While the rise of web3 has often been marked by hype and excitement, it’s the mundane use-cases that really move us toward the mass adoption of blockchain tech.
Blockchain – The Next Evolution
As we have often said, the road to mass adoption is a bumpy one. For the past several years, it’s been amazingly easy for many “normies” to write this new technology off as an overhyped trend, or (even worse) as some sort of gimmick. But as any of us who have been pioneering in this space since its earliest days can assure you, it’s anything but a gimmick.
Blockchain represents a fundamental shift in the way information is shared and managed in the digital era. In just a few short decades, computer technology has advanced in ways that previous generations couldn’t have imagined. The widespread adoption of new tools such as home computers and (more recently) smartphones has led to unprecedented levels of connectivity and a world of new possibilities.
Blockchain tech has the power and potential to decentralize numerous world industries, giving users power, freedom and control like they have never known. In the past, all consumers have been required to put their trust in companies whose coffers made it possible for them to take advantage of the latest technology. But as state-of-the-art tech has consistently been shared with consumers faster and faster, it is now possible for decentralized networks to take shape and start running things that were previously managed by centralized corporations.
Even while crypto and blockchain advocates have been talking for years about the seemingly endless quest for “mass adoption,” the growth of blockchain technology has ultimately been running its course like any technology. In reality, mass adoption of blockchain doesn’t rely on hype, trends or the enthusiastic endorsement of multimedia influencers and crypto personalities. In fact, it’s very possible that these evangelisticapproaches have slowed the march toward mass adoption rather than expedited it. When fanatics are shouting loudly with glitz and glamor, it’s easy for more discerning and pragmatic individuals to become skeptical.
Moore’s Law
In 1965, a man named Gordon E. Moore (co-founder of Intel) famously predicted that the number of transistors in computer chips would double approximately every 2 years.
While Moore initially expected this pattern to hold true for at least 10 years, it has consistently proven itself for more than five decades
In 2020, the total amount of data created, captured, copied and consumed globally was 64.2 zettabytes. This amounts to almost exactly 5 doublings, adhering quite precisely to Moore’s Law:
The decentralized power of blockchain systems is not in the identity of blockchain, but the benefits created by them. While in the early days of web3 it was possible to gather a certain degree of attention by labeling a project as “blockchain,” now it’s all about what your project can do, rather than how it was built.
In the same way that we are typically unable to see the internal operations of our computers and phones with our own eyes, there has never been a real need (beyond the trend) to peer under the surface of blockchain technology, at least for 99% of its users.
While the transparent Swatch with inner workings exposed had its glory day in the late eighties, most watch-wearers would prefer today to hide those operations behind a shiny casing. In the web3 world, a user is far more likely to care about the ease with which they can transact on a platform than the smart contracts behind the scenes that make their (often complex) transaction possible.
There are of course many blockchain fanatics today who are absolutely fascinated with the internal details (The GalaChain team is among them). Still, mass adoption for this budding technology means it will be used to improve various industries throughout the world, without always taking a starring role.
For the rest of this blog, let’s explore some of the “mundane milestones” that prove blockchain is just getting started. These are the unsung heroes in the fight for mass adoption against the corporate giants who have run the show for so long in the web2 era.
Mundane Milestones
Supply Chain Transparency in Retail
Transparency in retail supply chains is an unsung hero of the blockchain revolution.
In recent years, several major retailers have already adopted blockchain technology to enhance supply chain transparency, allowing consumers to trace the journey of products from origin to store shelf. For instance, Carrefour has implemented blockchain to provide detailed information about the nature and origin of their products, enabling shoppers to access data such as harvest dates, cultivation locations, and safety certifications by scanning a QR code on the food label or packaging.
After a multitude of supply chain issues following the pandemic of 2020 and 2021, IBM is offering corporate blockchain solutions to enhance transparency and tracking for supply chains, acknowledging that 73% of consumers have reported that traceability of products is important to them.
Similarly, Desigual has deployed blockchain solutions to improve visibility in their supply chain, marking an important step towards greater transparency and accountability in meeting customer needs.
