Skip to main content

What Is Web 3.0? (And Why Should Banks & Credit Unions Care?)

 


A new version of the web-based on blockchain technology — is being predicted and promoted. Even though the trend has vocal naysayers, elements of Web 3.0 are already in use, including by a new crop of disruptive nonbank competitors.

By Steve Cocheo, Executive Editor at The Financial Brand

If the term “Web 3.0” has crossed your radar, and you are wondering what it is and whether it’s worth starting another ulcer over, we have four words for you: Eco, Valora, Compound and TrueFi.

Eco, which promotes the fact that it is not a bank and not FDIC insured, offers accounts held in stablecoins that function as both spending and savings accounts, but with higher returns.

Valora is an app available through the App Store and Google Play that uses the blockchain to deliver a version of P2P services out of a mobile crypto wallet.

Compound describes itself as “an algorithmic, autonomous interest rate protocol built for developers, to unlock a universe of open financial applications.” Among the services using it is Compound Treasury, which promises a 4% annualized return with dollar deposits turned into stablecoins as well.

TrueFi is a marketplace lender offering unsecured loans for borrowers and an opportunity for people with funds to invest in loans to earn a higher return. TrueFi is a form of decentralized finance — “DeFi” — using stablecoins.

Numerous tech and crypto investors back these fledgling companies, all of which are doing business through some aspect of “Web 3.0,” also called “Web3.” One investor in common is Andreessen Horowitz.

The venture capital firm is investing heavily in crypto through a hedge fund. In late 2021 it launched a lobbying campaign in support of its idea of how the World Wide Web should evolve, and, along with it, many of the businesses and activities that tie into it — including financial services. This push so far includes issuing ten Web 3.0 principles for world leaders shaping the future of the web and publishing a major Web 3.0 white paper, “How to Win the Future: An Agenda for the Third Generation of the Internet.”

Regarding financial services, that paper states: “Our financial system needs to be revamped for fast payments. It also needs to be more inclusive; for instance, by improving access to credit through better credit scoring that incorporates more data sources. Web3 has demonstrated the potential of alternatives to the current system. Decentralized finance, or DeFi, is also supplying a wave of new infrastructure to support more sophisticated financial products…”

There’s more in the paper, but it’s far from the only voice in Washington promoting Web 3.0. Anti-bank rhetoric is part of it.

In congressional testimony on Web 3.0, Brian Brooks, former Acting Comptroller of the Currency, who liberalized treatment of crypto activities by national banks, said in part: “Do we believe a user-controlled decentralized internet is better than an internet largely controlled by five big companies? … Do we trust big banks more, or open-source software more, as a tool for maintaining ledgers of account and allocating credit and capital?” Brooks is now CEO of Bitfury Group, a supplier to the cryptocurrency business.



Clearly, both traditional financial institutions as well as neobanks and fintechs have to understand what Web 3.0 is and how it could develop. The following Q&A presents the basics of what is already becoming a very complicated new field.

Comments

Post a Comment

Please no profanity or political comments.

Popular posts from this blog

Honor Our Heroes This Memorial Day

  First Responder Credit Union Academy   Attendee Registration Tucson, AZ 2026 ...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

FFIEC Proposes Biggest CAMELS Overhaul In 30 Years, Citing Need For Greater Transparency

  W ASHINGTON—The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council is seeking public comment on a proposed overhaul of the CAMELS supervisory ratings framework, marking what regulators said would be the first comprehensive revision of the bank and credit union examination system in approximately 30 years. Michelle Bowman The proposal would revise the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System—better known as CAMELS—to place greater emphasis on material financial risk and improve the transparency and predictability of supervisory ratings. Regulators said the framework would continue to evaluate institutions on capital adequacy, asset quality, management, earnings, liquidity and sensitivity to market risk, while modifying certain composite and component rating definitions and evaluation factors. In announcing the proposal, FFIEC Chair and Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman said the revised framework is intended to create “a decisive shift toward transpare...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Vizo Financial and TCT Risk Solutions Announce Strategic Partnership

                  Vizo Financial and TCT Risk Solutions Announce Strategic Partnership to Enhance Risk Management Offerings Greensboro, N.C. (May 6, 2026) – Vizo Financial and TCT Risk Solutions are pleased to announce a new strategic partnership designed to expand and strengthen risk management solutions for credit unions. This partnership brings together Vizo Financial’s trusted role as a cooperative provider of back-office support, consulting and education with TCT Risk Solutions’ specialized risk management tools, which include credit migration, loan and deposit pricing, CECL, and asset liability modeling. Through this collaboration, Vizo Financial will offer TCT's signature software and advisory capabilities, equipping credit unions with actionable insights to better understand risk, optimize financial performance and make more informed strategic decisions. The partnership aims to help credit unions move beyond reactive risk m...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Syracuse Fire Department Credit Union

  p This just in - shared branching is HERE! What's shared branching? If you aren't nearby, you can visit a shared branching location throughout the country to perform a number of actions such as deposits, withdrawals, and loan payments. Traveling and need funds? Need a check while you're out of town? Try shared branching! More information and locations available on our website! https://www.syrfirecu.com/shared-branching/
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

