The swift integration of digital payments has positioned web3 wallets as a central component of today’s financial ecosystem. In light of Thailand’s $13 billion digital wallet initiative, the question of how to build secure and scalable web3 wallets has become more urgent than ever. Are current web3 wallets truly ready for mass adoption, and what are the ways to address some of the most significant challenges in the space?

The expansion of wallet use cases

Web3 wallets, often regarded as gateways to the decentralized world, are evolving fast. Initially, their main use case revolved around storing and transferring cryptocurrencies. However, their utility now extends far beyond that. Non-custodial wallets are transforming the concept of ownership and control, empowering users to directly manage their digital assets, tokens, and even NFTs. They are becoming essential for DeFi, iGaming, and even governance voting within DAOs.

As these use cases expand, so does the adoption of web3 wallets. And Bitget Wallet’s rapid growth might be a good indicator of this trend. A significant factor in this growth has been Bitget Wallet’s web2 integrations, which boosted its monthly active users to 12 million, and tap-to-earn games, which have attracted a large audience by implementing wallet features directly into engaging mobile games. This has proven to be a major driver of adoption, particularly for regions where traditional finance is limited. 

Challenges to adoption

Along with the growth, web3 wallets face significant hurdles when it comes to mass adoption. One of the most prominent challenges is security. A CertiK report recently revealed over $1.84 billion in security incidents tied to wallet vulnerabilities. While offering enhanced control, non-custodial wallets also place the security burden directly on users. It presents a high-risk scenario, particularly for individuals who are not technically savvy.

Implementing keyless multi-party computation technology is one way to address these issues. The upgrade eliminates the storage of private keys on any device or server, reducing the risk of hacking significantly. MPC provides a robust security layer without sacrificing convenience, as it distributes the control of private keys across multiple parties.

Another feature to tackle security concerns head-on is a self-custody model. Users maintain full control over their private keys, ensuring they, not third parties, are responsible for their assets. This self-custody feature is critical in empowering users, as it reduces the reliance on intermediaries and centralized custodial services that are prone to hacking. Users can trust that their assets are fully under their control, enhancing both security and user confidence.

Additionally, the incorporation of established web2 platforms like Telegram for user onboarding displays an innovative strategy for bridging the gap between web2 and web3. This kind of integration lowers the entry barriers, making it easier for new users to transition into the world of DeFi with no need for a comprehensive understanding of the complexities behind blockchain technology.

While scaling quickly to meet growing demand, especially as digital payments gain traction globally, wallets must ensure that their security measures remain ironclad. The ease of use and security often exist in a trade-off. Wallets that emphasize user-friendliness may risk cutting corners in security. On the other hand, more secure wallets often require a level of technical expertise that can be a barrier to mainstream adoption. Striking a balance between these two factors is critical for the long-term success of web3 wallets. 

What comes next?

Looking forward, the future of web3 wallets will depend on their ability to continue evolving in line with the broader adoption of digital assets and payments. Web3 wallets will need to be both scalable and secure to meet the needs of a diverse, global audience. The path forward will likely involve further innovations in security, including the wider adoption of MPC technology, as well as efforts to make web3 wallets even more accessible to non-crypto natives. 

Alvin Kan is the chief operating officer of Bitget Wallet, leading the company’s global growth strategy and overseeing brand building, operations, and growth initiatives. Before this role, Alvin worked at LinkedIn for almost ten years, leading the data team in the Asia-Pacific region and contributing to the strategic planning for the company’s expansion in Asia. He later held positions as head of growth for the BNB Chain ecosystem and head of Asia at Sei Labs, accumulating extensive experience in market growth and data analysis in web2 and web3 domains. With years of rich technical expertise and strong visionary leadership, Alvin is dedicated to building web3 and discovering new frontiers.