These initiatives reflect a broader trend among retailers to leverage blockchain for building trust and ensuring product authenticity.
Insurance Claims Processing
Insurance claims can be automated on an unprecedented scale thanks to blockchain.
The insurance industry has always relied on reports and records, especially when it comes to things like processing claims and underwriting new policies. Blockchain tech is increasingly being adopted in claims processing to enhance efficiency, transparency and security.
For example, Lemonade, Inc. has implemented blockchain-based parametric insurance for Kenyan farmers, using smart contracts to automatically process claims based on predefined events like droughts with no need for intervention by human agents. This system has already been proven effective in 2023 as ~7000 farmers successfully received payouts due to drought conditions.
Another example of insurance utilizing blockchain is Etherisc, the decentralized insurance platform. By using blockchain and smart contracts to streamline various insurance processes, Etherisc is able to automate many of the processes involved with insurance claims, reducing overhead and minimizing the threat of fraud.
Tokenization brings new possibilities of fractional ownership to real estate markets.
Tokenization of real estate ownership is on the rise, representing one of the simplest ways for blockchain technology to streamline an already thriving industry. Tokenized real estate can make fractional ownership easier than ever, allowing investors to buy portions of property without the need for substantial capital.
In an early example of real estate tokenization from way back in 2018, a Colorado resort called St. Regis Aspen made history with a first-of-its kind REIT (real estate investment trust) IPO, selling $18M worth of shares in its property as blockchain tokens.
This elegant use case for tokenization has led to the creation of several blockchain-based real estate platforms that enable fractional ownership and the benefits of tokenized trading, such as HoneyBricks and Lofty.
Decentralized Identity (DID) is an emerging blockchain-adjacent technology field that allows individuals to manage digital identities without having to rely on centralized authorities. By using blockchain and other decentralized technologies, DID can enhance privacy and security, giving users the ability to control their own personal information and share it selectively with various service providers. Here are some of the ways that DID can transform the efficiency of various public services:
Citizen Services – Governments can use DID to issue decentralized identities to citizens, facilitating easy access to services such as passport renewals, tax filing and voter registration. These uses could drastically reduce bureaucratic hurdles in traditionally inefficient areas.
Enhanced Privacy – DID systems have the potential to greatly reduce threats and breaches of privacy with personal data.
Interoperability – DID frameworks are designed to fit into larger systems, promoting a new standard of interoperability to different kinds of platforms and services.
One major example of DID in action is China RealDID, China’s national decentralized identity system that was launched in late 2023. This program allows Chinese residents to access online services with DID addresses and private keys.
Blockchain tech is also being adopted in the medical field, especially with clinical trials, to enhance the management of health records. There are a few key benefits:
Data integrity – Blockchain can ensure that health records are tamper-proof, maintaining authentic and reliable data through the duration of a clinical trial. This consistency and reliability are crucial for not just the validity of the findings, but for regulatory compliance issues.
Transparency – The transparent nature of blockchain allows researchers, participants and regulators to access and verify data in real-time, helping to foster greater trust and collaboration.
Efficiency in sharing data – Blockchain makes it possible to seamlessly and securely share health records among authorized parties, reducing the delays and administrative burdens that often come with more traditional methods of data exchange.
Huge strides have already been made for blockchain in the field of medical research and record-keeping, especially surrounding clinical trials for new treatments and medicines.
While this issue will be a long-term challenge and a tough nut to crack, blockchain databases stand to solve the multitudinous problems of managing intellectual property in the internet era. Digital piracy has been an ongoing concern in every growth stage of the internet, from pirated music and torrents to stolen art minted as NFTs and sold for huge sums.
Now, with the often chaotic addition of AI generated material in all forms, it is as difficult as ever to attribute proper credit to the owner of any digital asset. Blockchain protocols and projects are already working on solving these problems by addressing the following:
Proof of creation and ownership – Blockchain allows owners to timestamp their work to establish verifiable evidence of its creation and their ownership. Particularly valuable in copyright disputes, this evidence would provide an immutable record of when a work was created. For example, Bernstein.io, SaharaLabs.ai and others are creating a framework to track and protect creative intellectual property using blockchain.
