InRhythm Propel Lunch & Learn Series
Speaker: Hamid Mahmood
Introduction
In an era of rapid decentralization, the convergence of blockchain technology, digital assets, and smart contracts is reshaping how software engineers build applications. In a recent InRhythm Propel Lunch & Learn, iOS engineer Hamid Mahmood demystified these core Web3 technologies, providing developers with a practical entry point into this emerging landscape.
Key Concepts
Web3 & Blockchain Fundamentals
Before diving into smart contracts, it’s critical to understand Web3 and blockchain:
- Web2 vs Web3: Web2 is the centralized internet we use today. Web3 represents a decentralized future where platforms are owned by users, not corporations.
- Blockchain: A distributed ledger that records immutable transactions verified by a network of nodes. It’s permissionless and trustless—no intermediaries are required.
Nodes and Validation
- Node Providers supply the infrastructure to create and maintain blockchain nodes.
- Node Validators are entities or individuals that verify transactions. Consensus is achieved when multiple nodes validate a transaction, after which it becomes immutable.
Smart Contracts Explained
A smart contract is a self-executing software program deployed on a blockchain. Think of it as a hosted backend that automatically enforces business logic—without a server or middleman. Once deployed, its code is public, immutable, and permissionless.
- Supported Languages:
- Solidity (for Ethereum)
- Rust + Anchor (for Solana)
- Move (for Sui and Aptos)
Smart contracts can:
- Be invoked by apps and wallets
- Execute logic in return for gas fees
- Retain a state recorded forever on-chain
Best Practices for Developers
1. Choose the Right Chain
Each blockchain has its own strengths:
- Ethereum: Battle-tested, widely adopted, ideal for finance (but high gas fees)
- Solana: High throughput, fast finality (~1s), great for gaming and content apps
- Sui & Aptos: Fastest chains (200ms finality), tailored for NFTs and next-gen Web3 apps
2. Use Development Environments Effectively
- Testnet/Devnet: Deploy smart contracts without using real value. Receive test tokens via faucet scripts.
- Mainnet: For production use; real gas fees apply and liquidity providers participate.
3. Leverage Oracles Thoughtfully
Oracles feed external (Web2) data to smart contracts. Use reputable oracle networks like Chainlink to ensure trust and security.
4. Build Composably
Combine multiple protocols to form composable financial primitives (aka “money legos”):
- Lending: Aave
- Yield optimization: Yearn
- Insurance: Nexus Mutual
These can be stacked to create novel financial products.
Actionable Tips
- Start with Solidity: It’s easy to learn for developers familiar with JavaScript or TypeScript.
- Deploy Simple Smart Contracts:
- Token contract (ERC-20)
- NFT contract (ERC-721)
- Voting DAO contract
- Use CI/CD for Smart Contracts:
- Automate testing and deployments with GitHub Actions, Bitrise, or Jenkins
- Integrate Front-End Apps:
- Use Graph protocol to index blockchain data for UI rendering
- Connect wallets (e.g., MetaMask, Phantom) for interaction
- Understand Gas: Every transaction costs gas paid in the chain’s native token (e.g., ETH, SOL)
Real-World Applications
DeFi (Decentralized Finance)
Smart contracts underpin DeFi apps such as:
- Aave and Compound: Lending and borrowing
- Uniswap and Raydium: Decentralized exchanges
- Vaults: Auto-invest tools that reinvest profits algorithmically
Digital Assets
Smart contracts can represent:
- Tokens (ERC-20, SPL)
- NFTs (ERC-721, SPL variants)
- DApps: Fully decentralized applications (“layer 3” on top of layer 1 blockchains)
DAOs
Decentralized Autonomous Organizations let token holders vote on protocol changes. Example: Uniswap DAO.
Micropayments and M2M (Machine-to-Machine)
Use cases include:
- Real-time payments for IoT (e.g., self-driving cars paying charging stations)
- Fractional real estate ownership via tokenized assets
- Data marketplaces where users get paid in tokens for sharing browsing behavior
Custody Models and Institutional Adoption
Digital asset ownership comes with different custody models:
- Non-Custodial Wallets (e.g., MetaMask, Phantom): Users hold their private keys and seed phrases—no KYC required. Full control, but risky if keys are lost.
- Custodial Wallets/Exchanges (e.g., Coinbase): Easier to use and recover, but keys are managed by the provider and subject to KYC/AML requirements.
Institutional adoption is accelerating. Bitcoin ETFs and blockchain-compliant rails are helping large financial institutions engage with digital assets. Composable compliance models—hybrids of permissioned and permissionless systems—are emerging as a preferred approach.
Conclusion
Blockchain and smart contracts are more than buzzwords. For developers, they represent a powerful shift in how we build and interact with software.
From composable DeFi protocols to DAOs and tokenized assets, smart contracts unlock a new paradigm for ownership, automation, and global access to value.
As adoption grows, so does the opportunity for software engineers to lead in shaping this decentralized future. InRhythm remains committed to empowering our developers with the knowledge, tools, and community to thrive in this evolving space.