The First Social Network

Credit Unions: The Original Social Network Long before likes, follows, shares, and friend requests, people built networks another way: They showed up for each other. That’s essentially how credit unions began. Not as financial corporations, but as human networks built on trust, shared experiences, and mutual support. In many ways, credit unions were the first true social networks. Before Technology Connected People, Communities Did Today’s social platforms promise connection. They help people share ideas, ask questions, organize communities, and support causes. But more than a century ago, credit unions were already doing something remarkably similar — only in person and with real financial stakes involved. Teachers gathered with teachers. Factory workers organized with coworkers. Church members helped fellow congregants. Military personnel supported military families. Firefighters stood beside fellow first responders. Police officers supported the communities and d...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Meeting Portals - Why Choose MyBoardPacket.com

MyBoardPacket is known as the simplest, most secure, and affordable online board packet solution. A low monthly fee, with no setup fee, no annual contracts, free customer support and unlimited users! We use MyBoardPacket.com here at NCOFCU, and we love it! Exclusive discount of 25% for NCOFCU Members! Additional discounts are granted for small asset size credit unions! Why choose MyBoardPacket over other meeting portals? The Facts: MyBoardPacket was the first secure board portal on the market, starting in 2001. So easy to use that no training is required! However, for your peace of mind, you have unlimited support and training with your very own Trainer, which any Admin can schedule whenever needed. Unlimited users , committees, and meetings from anywhere! On MyBoardPacket everyone is on the same page . Month-to-month subscription – our customers are with MyBoardPacket because they love it, not because they are locked into a lengthy contract! MyBoar...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Just Out! - NCUA Stablecoin Plan Opens Door To Credit Union-Backed Digital Dollar Issuers

ALEXANDRIA, Va.—A sweeping new NCUA proposal to implement the GENIUS Act could open the door for credit union-backed stablecoin issuance, but only through separately licensed subsidiaries operating under an extensive new federal regulatory framework that limits risks to the Share Insurance Fund. The 269-page supplemental proposed rule issued Friday lays out how “permitted payment stablecoin issuers” affiliated with federally insured credit unions would be supervised, examined and regulated by the NCUA, while also establishing rules covering reserves, liquidity, custody, operational risk, cybersecurity, anti-money laundering compliance and disclosure standards. The proposal supplements an earlier February 2026 proposal by the agency focused primarily on licensing and investments in stablecoin issuers. Federally insured credit unions themselves would still be prohibited from directly issuing payment stablecoins under the GENIUS Act. Instead, issuance would have to occur through a separa...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

IRS Reporting Requirement Has Turned Into Uphill Battle for CUs

  It’s in. It’s out. It’s in again. On Thursday, NAFCU, CUNA and more than 100 associations sent a letter to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate asking them to reject a proposed IRS reporting requirement that credit union trades have been pushing back against since July . The proposed IRS reporting requirement would require financial institutions, including credit unions, to report the inflows and outflows of personal and business accounts, as well as transfers between accounts of the same owner, if it is more than $600 per year. The proposal found new life inside the House version of the budget reconciliation bill after it was rejected in the version approved by the House Ways and Means Committee last month. On Tuesday, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said the IRS reporting requirement would be included in the House version of the bill. CUNA, NAFCU and other organizations voiced their objections to the proposal in a joint letter. While the l...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Apple Pay Lands 22 Credit Unions

By Roy Urrico CU Times May 06, 2015 Apple announced 24 new participating Apple Pay issuers, including 22 credit unions. More than 155 credit unions out of less than 250 issuers offer the service. Among the new credit union issuers are the $415 million Bellwether Community Credit Union in Manchester, N.H.; the $243 million Benchmark Federal Credit Union, in West Chester, Penn; the $15 million Blackhawk Community Credit Union in Beaver Falls, Penn.; the $2 billion CommunityAmerica CU in Kansas City, Mo.; the $2 billion Community First CU in Appleton, Wis.; the $143 million Connections CU in Pocatello, Idaho, the $164 million cPort CU in Portland, Maine; the $140 million Denver Fire Department FCU ; the $148 million Electro Savings CU in St. Louis; the $1.1 billion Elements Financial FCU in Indianapolis; the $448 million First Financial CU in Albuquerque, N.M.; the $541 million Greater Nevada CU in Carson City, Nev.; the $485 million Harvard University Employees CU in Cambridge, Mass...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Cox Lowers Auto Sales Forecast as Rates Rise, 'Outlook Worsening'

Economist says auto loan rates will rise to a 21-year high by year’s end. Interest rates for cars are likely to hit 21-year records by the end of the year, further raising monthly payments and driving down sales as many buyers hold on to aging vehicles a little longer, Cox Automotive analysts said Wednesday. During Cox Automotive’s forecast call, the analysts announced lower forecasts on both new and used vehicles for 2022, compared with its previous quarterly forecast in June . New car sales that in June had been expected to fall 3.4% to 14.4 million this year are now expected to fall 8.1% to 13.7 million. Used car sales that in June had been expected to fall 8.6% to 37.1 million are now expected to fall 10.6% to 36.3 million. The forecast for new car sales was reduced for the third time this year not only because supply shortages haven’t improved as much as expected, but also because higher rates are driving up monthly payments. Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Sm...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»