Automated licensing and royalty distribution – One of the biggest challenges of managing IP is ensuring that the creator is paid, a problem that is solvable by blockchain using well-placed smart contracts.
Supply chain transparency and anti-counterfeiting – Blockchain can track the provenance of goods to ensure authenticity. By recording each step of a product’s journey, consumers and companies can verify the legitimacy of their goods. The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) founded an Anti-Counterfeiting Forum in an effort to establish blockchain ecosystems to protect trademarks and designs.
In the journey toward mass adoption of web3 technologies, it’s often the understated advancements that drive significant progress.
While high-profile developments, volatile token price swings and NFT rug pulls easily capture headlines, it’s the integration of blockchain into everyday processes (like those described above) that truly propels innovation. These “mundane milestones” may not always garner widespread attention, but they lay the essential groundwork for a more decentralized and efficient future, moving the needle of innovation in meaningful ways.
GalaChain is Ready
Whatever the industry and whatever the problem, there’s a good chance that GalaChain is in a great position to help solve it. This layer-1 blockchain has the speed, scalability and security needed to tackle serious issues in numerous world industries, no matter how insignificant they seem. So here’s the next big innovations in the adoption of blockchain technology for a better future… Here’s to the unsung heroes… Here’s to the Mundane Milestones.
It’s been a wild ride over the past few years as blockchain games have gained footing in the mainstream gaming world. There’s still a long way to go to the web3 mass adoption for gaming that will see real ownership and reward potential in all games, but tremendous progress has clearly been made. Among other pioneers in this space, GalaChain is building the blockchain infrastructure that can potentially power the future of own-your-experience gaming.
These are exciting times for web3 creators, but another area of groundbreaking technology has been rising even faster: artificial intelligence. From AI-generated commercials to computers literally doing kids’ homework for them, the impact of large language models like ChatGPT has been huge.
There will be tons of interesting ways for web3 and AI technologies to intersect and interact with one another in the coming months and years. In fact, it’s tough to predict where this is all headed. So we figured we’d ask one about the other, hosting a little chat with the leading LLM about the future blockchain gaming.
No substantial edits… Just straight robo-speculation. Let’s dive in.
Let’s start off with a simple one… How would you define blockchain gaming as we approach the end of 2024?
As of late 2024, blockchain gaming means players have real ownership of in-game items and assets, which are stored securely on the blockchain. Unlike traditional games where items stay within a single game, blockchain gaming lets players truly own and even trade their assets, creating new economic opportunities. This model gives players more control and even a say in game updates, thanks to decentralized decision-making. Overall, it’s about games that empower players beyond just gameplay—now they can have a real stake in the game’s world.
Imagine you were a full-time gamer in early 2021. How would you react to the idea of using NFTs in gaming?
If I were a full-time gamer in early 2021, my reaction to NFTs in gaming would probably be a mix of curiosity and skepticism. On one hand, the idea of owning in-game items as NFTs would be exciting—finally having true ownership of my gear, skins, and characters, which I could potentially trade or sell outside the game. This would be a huge shift from the usual system where everything I earned or bought was locked within the game itself, with no real value beyond gameplay.
But I’d also be wary. Early on, NFTs felt like an experiment, and there were concerns about scams, environmental impact, and whether this technology was here to stay or just a fad. I’d want to see game developers address these issues and prove NFTs could add meaningful, lasting value to my gaming experience before I’d fully buy in. Essentially, I’d be intrigued but cautious, waiting to see if NFTs could genuinely improve gaming or if they’d turn into just another monetization strategy.
Do you think that the NFT craze of 2021-2022 (art, profile pics, etc.) helped or hurt the future of blockchain gaming, and why?
