What Is FastAuth?

In March, the NEAR Protocol announced the launch of the Blockchain Operating System (BOS). The idea behind it was to create the ideal entry point to the Open Web and bridge the gap between Web2 and Web3. NEAR’s Blockchain Operating System also saw the introduction of several new features. One of the first and most powerful features to be introduced is FastAuth.

In this article, we will take a closer look at FastAuth, understand its importance, how it works, and what the future holds. Let’s get started!

What Is The Blockchain Operating System?

Before we move on to FastAuth, let’s briefly understand the Blockchain Operating System. Today, the world of Web2 and Web3 is heavily fragmented. Web2 is highly centralized, with each account controlled by a single entity. Meanwhile, Web3 is fragmented because each blockchain is siloed and cut off from the other. NEAR’s Blockchain Operating System addresses this issue by offering an avenue to discover experiences with common services such as a single identity, user-controlled data, and user-controlled assets.

The Blockchain Operating System is a new operating system designed for a more open web. The system is secure, highly decentralized, easy to onboard, easy to develop on, open source, and accessible to everyone. It was created as an open-source alternative to traditional giants such as Apple, Amazon, Google, Facebook, and Microsoft and eliminates the complexities typically associated with the Web3 space. It works with any blockchain or Web2 backend, enabling access to various gateways. End users get a continuous experience through the Blockchain Operating System, similar to using a single app, even if users have to switch between different chains or applications.

It also simplifies blockchain development, enabling developers to build on any chain, create code in familiar languages, and create innovative apps that are easily distributable and discoverable. This allows users to connect with a growing ecosystem of communities, people, and applications while maintaining complete control of their data. Furthermore, users don’t require any crypto to get started, with the Blockchain Operating System opening up a host of revenue streams and capabilities without needing any prior Web 3 experience.

What Is FastAuth?

FastAuth is a powerful feature introduced with the Blockchain Operating System that allows users to quickly and easily create accounts that can be used on any application or website that can be integrated with the Blockchain Operating System. FastAuth puts emphasis on user experience and creates a familiar, Web2-type onboarding experience that allows users to create their free account using traditional means such as email addresses, phone prompts, and even biometrics. This enables users to interact with applications quickly and allows them to re-authenticate to the app using the same or different device.

With FastAuth, users can create an account for any website or application on the Blockchain Operating System without requiring new passwords or needing to buy crypto. FastAuth is also great for developers, giving them a quick and easy way to get users to try new applications and components. This helps to significantly improve adoption and bring in millions of Web2 users into the Web3 ecosystem by lowering the entry barrier.

How Does FastAuth Work?

The introduction of FastAuth has helped address one of the biggest challenges in onboarding new users into the Web3 ecosystem. New users can set up a Blockchain Operating Service account as quickly as setting up a traditional account, while developers can deliver their Web3 apps, experiences, and components more seamlessly than ever before. Let’s look at how FastAuth is bridging the gap between Web2 and Web3 and improving Web3 adoption among Web2 users.

Quick And Seamless Onboarding Process And Email Recovery

One of the biggest challenges when onboarding users in Web3 is the complexity of the onboarding process and the need for users to remember complicated seed phrases. Most users are accustomed to traditional centralized authentication methods such as signing in with Google. As a result, using and getting accustomed to complex seed phrases can be quite daunting and create a significant entry barrier. This makes it difficult to onboard new users into the Web3 ecosystem.

Combining FastAuth with decentralized email recovery does away with the need for users to remember complicated seed phrases or third-party wallet applications. Users can simply recover an account using a “Single Sign-On” process with the email they have used during the registration process. FastAuth uses “Multi-Party Computation” to decentralize the account recovery process, paving the way for mass adoption through an easy, secure, and decentralized account recovery system.

As a result, FastAuth is able to address some of the most challenging aspects of onboarding new users into the Web3 ecosystem. Users can set up a Blockchain Operating System account quicker than creating a traditional Google or Facebook account. At the same time, developers can deliver apps, experiences, and Web3 components to users in a seamless manner.

No Third-Party Apps

FastAuth also eliminates the need to download and install third-party applications. This is because it creates a seamless, user-focused experience, making the open web accessible to everyone instantly, clearing the way for mainstream adoption. Any developer on the Blockchain Operating System can leverage FastAuth’s user-friendly experience and get users on their apps.

No Need For Crypto When Creating An Account

Until now, users that wished to explore and interact with apps in Web3 were required to hold or acquire crypto before getting started. FastAuth allows users to directly access the Web3 ecosystem without running around getting their hands on crypto. This is highly beneficial for all users, including end users, developers, and enterprises. FastAuth uses NEAR’s Zero Balance Accounts and Meta Transactions, enabling users to register their accounts free of charge. This is also advantageous for developers because Meta Transactions are paired with relayers, enabling initial interactions without acquiring $NEAR.

Who Can Use FastAuth?

FastAuth is an ideal solution for developers, end users, and enterprises. Let’s look at how each can benefit from it.

Developers

Thanks to FastAuth’s streamlined onboarding experience, developers can increase the conversion rate for users trying their applications and components. It can also expand an app’s user base by giving it greater mainstream exposure.

Enterprises

FastAuth allows enterprises to easily integrate Web3 and crypto into their businesses with just a few lines of code. Businesses can easily onboard users into a powerful community and experiences which are accessible, decentralized, and highly secure.

End Users

Through FastAuth, users can set up their user-owned account in seconds, enabling them to get started with Web3 quickly and seamlessly.

In Closing: The Future

FastAuth is just getting started, and there are several other features and upgrades that are in the pipeline. In its effort to bridge Web2 and Web3 FastAuth aims to introduce the following features in the near future.

• Multi-chain compatibility
• Additional MPC Decentralization
• Two-factor authentication
• Expanding relayers and FastAuth to gateways beyond NEAR.

If you wish to learn more about the upcoming FastAuth features, check out near.org for more information. If you wish to try out FastAuth for yourself, you can create an account here and then use the same account to sign in everywhere on NEAR.