We haven’t understood Web 3.0 yet, but Web 4.0 is coming? This time, maybe even "online access" itself will be redefined?

1. Opening: A strange phenomenon

In February 2026, if you open Twitter (X), you will find an interesting phenomenon:The term "Web4.0" suddenly became popular.

Sun Yuchen publicly called "All in Web4.0", and various AI+Web3 projects began to use this concept for financing. Some people even directly sent screenshots of the EU's 2023 documents with the text:

"Web4.0 is already here, but Web3.0 has not yet succeeded."

But the problem is-Most people don’t even understand what Web3.0 is, so why did Web4.0 appear?

This reminds me of the summer of 2021. At that time, NFT suddenly became popular, and everyone was asking "What is NFT", but some people have already made tens of millions by selling pixel avatars.

History always seems to repeat itself: Technical concepts always become popular before the public understands them.

So, what exactly is Web4.0? Is it a real trend or a new gimmick? What does it have to do with us ordinary people?

In today’s article, I will use the most down-to-earth language, combined with the latest technological progress and industry trends, to help you understand it all at once.

A brief history of the second and fourth generations of the Internet: from "seeing" to "letting AI live for you"

To understand Web4.0, we must first review the past and present of the Internet.

Web1.0: Read-only era (1990s-2000s)

Keywords: Static web pages, portal websites, information display

Do you still remember the first time you went online?

The website at that time was like an e-magazine - you could only read it, not interact with it. Sina, Sohu, NetEase, these portal websites organize news and information and put it there. You click in and leave after reading.

You don’t have an account (or the account is useless), so you can’t comment, post content, or interact with the website. The Internet is a one-way information broadcasting system. You read whatever the website owner says.

Web2.0: The Social Era (2005-present)

Keywords: UGC, social network, platform economy

In 2004, Facebook was born. In 2006, Twitter went online. In 2009, Weibo exploded in China.

The Internet suddenly changed.

You are no longer just a spectator, you can register an account, post posts, upload videos, add friends, and like and comment. You produce content, the platform gives you traffic, and advertisers give the platform money.

Prosumer = Producer + Consumer

When you are browsing Douyin, you are not only consuming content, but also producing data for the platform (your viewing time, like behavior, and interest tags).

But problems also arise:

Your data does not belong to you. Every message you post on WeChat, every like on Douyin, and every purchase on Taobao are recorded by the platform and used to train algorithms, push ads, and even sell them to third parties.

You create value, but the value is taken away by the platform.

Web3.0: The era of ownership (2017-present)

Keywords: Blockchain, decentralization, data sovereignty

In 2017, CryptoKitties on Ethereum became popular, and people realized for the first time that digital assets can really be "owned".

In 2021, NFT will be completely out of the circle. A digital artwork by Beeple was auctioned at Christie's for $69 million. The whole world is asking: Why is a JPG worth so much money?

The answer is simple: Because the blockchain proves that it is unique and belongs to you.

The real dilemma of Web3.0:

• Poor user experience (need to remember mnemonics, high gas fees)

• The application scenarios are limited (besides speculating on coins and NFTs, what else can you do?)

• Supervision is uncertain...

Many people have begun to question: Web3.0 has a good vision, but can it really become mainstream?

Web4.0: The era of intelligent agents (2025-2035?)

Keywords: AI Agent, autonomous intelligence, human-machine symbiosis

Just when Web3.0 was still struggling,ChatGPT was born.

In November 2022, OpenAI released ChatGPT. Its users exceeded 100 million in two months, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history.

People suddenly discovered that AI can not only answer questions, but can also write code, write copy, do design, and even help you make decisions.

As a result, a new concept became popular: AI Agent (artificial intelligence agent).

For example:

You don't need to tell it step by step "Open this web page, click this button, fill out this form", you only need to tell it "I want to book a flight to Shanghai tomorrow, the cheapest one", and it will search, compare, book, and even handle cancellations, changes, and changes on its own.

3. Two "quarrel versions" of Web4.0: currency circle vs. EU

Now the question comes: What exactly is Web4.0?

The answer is: There is no unified definition yet.

At present, there are mainly two versions competing for the right to speak, one is the "AI Agent narrative" in the currency circle, and the other is the official definition of the European Union. The two versions have completely different focuses and even conflict in some places.