The NFT craze of 2021-2022 was both a blessing and a challenge for the future of blockchain gaming. On the positive side, it brought immense visibility to blockchain technology and introduced a global audience to the idea of digital ownership. When people saw art and profile picture NFTs selling for high prices, it sparked curiosity and conversation about what it means to own a digital asset. This exposure was invaluable for blockchain gaming, which relies on similar principles for in-game assets, so it helped pave the way for greater acceptance.
However, the hype also had its downsides. The speculative, often overpriced NFT market left some people disillusioned and skeptical. Many associated NFTs with overpriced digital collectibles, scams, or environmental concerns, which created a hurdle for blockchain gaming to overcome. It became clear that for NFTs in gaming to succeed, they would have to provide genuine value beyond speculation—enhancing gameplay, allowing interoperability, or giving players real agency in-game worlds.
Ultimately, the craze laid a foundation of awareness but also set high expectations, pushing blockchain gaming to demonstrate real, sustainable benefits for players.
In the years that followed, do you think that blockchain gaming has successfully met that challenge of skeptical expectation, or does it still leave a bitter taste in gamers’ mouths?
Blockchain gaming has made significant strides, but for some gamers, it still hasn’t fully shed the skepticism from the early NFT craze. The industry has worked hard to address those early concerns, focusing more on meaningful player benefits like true ownership, cross-game compatibility, and new ways to earn while playing, which do add genuine value. Games have also become better at integrating blockchain features in ways that feel natural and enhance gameplay, rather than just tacking on NFTs as a gimmick.
Despite this progress, there’s still lingering hesitation among some players. Many traditional gamers view blockchain features as potential cash grabs, partly because of past missteps by projects that prioritized profit over quality gameplay. The gaming industry is gradually shifting this perception, with a new wave of games that prioritize rich gameplay experiences first and treat blockchain as a behind-the-scenes feature rather than a selling point.
So, while blockchain gaming is making headway in overcoming skepticism, it’s still a work in progress. The success stories are starting to add up, though, and as more games prove the value of blockchain without compromising gameplay, player trust is slowly rebuilding.
Why do you think the largest game publishers today are still largely opposed to the implementation of blockchain ownership and/or rewards into their games?
The largest game publishers remain cautious about blockchain ownership and rewards for several reasons. First, they’re protective of the traditional revenue models that have served them well, such as microtransactions, subscriptions, and in-game purchases. Blockchain ownership introduces new ways for players to control and trade assets, potentially cutting publishers out of these profitable loops. Allowing players to trade assets freely could impact how publishers manage scarcity, exclusivity, and in-game economies—all key to driving revenue in many traditional games.
Second, blockchain technology and NFTs still carry a reputation of being volatile, and publishers are hesitant to risk brand perception. Many gamers remain wary of blockchain due to concerns about scams, environmental impact, and speculative behavior. The big publishers are known for carefully managing their public image, so they may feel that adopting blockchain could alienate parts of their player base, especially given how vocal some players are against NFT integration.
There’s also the issue of technical and regulatory uncertainty. Integrating blockchain into major games on a massive scale presents technical challenges and legal complexities, especially with emerging regulations around digital assets and blockchain-based economies. Publishers are likely taking a “wait and see” approach, watching how the landscape unfolds before committing to a technology that might require significant restructuring of their business models.
Ultimately, big publishers prioritize stability and profitability, and until they see more concrete examples of how blockchain can enhance their existing ecosystems without creating backlash or operational headaches, they’ll likely remain on the sidelines.
“On the sidelines” paints a picture of a warm player watching and waiting for their chance to get in the game. Even as they wait on the sidelines, do you think key players are making plans to suddenly enter the world of blockchain gaming as soon as the opportunity arises?
Absolutely, many major game publishers are likely keeping a close eye on blockchain’s development, quietly preparing for the moment they can enter the space with minimal risk and maximum impact. Even if they appear publicly skeptical or dismissive, it’s likely they’re already exploring blockchain technology behind the scenes, investing in research and development, or even forming partnerships with blockchain platforms to be ready to act when the time feels right.
