Web3: Time to Grow Up and Clean Up

Web3 has some bright spots, but let’s not ignore the dark ones. The tech is cool, but it’s also become a favorite tool for scammers and money launderers. Prices might be up, and big players might be getting interested, but if we don’t tackle the real issues, this could all blow up again. Most people still don’t trust crypto. Over half of U. S. adults think it’s risky and unreliable. If the industry can’t prove it’s not just a rigged game, it’s going to struggle to grow. And if regular people and politicians don’t trust it, Web3 won’t get very far. For years, too many in the industry have acted like rules don’t apply to them. They’ve used fancy terms and loopholes to avoid responsibility. But here’s the truth: if your business falls apart when you follow basic rules, you’re not running a real business. If you handle people’s money, you’re a financial company. If you trade, you’re part of the market. It’s time to pick a lane and follow the rules.Leverage is a big problem in crypto. It’s what fuels those crazy price bubbles and sudden crashes. When things go wrong, it’s usually regular people who pay the price. Let’s call it what it is: a risky gamble that puts users at risk. The industry loves to say that bad actors are just a small part of the problem. But in reality, they’re the ones making the headlines. If Web3 wants to be taken seriously, it needs to act like it. That means following the rules, being transparent, and kicking out the bad actors for good. So, what can the good players do? First, they need to make sure their systems are safe and follow the rules. They need to explain clearly how things work, what can go wrong, and who’s responsible. And they need to hold bad actors accountable. Web3 has real potential, but it’s not going to reach it if it keeps acting like a wild west show. It’s time to grow up, follow the rules, and build something that lasts. The market is giving crypto another chance. Let’s not mess it up.