In the rapidly evolving world of blockchain and cryptocurrency, decentralized applications (DApps) are emerging as a transformative force. DApps leverage the power of blockchain technology to provide open, transparent, and censorship-resistant alternatives to traditional applications. As the DApp ecosystem grows, crypto wallets are racing to offer the best possible user experience for interacting with these innovative apps.
Trust Wallet, a leading mobile cryptocurrency wallet known for its ease-of-use and multi-chain support, has positioned itself at the forefront of this trend with its built-in DApp browser. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore how to enable the DApp browser in Trust Wallet, discuss some alternatives for iOS users, and highlight some of the most exciting DApps you can access with it.
The Rise of DApps and Web3
Before diving into the specifics of Trust Wallet‘s DApp browser, let‘s set the stage by discussing the importance and growth of the decentralized application ecosystem.
DApps are applications that run on a blockchain network like Ethereum or BNB Chain. Unlike traditional apps that are controlled by a single entity, DApps are governed by smart contracts—self-executing pieces of code that enforce the rules of the application. This decentralized model offers several key advantages:
- Censorship Resistance: No single party can shut down or censor a DApp, ensuring freedom of use and expression.
- Transparency: The open-source nature of DApps and the public blockchain means anyone can audit the code and verify the app is working as intended.
- Permissionless: Anyone can use or build upon a DApp without needing approval from a central authority.
These unique properties have led to an explosion of innovation in spaces like decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, gaming, and more. The numbers speak for themselves. According to DappRadar, the total value locked (TVL) in DeFi apps grew from less than $1 billion in June 2020 to over $250 billion at its peak in 2021—an increase of over 25,000%.
| Year | Total DApps | Daily Active Users | Transaction Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1,468 | 66,064 | $5.8B |
| 2019 | 3,256 | 108,429 | $10.3B |
| 2020 | 4,720 | 178,285 | $270.9B |
| 2021 | 10,116 | 2,772,000 | $613.6B |
Data from DappRadar Industry Reports
This rapid growth has given rise to the concept of "web3"—a new vision for a decentralized internet where users are in control of their data, assets, and online identities. As the gateway to web3, crypto wallets are evolving to provide easy access to these powerful new tools and platforms. This is where Trust Wallet‘s DApp browser comes in.
Enabling the DApp Browser in Trust Wallet
Trust Wallet‘s built-in DApp browser provides a seamless way to interact with decentralized applications directly from your mobile device. With just a few taps, you can access popular DApps like Uniswap, OpenSea, Axie Infinity, and more.
The process for enabling the DApp browser differs slightly between Android and iOS devices due to Apple‘s stricter app store guidelines. Let‘s walk through both.
On Android Devices
Enabling the DApp browser on Android is a straightforward process that can be done directly within the Trust Wallet app:
- Open Trust Wallet and tap on the "Settings" tab in the bottom right corner
- Select "Preferences", then toggle on the "DApp Browser" option
- The DApp browser will now appear as a new tab in the app
Viktor Radchenko, Founder of Trust Wallet, explains the decision to include the DApp browser:
"We believe that the future of finance and the internet itself will be increasingly decentralized. Our goal with the DApp Browser is to provide an easy and secure way for our users to interact with this new frontier directly from their smartphone. It‘s a step towards making web3 accessible to everyone."
On iOS Devices
In June 2021, due to Apple‘s App Store policy, Trust Wallet was required to remove the DApp Browser from the iOS version of the app. However, there is still a way to access it using Safari. Here‘s how:
- Open Safari and type in the URL:
trust://browser_enable - Tap "Open" in the pop-up to enable the browser in Trust Wallet
- The DApp browser will now appear in the app
While this workaround gets the job done, Trust Wallet acknowledges it‘s not the most user-friendly solution. They are actively working on improvements and exploring alternative web3 browsing options to provide a better experience for their iOS users in the future.
Using WalletConnect with Trust Wallet
For iOS users looking for a more seamless DApp experience, WalletConnect offers a convenient alternative. WalletConnect is an open-source protocol for securely connecting mobile wallets to decentralized applications. It uses end-to-end encryption to establish a direct connection between your wallet and a DApp without exposing your private keys.
