Hotcoin Research｜Play and Earn in WEB3: In-depth Analysis and User Guide for Solana Blinks — Unlocking New On-chain Operations Across the Network
Introduction
In the world of blockchain and cryptocurrency, user experience has always been a crucial factor in driving the adoption and application of technology. With the development of Web3, more and more projects are dedicated to simplifying user operations and enhancing usability. Solana, as a leading public chain project, has recently launched two important tools: Actions and Blinks. These tools seamlessly integrate blockchain operations into various corners of the internet, allowing users to complete various on-chain operations without leaving their current applications.
This article will delve into the features, advantages, and future potential of Solana Blinks, while also exploring why we should use them in their early stages.
Introduction to Solana Blinks
What are Solana Actions and Blinks?
Solana Actions are standardized APIs that return transactions on the Solana blockchain, which can be previewed, signed, and sent in various environments, including QR codes, buttons, and widgets, as well as on internet websites. Actions enable developers to directly integrate functionalities from the Solana ecosystem into their environments, allowing blockchain transactions to be executed without leaving the current application or webpage.
Blinks, or blockchain links, convert any Solana Action into a shareable link rich in metadata. Blinks allow Action-aware clients (browser extension wallets, bots) to display additional functionalities for users. On websites, Blinks may instantly trigger transaction previews in wallets; in Discord, bots may expand Blinks into a set of interactive buttons. This extends on-chain interaction capabilities to any web interface that can display URLs.
Differences Between Actions and Blinks
Actions are APIs that allow complex business logic (on-chain and off-chain) to build transaction messages, which are previewed, signed, and sent by clients. Native buttons, QR codes, or URLs (Blinks) can initiate an Action.
Blinks are a way to interact with Actions. Blinks allow users to execute blockchain transactions directly from URLs, enabling decentralized applications to be accessed from any platform or device.
Differences Between Solana Pay and Actions
Solana Pay transactions are now referred to as Actions. Actions are not limited to payments but also include many other types of operations, such as voting, staking, swapping, minting, and more. Inspired by the Solana Pay specification, Actions expand the ways users interact with the blockchain in everyday environments.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Solana Blinks
Advantages
User-friendly Interface Blinks allow users to perform on-chain operations by simply clicking a link, reducing the learning curve for novice users.
High Compatibility Blinks can be used on any internet platform that supports displaying URLs, including social media, blogs, and e-commerce websites, making them widely applicable.
Strong Technical Foundation Blinks are built on Solana Actions. Actions provide various APIs that allow on-chain transactions to be presented in multiple forms, offering developers great flexibility and scalability.
Excellent User Experience Solana's high performance and low transaction fees make Blinks very smooth and efficient in practical applications, addressing issues of high latency and costs.
Disadvantages
Currently Limited to Desktop Applications Currently, Blinks can only be used on desktop, limiting their application on mobile devices. In contrast, similar tools like Farcaster Frames have already prioritized mobile.
Requires Cryptocurrency Wallet Although Blinks simplify on-chain operations, users still need a Solana wallet to use them, which poses a barrier for those unfamiliar with cryptocurrency.
Potential Risks in Early Stages As an emerging technology, Blinks may encounter various unforeseen issues, including challenges related to security and stability, before widespread adoption.
Differences Between Blinks on Solana and Frames on Farcaster
Compatibility
Both Blinks and Frames allow users to convert regular social media posts into links for on-chain operations, but there are significant differences in compatibility. Frames can only be used on Farcaster, while Blinks can be used on any internet platform that supports URLs. This gives Blinks a clear advantage in user reach.
Use Cases
The use cases for Frames are primarily focused within the Farcaster ecosystem, while Blinks can be applied in a broader internet environment. This means that whether users are on Twitter, blogs, or e-commerce platforms, they can conveniently use Blinks to complete on-chain operations.
Technical Support
Blinks currently only support desktop, while Frames have already prioritized mobile. This somewhat limits the application scenarios for Blinks, but with ongoing technological advancements, mobile compatibility is expected in the future.
Future Value of Solana Blinks
Driving Mass Adoption of Cryptocurrency
Blinks lower the barrier for users to enter the world of cryptocurrency by simplifying on-chain operations. Their emergence is expected to encourage more ordinary users to participate in cryptocurrency transactions and applications, thereby promoting the prosperity of the entire blockchain ecosystem.
Enhancing Application Scenarios for Blockchain Technology
Blinks can be used not only for purchasing NFTs but also for micropayments, donations, auctions, and various other scenarios. Their high flexibility and compatibility provide more possibilities for the application of blockchain technology.
Promoting the Development of the Web3 Ecosystem
By seamlessly integrating on-chain operations into various corners of the internet, Blinks are expected to become an important tool for promoting the development of the Web3 ecosystem. They not only simplify user operations but also provide developers with powerful tools, making more innovative applications possible.
