ep 25 – Network Effects, Moats, & the Business of web3

TL;DR

This comprehensive analysis explores the business strategy behind competitive advantage, network effects, and moats in the context of Web3. It emphasizes the shift to platform-based models, the importance of community cohesion, and the challenges posed by the open nature of Web3 platforms.

Transcript

welcome to wet 3 with A6 and Z our show about building the next generation of your internet I'm your host Donald foxy and while this show is for anyone working on or interested in blockchains and crypto whether entrepreneur or Creator or policy maker today's all new episode is also relevant to all kinds of Technology businesses because it's a deep ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏡 Web3 platforms operate on blockchains, which create public gardens instead of walled gardens, fostering interoperability and open access.
• 🤗 Platform-based models in Web3 facilitate the creation of strong network effects, but maintaining dominance has become more challenging due to the open nature of the ecosystem.
• 💱 Michael Porter's five forces framework provides a useful framework for analyzing competitive advantage and understanding the changing dynamics in Web3.
• 👶 Web3 introduces new opportunities for community cohesion, shared ownership, and value creation, shifting the focus from extraction to collaboration.
• 👤 Sources of network effects in Web3 include liquidity, data, user know-how, technical advantages, and embeddedness.
• 🪡 Builders in Web3 need to understand the strength, valence, and source of network effects to create and capture value effectively.
• 💱 The nature of competition in Web3 has changed, with increased cooperation and collaboration among platforms, while still maintaining competitive pressures.
• 👶 Web3 platforms have the potential to compound innovation through composability, enabling the creation of new value by leveraging existing components and assets.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Web3 change the way businesses should think about competitive advantage?

In Web3, competitive advantage is built through factors like community cohesion, shared ownership, and leveraging network effects. Businesses need to focus on creating value for users and adopting an open and collaborative mindset.

Q: What are the key sources of competitive advantage in Web3?

Sources of competitive advantage in Web3 include liquidity, data, user know-how, technical advantages, and embeddedness. Understanding the source of network effects helps determine their strength, valence, and defensibility.

Q: How does network effect strength differ in Web3 compared to Web2?

Web3 has strengthened many classical network effects, particularly at the core level of underlying protocols and digital assets. However, network effect strength for individual platforms may have weakened due to the open and interoperable nature of Web3.

Q: What is the role of community cohesion in Web3 competitive advantage?

Community cohesion is a crucial aspect of Web3 competitive advantage. By creating a network of personally invested users who want to see the platform succeed, businesses can build a strong moat and increase the overall value and engagement of the platform.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Web3 businesses are platforms characterized by network effects, where the more users on the platform, the more valuable the interactions become.

• Web3 platforms operate on blockchains, creating a public garden instead of a walled garden, which presents new challenges for maintaining and capturing value.

• Michael Porter's five forces framework provides a useful perspective for understanding competitive advantage and how it applies to both Web2 and Web3.

• Web3 introduces new opportunities for community cohesion, allowing users to have a true preference for a platform and be personally invested in its success.