RCryp.com is a website that focuses on exploring the web3 world and building decentralized applications (dApps) and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). The creator of the website is a cryptographer who has a background in cryptography and security. Although they are interested in cryptography, they have not yet been convinced of the potential of cryptocurrencies and NFTs.
The website features two dApps: Autonomous Art and First Derivative. Autonomous Art is a collective art piece that allows users to mint a token for an NFT by contributing a visual element to the artwork. The cost of making a visual contribution increases over time, and the funds paid by contributors are distributed to all previous artists. First Derivative is a platform that enables users to create, discover, and exchange NFT derivatives, which are financial assets that track an underlying NFT.
Although the dApps themselves are just normal React websites, the state and logic for updating the state are stored on the blockchain instead of a centralized database. However, in order to interact with the blockchain, the dApps need to make API calls to a remote server running an ethereum node. Currently, most dApps use either Infura or Alchemy to interact with the blockchain, which has raised concerns about centralization and privacy.
The website also features an NFT that changes based on who is looking at it, which highlights some of the issues with the current NFT specifications. For example, many NFTs contain a URL that points to the data, but there is no hash commitment for the data located at the URL. This means that anyone with access to the machine serving the data, or anyone who compromises the machine, can change the image, title, description, etc., for the NFT at any time.
Overall, RCryp.com is an interesting website that explores the potential of web3 and the challenges facing decentralized applications and NFTs. It highlights the need for better client/server interfaces and more secure NFT specifications.