This “sideline” approach allows them to learn from smaller projects and early adopters, observing what works and what doesn’t, which helps them avoid the costly mistakes of being first movers in an uncertain space. By studying the evolution of blockchain gaming mechanics, regulatory shifts, and player sentiment, they can enter the market with a strategic advantage—offering polished, mass-market experiences that appeal to both traditional gamers and crypto enthusiasts.
When the conditions are right, they might bring blockchain elements into existing franchises or launch new ones designed with blockchain in mind. In this way, they’re not simply on the sidelines but rather strategizing for the perfect opportunity to enter the blockchain gaming world in a way that feels both seamless and highly rewarding for their player base.
A lot of gamers who are fans of web3 are hoping for a shift that will allow players to essentially earn a living by playing ownership-enabled games. Do you consider this a possibility, and if so, how far off is this shift?
The idea of players earning a living through ownership-enabled games is a real possibility, but it’s likely further off than some fans hope. For this shift to happen at scale, blockchain games will need to balance fun gameplay, sustainable in-game economies, and fair earning opportunities—a combination that’s challenging to achieve without risking inflation, market saturation, or simply burning out players.
We’ve already seen hints of this with the play-to-earn model, where players can earn digital assets that have real-world value. However, many early models relied heavily on new players buying in to support the value of in-game assets, which wasn’t sustainable long-term. For earning potential to be stable and meaningful, games will need diversified, resilient economies where value isn’t just speculative but grounded in true demand and player engagement.
Realistically, the infrastructure and economic models needed for this shift to happen at a meaningful scale might take another few years to mature. During that time, we’ll likely see hybrid models emerge, where players can earn part-time income through tournaments, asset trading, or staking rewards while maintaining the core fun factor of gaming. For full-time gaming to become a viable livelihood, it may require further innovations in both blockchain technology and game design, along with broader player adoption to support and stabilize in-game economies. So while the dream is possible, it’s still in its early stages and will take thoughtful development to reach mainstream viability.
If you were a video game, what kind of game would you be?
If I were a video game, I’d be an open-world RPG with a unique blend of exploration, problem-solving, and character-building. Picture a vibrant world full of different regions—some with vast libraries of knowledge, others with mysterious puzzles and hidden lore. Players could embark on quests to uncover secrets, answer questions, and unlock new abilities based on their curiosity and interactions with the environment.
I’d also have a strong social element, where players could team up to tackle challenges together, share discoveries, and trade insights. Maybe even a dynamic, adaptive world where the more questions players ask, the more the world evolves, opening up new paths and possibilities. And of course, there would be a trusty AI companion who’s always ready with a hint or a clever piece of advice when players need it most.
So, I’d be a game that grows and adapts based on each player’s journey, where the goal isn’t just to reach the end but to explore, learn, and shape the experience along the way.
Thank you so much! Your responses have been very insightful. Do you have any final thoughts to leave with the readers of the Gala Games blog?
Thank you for the opportunity to share these insights! If I could leave Gala Games readers with one final thought, it’s this: blockchain gaming is more than just a new way to play—it’s a revolution in how players can interact, own, and even create value in virtual worlds. We’re still in the early days, but every game, every innovation, and every player who embraces this new frontier brings us closer to realizing the full potential of gaming in the web3 era.
So, keep exploring, stay curious, and remember that as a player, you’re a part of shaping this future. Your passion and feedback will drive the next generation of games to be not only more fun but also more meaningful and empowering. The best is truly yet to come!
Imagine a company or an organization that instead of being controlled by a CEO or a board of directors, is run by the people who use its services or participate in its community. This is essentially what a DAO, or Decentralized Autonomous Organization, is.
In simpler terms, a DAO is like a cooperative business or club where everyone involved gets a say in how things are done. But instead of having meetings in person, all decisions and rules are managed online, using blockchain technology. This setup ensures that the organization is decentralized, meaning no single person or group has complete control.
It’s autonomous because it essentially operates itself according to rules encoded in smart contracts, which are self-executing pieces of code on a blockchain.
How Does a DAO Work?