Many popular DApps like Uniswap, PancakeSwap, OpenSea, and Rarible now integrate with WalletConnect. This allows Trust Wallet users to interact with the DApp directly from the web browser on their device. Here‘s how it works:
- Open a WalletConnect-enabled DApp in your mobile browser
- Tap "Connect Wallet" and select WalletConnect
- Choose Trust Wallet from the list of options and tap "Connect"
- Confirm the connection in the Trust Wallet app
Trust Wallet was an early supporter of the WalletConnect standard. Eowyn Chen, Executive Director at Trust Wallet, states:
"We see WalletConnect as a crucial piece of infrastructure for the growth of the decentralized web. By providing a secure and standardized way for wallets to interact with DApps, it improves the user experience and helps onboard the next wave of users into the ecosystem."
According to WalletConnect‘s latest ecosystem report, the protocol now supports over 170 wallets and 450 DApps, with an average of 329,000 daily sessions. As more DApps integrate WalletConnect, it will only become a more viable option for Trust Wallet users on iOS.
Exploring DApps with Trust Wallet
With the DApp browser enabled or WalletConnect set up, a whole world of decentralized applications is at your fingertips. Let‘s highlight a few categories and standouts.
Decentralized Exchanges (DEXes)
Decentralized exchanges are one of the cornerstones of the DeFi ecosystem. They allow users to trade cryptocurrencies directly from their wallets without giving up control of their funds. Some popular options:
- Uniswap: The leading DEX on Ethereum, known for its wide selection of tokens and liquidity.
- PancakeSwap: The go-to DEX on the BNB Chain, featuring yield farming and staking opportunities.
- SushiSwap: A community-driven fork of Uniswap with multi-chain support and a focus on DeFi innovation.
The PancakeSwap DEX interface
NFT Marketplaces
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have taken the art and collectibles world by storm. These unique digital assets are bought, sold, and showcased on NFT marketplaces like:
- OpenSea: The largest NFT marketplace, supporting multiple blockchains and a huge variety of NFT collections.
- Rarible: A community-owned marketplace with a unique token that allows users to vote on platform upgrades.
- Nifty Gateway: A curated marketplace known for high-end NFT drops from top artists and brands.
Browsing NFTs on OpenSea
Yield Aggregators
For users looking to maximize returns on their crypto holdings, yield aggregators automatically shift funds between DeFi lending protocols and liquidity pools to earn the highest interest rates. Top ones include:
- Yearn Finance: A suite of yield optimization products running on Ethereum, featuring vaults and automated strategies.
- Beefy Finance: A multi-chain yield optimizer with vaults for dozens of different DeFi platforms.
- Autofarm: An auto-compounding platform that supports a variety of blockchains including BNB Chain, Polygon, and Avalanche.
Yearn Finance vaults
Blockchain Games
Blockchain technology is poised to revolutionize the gaming industry with true ownership of in-game assets, play-to-earn models, and more. Some games to check out:
- Axie Infinity: A Pokémon-inspired game where you collect, breed, and battle cute creatures called Axies.
- The Sandbox: A virtual world where players can build, own, and monetize their gaming experiences.
- Splinterlands: A collectible trading card game built on the Hive blockchain.
Collecting and battling Axies
These are just a few examples from an ever-growing ecosystem. With Trust Wallet‘s DApp browser, you can easily explore and interact with hundreds of DApps across multiple blockchains.
Conclusion: The Future of the Decentralized Web
As the decentralized application space continues to mature, tools like Trust Wallet‘s DApp browser will play an increasingly important role in onboarding the next generation of users. By providing a user-friendly bridge to web3, Trust Wallet is helping to democratize access to the wealth of innovation happening on blockchains.
However, there are still hurdles to overcome. The current iOS limitations and the complexity of managing multiple wallet connections show that there is still work to be done in terms of usability and seamless integration. Clearer regulation around DApps and continued improvements to U,X will be key to bringing decentralized applications into the mainstream.
Trust Wallet is committed to staying at the forefront of these developments. In the words of Eowyn Chen:
"Our mission is to make decentralized finance and web3 accessible to the masses. We will continue to improve our DApp browser, explore new web3 browsing options, and work with the community to push the ecosystem forward."
As a user, you have the power to shape this future by engaging with DApps, providing feedback, and supporting projects you believe in. So dive in, explore, and discover the incredible potential of the decentralized web with Trust Wallet‘s DApp browser. The journey has only just begun.