Why We Should Use Solana Blinks Early
Experience Cutting-edge Technology
As a frontier technology in the blockchain field, Blinks offer users the opportunity to experience the latest advancements. Early adopters can feel the convenience and advantages it brings firsthand.
Participate in Ecosystem Development
By using Blinks, users can not only experience convenient on-chain operations but also contribute to the development of the entire Solana ecosystem. User participation and feedback are crucial for the continuous improvement and development of the technology.
Seize Market Opportunities
In the blockchain and cryptocurrency space, first-mover advantage is particularly important. Early adopters can seize opportunities and benefits in the rapid development of technology and markets.
Usage Tutorial
1. Prepare a Wallet that Supports Blinks
Download a supported wallet extension
- Phantom
- Website: https://phantom.app/
- Backpack
- Website: https://backpack.app/
- Solflare
- Website: https://solflare.com/
Create or import a Solana wallet
2. Enable Solana Action Functionality
Taking the Backpack wallet as an example, open the wallet and click the settings button on the top left corner.
Select the Solana network
Click to enable Solana Action functionality, and then you can use it on x.
3. Check Projects that Support Blink Functionality
Visit: https://blinkfans.xyz/
This website collects most of the projects that have already supported Blink, currently totaling 69.
4. Experience the Swap Function
We use the swap function of Jupiter, open https://jup.ag/swap/SOL-USDC
Next, go directly to Twitter and send the link of this page as a tweet, and we can see that the link has been recognized by the wallet extension.
Enter the amount for the swap, click to purchase, and you can link your wallet.
After linking, click again to see the details of the swap and confirm.
Afterward, we can see that the transaction is completed, and the corresponding transaction record has also increased in our wallet. We completed the swap on Twitter through Blink.
5. Experience the Donation Function
Visit the link: https://x.com/blinkfansxyz/status/1809773914542993697
After entering the amount, click to donate, and the wallet can be linked for interaction directly in the upper right corner.
After confirming the link, you can see the corresponding details of the transfer.
After confirming the transfer, we can see that it has been marked as completed in Actions, and our wallet also has the corresponding transaction record.
Ten Creative Ideas Built with Blinks and Actions
The following ideas come from @IrffanAsiff, and we can focus on the future growth and profit opportunities of similar projects:
1. Smart Messaging
Integrate smart messaging features in crypto-native applications (like Backpack chat, Glow Wallet chat, Solchat, etc.) to enable users to send and receive encrypted messages. This not only enhances user experience but also drives transaction volume and user engagement through message interactions, creating more profit opportunities.
2. Super Chats and Donations
In non-crypto applications (like YouTube live, Twitter live, Twitch, Discord, etc.), users can interact with their favorite content creators through super chats, donations, betting, swapping, and minting NFTs. This interaction model provides content creators with new revenue streams while increasing audience engagement and loyalty.
3. xNFTs 2.0
Implement the concept of xNFTs through Blinks, extending beyond wallet applications to browser interfaces or dApps. xNFTs 2.0 can be used in gaming, virtual worlds, and interactive media, bringing new economic models and growth opportunities to these fields.
4. Phantom Shortcuts
Phantom wallet can add actions to favorites through Blinks, enabling permissionless NFT staking/unstaking, reward claiming, and NFT sales on the market. This not only simplifies user operations but also increases platform activity and transaction volume, leading to greater profitability.
5. Donations for Developers and Open Source Projects
Developers can add Blink addresses in GitHub README files, profiles, or public projects to accept donations. Writers can also add Blinks in newsletters, Medium articles, etc., to receive donations. This provides developers and creators with new income channels, encouraging more participation in open source projects and content creation.
6. Donations for YouTube Content Creators
YouTube content creators can include Blinks in video descriptions or during live streams to accept donations. This way, content creators can receive direct support from viewers, increasing revenue sources and promoting the creation of more quality content.
7. Blink Explorer
Develop a Blink explorer for users to browse and discover popular Blinks. This can not only increase the usage of Blinks but also generate revenue through advertisements and premium features (like recommendation systems).
8. No-Code Blink Creation Tool
Provide users with a no-code tool to easily create Blinks. This can attract more non-technical users to participate in Blink creation and usage, expanding the user base and generating revenue through advanced features and subscription services.
9. Browser Extension
Develop a browser extension to add more Solana-enabled functional buttons to the user interface, such as action buttons on Twitter. This extension can enhance user convenience and operation frequency, thereby increasing platform activity and transaction volume, leading to more profit opportunities.
10. dApp Super Application
Build a super application using Blinks and Actions that can easily implement various functions without relying on SDKs. This super application can integrate functionalities from multiple dApps, providing one-stop services, increasing user engagement and activity, and achieving diversified profit models.
Conclusion
As an innovative tool for on-chain operations, Solana Blinks significantly contribute to the popularization and application of blockchain technology by simplifying user operations and enhancing usability. Although there are still some limitations, its future development potential is enormous. As users, we should actively participate in and experience this latest technology to jointly promote the development of the Web3 ecosystem.
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