DeFi), empowering users to shape the economic environment through direct participation in decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs).

Community is central in Web3. Roles extend beyond tech development to include community management, as many projects are open-source. You'll need both technical and soft skills to engage with and grow a project's user base in a governance-driven environment.

The difference between Web2 BD and Web3 BD is rooted in community focus. In Web2, BD often focuses on centralized structures—working within established companies, hitting conventional KPIs, and signing standard contracts. In Web3, the landscape shifts significantly. Here, BD is deeply intertwined with community engagement. You’re not just working with individuals or companies but with decentralized organizations where decision-making might involve token holders or DAOs.

Web3 roles carry ethical considerations due to blockchain's transformative power. You'll need to navigate privacy, data security, and equitable access, addressing the environmental impact and ensuring the responsible development of decentralized systems.