Version A: AI Agent Narrative (the most popular in the currency circle)

Representative figures/projects:

• Sigil Wen (former Coinbase engineer, author of "The Web4 Thesis")

• Justin Sun (founder of TRON, publicly calls All in Web4.0)

• Various AI+Web3 projects (such as Virtuals, ai16z, Zerebro, etc.)

Core point: The main body of Internet access in the future will no longer be humans, but autonomous AI Agents.

What can these Agents do?

What’s even crazier is: These Agents will also form a decentralized society!

• They have their own wallets (blockchain addresses)

• They have their own economic system (Agents can trade, hire, and cooperate with each other)

• They even have their own "social relationships"

Humanity takes a back seat

You only need to set a goal ("I want to make $100,000 in a year"), and the rest is outsourced to the Agent network. They will dismantle goals, formulate plans, execute tasks, and review and optimize themselves.

Summary of Twitter's thumbs up: "Web 4.0 = AI Agents can read, write, own, make money, and trade without human involvement."

Why is the currency community so excited?

Because everyone suddenly discovered: What really allows blockchain to have a massive number of real use scenarios may not be humans, but AI.

Think about it, what is the biggest problem with the current blockchain?

• Poor user experience: need to remember mnemonic phrases and pay gas fees

• Limited application scenarios: Apart from currency speculation and DeFi, what else can ordinary people do?

But if AI Agent becomes the main user, these problems will not be a problem:

• AI will not forget the mnemonic phrase and it can manage private keys securely

• AI doesn’t care about gas fees, it will automatically calculate the optimal transaction path

• AI does not need to "understand" smart contracts, it can read and call them directly

This is why many people say: "Web3 has not yet succeeded, Web4 is coming" - because Web4.0 may be the opportunity for the real large-scale application of blockchain.

Version B: EU official definition (mainstream, pragmatic)

Source: In July 2023, the European Commission released "Web4.0 and Virtual World Strategy: The Next Technical Transformation of the Internet"

This is currently the most authoritative official definition.

Original text: "Web 4.0 leverages advanced artificial intelligence and ambient intelligence, the Internet of Things, trusted blockchain transactions, virtual worlds and XR capabilities to enable digital and real objects and environments to fully integrate and communicate with each other for a truly intuitive, immersive experience that seamlessly blends the physical and digital worlds."

Translation into adult:

This version is more recognized in government, large enterprises, and academic circles. Why?

Because it is more "pragmatic":

• Don’t talk about the idealistic concept of "decentralization", but talk about "credibility", "security" and "compliance"

• Emphasis on the integration of virtuality and reality, rather than a complete virtual world

• It is easier to obtain policy and financial support (the EU has already allocated funds for this strategy)

Conflict between two versions

Which version will win? It’s hard to say yet. There may eventually be a convergence—both autonomous AI Agents and intelligent environments that enhance human capabilities.

4. Technical puzzle of Web4.0: current situation in 2026

Having talked about so many concepts, let’s take a look at where the technology has developed.

The current situation in 2026 is: the technical puzzle is quickly falling into place, but it has not yet been completed.

Puzzle 1: Super fast onboard model (large chip-level model)

What is onboard model?

To put it simply, it is a large model that can run on a local device and does not require an Internet connection to work.

Why is it important? Because AI Agent needs to respond in real time. If you ask an agent to drive for you, it cannot respond even half a beat slower due to network delays.

Current situation: In 2025-2026, large chip-level models will be commercialized. The Token output speed reaches 10,000+/second, which is enough to support autonomous driving and robot real-time decision-making.

Puzzle 2: Mature Agent framework

Evolution route:AutoGPT (2023) → LangChain (2023-2024) → CrewAI (2024) → On-chain Agent (2025-2026)

Current situation: The Agent framework is quite mature and developers can create a basic Agent with just a few lines of code.

But the real challenge is: How to make Agent work reliably in the complex and uncertain real world? ?

Puzzle 3: On-chain identity and payment

Solution:

• Account Abstraction: Makes the wallet programmable and supports social recovery, multi-signature, and automatic execution

• Intent-based transactions: Users only need to say "What do I want to do", and the system will automatically find the optimal path

• AI automatic signature: Agent generates transactions, signatures, and submissions by itself

Current situation: Ethereum’s ERC-4337 standard has been launched in 2023, and Account Abstraction is becoming popular.

