As a product manager transitioning from Web2 to Web3, I have deeply realized the significant differences in user experience design between the two. In the Web2 era, we were accustomed to this user path: opening the app, browsing features, registering and logging in, and then starting to use it. However, when I first encountered Web3 products, the requirement to connect a Wallet first truly puzzled me.

At first, I was worried that this direct request for users to connect their identity would lead to a surge in bounce rates. However, upon deeper understanding, I realized that my concerns were unnecessary. In fact, in the Web3 ecosystem, connecting a Wallet is far more than just a simple log in; it is a process of identity verification.

Wallets play a core role in Web3. They are not just a log in tool, but rather the sovereign accounts of users on the blockchain, encompassing personal assets, behavior records, and interaction history. The purpose of connecting a wallet is not to gain access, but to confirm the user's identity and their power within the ecosystem. This process essentially shifts from email verification in Web2 to signature verification in Web3.

The key technology supporting this innovation is WalletConnect. It fundamentally changes our understanding and usage of "identity." Compared to the drawbacks of Web2 login systems, which are controlled by platforms, can be banned, and have opaque data, as well as the lack of interoperability between accounts across different applications, WalletConnect offers a completely new solution:

1. Achieve secure connections across chains and platforms, connecting multiple ecosystems with one Wallet.
2. While verifying user identity, do not upload private information and do not control user assets.
3. Transfer control of identity from the application to the user.

This transformation marks a significant leap from the "account-bound user" model to the concept of "identity as sovereignty." Web3, through its decentralized approach, empowers users with complete control over their own digital identity, which is undoubtedly a disruptive innovation to the traditional internet identity management model.

As product designers, we need to rethink the user experience process, viewing Wallet connection as the first gateway for users to enter the Web3 world, rather than a barrier. This is not only a technological transformation but also an empowerment of users' digital rights. In this new era, we have the responsibility to educate users about the value of their digital identity and provide intuitive, secure ways to manage this valuable asset.

The development of Web3 is reshaping the way we interact with the internet. As industry practitioners, we should embrace this transformation and create a more open, transparent, and user-friendly product ecosystem. This is not only a technological advancement but also an important victory for individual sovereignty in the digital world.