# Introduction

## What This Is

This initiative is an exploration of the ideations of crypto and "web3" and its constituent technologies, aspirations and economics. The concept of [web3](/concepts/web3.md) is a fuzzy term often accused of being a buzzword that can be hard to make sense of, this initiative aims to address the misunderstands and shed a light on basic macroeconomics and technology for those tasked with doing sense-making for the public. Our [methodology](method.md) aims to create a balanced and moderate perspective that incorporates ideas from conventional macroeconomics, political economy and computer science.

This page serves as a root from which all other topics branch and can be explored. 

## Key Concepts

Understand the terminology used to describe crypto and web3.

* [web3](/concepts/web3.md)
* [cryptoasset](/concepts/cryptoasset.md)
* [bitcoin](/concepts/bitcoin.md)
* [ethereum](/concepts/ethereum.md)
* [blockchain](/concepts/blockchain.md)
* [currency](/concepts/currency.md)
* [assets](/concepts/assets.md)
* [speculative asset](/concepts/speculation.md)
* [crypto-exchange](/concepts/crypto-exchange.md)
* [bubble](/concepts/bubble.md)
* [dao](/concepts/dao.md)

### Claims

Explore web3 in terms of the claims of its 

1. [Is bitcoin a currency?](/claims/is-bitcoin-currency.md)
2. [What type of asset is a crypto token?](/claims/what-type-of-asset.md)
3. [How do we value a crypto token?](/claims/valuation-model.md)
4. Are crypto assets a systemic risk to the economy?
5. Are cryptoassets are being used to build a new internet?
6. Are crypto tokens a negative-sum investment?
7. Are crypto tokens a predatory investment?
8. Is bitcoin the basis for a new gold standard?
9. Is bitcoin mining harmful to the environment?
10. Are crypto assets a risk to the state?
11. Are crypto assets legal?
12. Is crypto a solution for the unbanked?
13. What is the narrative economics of crypto assets?

## Contextual

Understand Web3 in terms of recent news events and interviews.

* [interviews](/guide/interviews)
* [recent-events](/notes/recent-events.md)

## Ideologies

Understand Web3 in terms of different perspectives on politics and economics.

* [market-fundamentalism](../concepts/ideologies/market-fundamentalism.md)
* [austrian-economics](../concepts/ideologies/austrian-economics.md)
* [libertarianism](/idelogies/libertarianism.md)
* [technosolutionism](../concepts/ideologies/technosolutionism.md)
* [keynsian-economics](../concepts/ideologies/keynsian-economics.md)

## Supporting Concepts

Explore the deeper theoretical concepts behind the technical and economic claims.

**Economics**

* [artificial-scarcity](/concepts/artificial-scarcity.md)
* [asymmetric-information](/concepts/asymmetric-information.md)
* [central-banks](/concepts/central-banks.md)
* [currency](/concepts/currency.md)
* [currency-peg](/concepts/currency-peg.md)
* [free-rider-problem](/concepts/free-rider-problem.md)
* [gold-standard](/concepts/gold-standard.md)
* [market-manipulation](/concepts/market-manipulation.md)
* [moral-hazard](/concepts/moral-hazard.md)
* [public-goods-problem](/concepts/public-goods-problem.md)
* [zero-sum-game](/concepts/zero-sum-game.md)

**Technology**

* [blockchain](/concepts/blockchain.md)
* [cryptoasset](/concepts/cryptoasset.md)
* [defi](/concepts/defi.md)
* [decentralization](/concepts/decentralization.md)
* [ico](/concepts/ico.md)
* [nft](/concepts/nft.md)
* [ransomware](/concepts/ransomware.md)
* [smart-contracts](/concepts/smart-contracts.md)
* [stablecoin](/concepts/stablecoin.md)
* [mining](/concepts/mining.md)
* [cbdc](/concepts/cbdc.md)

**Regulation**

* [security](/concepts/security.md)
* [aml](/concepts/aml.md)
* [kyc](/concepts/kyc.md)