Recently, Solana launched its latest feature, Blink, which quickly ignited discussions in the crypto community. Blink allows users to convert on-chain operations such as transactions, voting, payments, and minting into a shareable link or QR code. This feature enables users to directly complete these on-chain operations on Twitter without being redirected to other pages. Since its announcement, Blink has been hailed as the most Web3 application and could potentially serve as a bridge between the Web2 and Web3 worlds. But can Blink truly live up to its potential, or is it just another fancy plugin?
The Blink feature may seem simple on the surface, but it is supported by a complex protocol developed by Dialect Labs. Dialect Labs previously developed Dialect, a protocol for message passing through smart contracts, and Blink is an extension of Dialect. Through the Actions protocol, developers can create on-chain operations as links and display them as Blink pages on the user’s end. This logic is similar to Web2’s QR codes, but Blink converts on-chain operations into a frontend page.
Developers no longer need to develop or call API interfaces for each individual page. They only need to create a link that can be applied to all pages. When users see a Solana project on Twitter, they can complete the transaction process directly within one interface without copying the token address and opening a cryptocurrency exchange. This convenience greatly facilitates user operations.
Despite the transformative nature of Blink, many crypto users believe that it still has significant flaws that could ultimately make it short-lived. As a Web3 application, Blink cannot escape the reliance on Chrome plugins and wallets. Essentially, Blink relies on a protocol embedded in Phantom and Backpack to identify whether the Actions protocol exists on the web page. Only links that can be recognized will be displayed as Blink cards, and if the user’s browser or application does not support wallet application plugins, Blink applications cannot be recognized.
Furthermore, Dan Romero, the founder of Farcaster, commented, “They don’t work on mobile. 88% of Twitter usage is mobile.” In response, some netizens argued that the Solana ecosystem has its own Web3 mobile phones. The highlight of this protocol is that it saves developers a lot of development processes. They only need to create a recognizable link that can be applied to various web pages.
Another topic widely discussed on social media is security. Many users are concerned that such application protocols could become channels for phishing attacks or malicious teams. Dialect has also taken this issue into consideration, and the current rules state that only registered project teams can create such links. However, investigations have found that the current registration rules are not strict, and this mechanism may just be a case of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
Despite the various issues, many users believe that Blink offers a more reliable solution, at least in terms of token distribution rewards. Blink’s integration into the Solana Web3 phone could also be a relatively prominent advantage for Web3 phones. As early as 2022, Dialect collaborated with Solana Web3 phone Saga to launch the open-source messaging app Dial. Therefore, it is highly likely that Blink will be embedded into the Solana Web3 phone.
Regardless of whether Blink can truly become a killer application, based on its current beginnings, it is an important attempt to expand Web3 applications. The Solana team is also actively promoting this application, and several important projects in the Solana ecosystem such as Jupiter, Phantom, and Backpack have integrated this feature as soon as possible.
In conclusion, the launch of Blink has sparked enthusiastic discussions in the crypto community. Whether it can become a killer application remains to be seen, but its convenience for users and potential use cases have already revealed new directions for the development of Web3. With the continuous expansion of the Solana ecosystem, the application and popularization of Blink could further accelerate the arrival of the Web3 world. As one Twitter user put it, perhaps focusing on user experience is currently the key for public chains to consider.