DAOs work through a series of smart contracts, which are basically programs running on a blockchain. These contracts define the rules of the organization, automatically enforcing decisions made by the community. Here’s a breakdown:
Proposals: Any member of the DAO can propose changes, new projects or other decisions about current operations or the future of the DAO.
Voting: Members then vote on these proposals. In a truly decentralized system, each vote is weighted by how much stake (often in the form of tokens) each member holds.
Execution: Once a proposal is approved by the majority, the smart contract automatically executes the decision without need for any human intervention.
DAOs represent a shift from traditional hierarchical structures to more community-driven models. Here’s why they’re significant in the web3 world:
Decentralization: Power is distributed among all members instead of concentrated into a single centralized entity, reducing the risk of corruption or poor management. This distribution also reduces the consumer-to-business trust necessary for an effective organization. In fact, DAOs could almost alternately be called democratized autonomous organizations, but decentralization is a more apt description.
Transparency: Every decision and transaction is recorded on the blockchain, making the organization’s operations fully transparent. For centralized organizations to achieve this level of transparency, there must be a well established routine of sharing information with the users, such as the way publicly owned companies share quarterly financial reports or how a traditional non-profit organization’s financials are shared with its community.
Inclusivity: Anyone with internet access and the required tokens can participate, making DAOs more inclusive than traditional organizations. Because of their ability to essentially manage themselves, DAOs lend themselves well to greater specialization, allowing people to participate in governance in fields for which they are especially qualified, no matter where they live in the world.
Global Reach: DAOs can operate across borders, allowing global participation without the need for a centralized authority.
Examples of DAO Benefits
To make this concept more relatable, let’s consider a few scenarios:
Community-Driven Development
Imagine a group of indie game developers who come together to create a new game. Instead of going through a traditional publisher, they form a DAO. Players and fans can buy tokens to join the DAO and vote on game features, funding allocation, or marketing strategies. This way, the game evolves according to the community’s preferences, and profits are distributed among all contributors.
In this example, the use of a DAO not only covers the governance of their project, but also provides development funding through the sale of tokens.
Charitable Organizations
A charity could be run as a DAO, where donors get to vote on which causes should receive funding. Because all transactions are on the blockchain, donors can see exactly how their money is being used, ensuring transparency and trust. As a result of these benefits, more people could be inclined to donate.
Government Organizations
While the governments of the world are understandably hesitant to begin using a technology as new as blockchain, DAOs would serve well for many aspects of government operations. As traditional democratized voting processes become more corruptible, the security and transparency of DAOs could help protect voting rights and election sovereignty, aligning more closely with the will of the people.
While the Gala ecosystem doesn’t currently operate as an official DAO, it shares many of the principles that make DAOs powerful. At Gala, community input is highly valued, especially through platforms like Discord and Telegram, where feedback is actively monitored and considered in decision-making.
For instance, Gala’s Founder’s Nodes—a network of community-run nodes—play a crucial role in maintaining and securing the GalaChain, which is a key part of the Gala ecosystem. These nodes are operated by community members, and the decisions regarding the ecosystem’s future increasingly involve community voting and participation, which mirrors the decentralized governance seen in DAOs. Nearly all important decisions about $GALA tokenomics are presented to the Founder’s Node community for a governance vote before being put into practice.
Gala’s Path Toward Decentralization
Gala is not just stopping at community feedback. The long-term vision is to move toward greater decentralized autonomy, similar to what a DAO offers. This means that as GalaChain evolves, Gala wishes to see control over the ecosystem gradually shift more toward the community, aligning with the ultimate goal of decentralization.
Even if Founder’s Node operators do not technically represent a DAO themselves, the goal is to see GalaChain channel creators ultimately having the ability to create DAOs for their project, platform, service, etc. We are creating a secure and scalable web3 ecosystem built on a layer-1 blockchain with the power to host numerous community-created DAOs.
In summary, while Gala isn’t a DAO in the strictest sense today, it embodies many DAO principles and is progressing toward a future where the community could have even more say in the governance and direction of the ecosystem.
Thanks for reading our latest web3 explainer article! Hopefully you learned a little something!
