Unpacking the Future of Digital Identity with Sandy Carter
Introduction
Welcome, to the 123rd episode of the "Web3 with Sam Kamani" podcast. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Sandy Carter, the Chief Operating Officer of Unstoppable Domains. Sandy shares her journey into the Web3 space, her experiences at Unstoppable Domains, and why digital identity is crucial in our evolving digital world. Let's dive into the insights and practical applications Sandy discusses.
Sandy Carter's Journey to Web3
Sandy's transition from Amazon Web Services (AWS) to Unstoppable Domains is a fascinating story. At AWS, she worked with regulated industry customers diving into blockchain, sparking her interest in Web3. Her journey took a pivotal turn when she met Matt Gold, the founder of Unstoppable Domains, who shared his vision for digital identity on the blockchain. This vision resonated deeply with Sandy, leading her to join the Unstoppable Domains team.
The Importance of Digital Identity
In the Web2 world, we use usernames and passwords to access applications, but the data collected isn't ours—it belongs to the companies. Unstoppable Domains aims to change this by enabling users to own their digital identities and data. Sandy emphasizes that owning our data is a human right, and Unstoppable Domains provides a platform where this is possible.
Simplifying Crypto Transactions
One of the primary problems Unstoppable Domains solves is simplifying crypto transactions. Instead of using long, complex wallet addresses, users can have memorable names like sandy.crypto or sam.nft. This not only makes transactions easier but also more secure. Unstoppable Domains handles over 30 million resolutions weekly, converting complex addresses into simple domain names.
Digital Identity in Practice
Sandy demonstrates her digital identity, sandy.nft, showcasing its various features. This identity includes wallet addresses, transaction history, and a safety score indicating how secure her wallet is. Additionally, users can create avatars for use across multiple metaverses and games, maintaining a consistent digital presence.
Real-World Applications
Digital identities extend beyond simple transactions. Sandy highlights various use cases, such as storing educational certificates, participating in decentralized voting, and showcasing awards and community badges. These features provide verifiable credentials, ensuring authenticity and ownership of digital assets.
Challenges in Web3 Adoption
Despite its potential, Web3 adoption faces challenges, particularly in ease of use. Sandy notes that new users must navigate a steep learning curve, including understanding new terminology and technical interfaces. To address this, the entire ecosystem must work together to simplify user experiences, making blockchain technology more accessible.
The Future of Digital Identity
Sandy believes that the future of digital identity is bright, driven by the next generation's growing concern for data privacy and ownership. She predicts that by 2024, asking for someone's digital identity or Web3 domain name will become as common as asking for their email or social media handle.
Unstoppable Domains is at the forefront of empowering users to own their digital identities. Sandy encourages partnerships to expand their reach and add more value to their platform. As the digital landscape evolves, owning and controlling our data will become increasingly important, and Unstoppable Domains is leading the way.
Connect with Us
You can connect with me, Sam Kamani, on social media or reach out directly. My DMs are open, and I’m always eager to engage with fellow innovators.
This episode covered the exciting development in the world of Web3. You can listen to it here .
Stay tuned for more episodes where we dive into the world of Web3. Thank you for your support and best of luck in building your startups and projects.