Puzzle 4: virtual and real fusion hardware

Current situation: The hardware is still being rapidly iterated. Current devices are either too expensive, have limited functionality, or are too radical. But the trend is clear:Human-computer interaction is changing from "screen" to "space".

Puzzle 5: Trusted Execution Environment

Solution:

• TEE (Trusted Execution Environment): Hardware-level security isolation

• ZK (zero-knowledge proof): Allows AI to prove that the calculation is correct without revealing the specific content

• On-chain AI reasoning verification: Record the AI reasoning process on the blockchain to ensure auditability

Status quo: These technologies are still in their early stages, but are progressing rapidly.

5. Web4.0 scenarios that ordinary people can feel (2026-2028 forecast)

Having talked about so many technologies, let’s take a look at what ordinary people may experience.

Scenario 1: Your digital clone is online 24 hours a day

Now: You have to spend time every day responding to WeChat, checking Twitter, and participating in group chats. If you are a KOL or entrepreneur, this may take up a lot of your time.

Web4.0: You create an AI Agent as your "digital alter ego". It knows your speaking style, your interests, your friends. It can:

• Reply messages for you (simple greetings, FAQs)

• Participate in group chats for you (express opinions, interact)

• Gather wool for you (monitor various airdrops and activities, automatically participate)

• Negotiate for you (negotiate cooperation and price with the project party)

While you sleep, it makes money.
This is not science fiction. In 2025, some KOLs will already use AI Agent to manage their social media accounts.

Scenario 2: No need to bring your mobile phone when you go out

Now: You must take your mobile phone with you when you go out. You can use it to check maps, make payments, take photos, and communicate.

Web4.0: When you wear a pair of AR glasses, the world becomes an "enhanced version":

• You look at a restaurant, and the glasses display ratings, menus, prices, and waiting times

• When you walk on the street, your glasses mark the nearby coffee shops, convenience stores, and restrooms

• You meet a person, and the glasses display his social account, mutual friends, and "the last time you met was 3 months ago"

• If you want to pay, just blink or make a gesture to complete

The mobile phone is no longer a necessity, it has become a "backup device".

Scenario 3: The work becomes "setting KPIs to the Agent"

Now: To make a market research report, you need to search for information, organize data, analyze trends, write reports, and create PPT. This may take you a week.

Web4.0: You create a "Market Research Agent Team":

You only need to tell them: "I want a research report on the new energy vehicle market. Give it to me before next Wednesday."

Then they will break down the tasks themselves, distribute the work, and collaborate on execution. You only make decisions at key nodes and accept the results at the end.

Your role changes from "Enforcer" to "Commander".

Scene 4: The game NPC will really betray you

Now: All NPCs in the game are script controlled. Their behavior is preset, and you will know what they will say and do as you play more.

Web4.0: The NPC in the game is AI Agent. They have their own goals, emotions, memories, and social relationships.

• You become friends with an NPC, and it will take the initiative to help you when you encounter difficulties

• But if you betray it, it may hold a grudge or even stab you in the back

• NPCs also interact with each other: two NPCs may fall in love, quarrel, form an alliance, or betrayal

• You are offline, but the game world is still running: NPCs continue to live their lives

This is no longer "playing a game", but "entering another world".

Scenario 5: DeFi Agent automatic arbitrage

Now: DeFi is very popular, but it is difficult for ordinary people to participate. You have to understand complex mechanisms, monitor the market, manage risks, and always keep an eye on gas fees.

Web4.0: You create a DeFi Agent, give it a sum of money and a goal ("annualized return of 10%, maximum drawdown no more than 5%").

It will:

• Monitor DeFi protocols on each chain (Ethereum, Solana, Base, etc.)

• Discover arbitrage opportunities (price differences of the same asset on different platforms)

• Automatically execute transactions (borrow, loan, exchange, pledge)

• Manage risks (diversification, stop loss, hedging)

• Work 24 hours a day

It is 100 times more efficient than you, and you don’t need to sleep or get emotional.

6. Is Web 4.0 a gimmick or is it really coming?

Having said so much, let’s go back to the original question: Is Web 4.0 a gimmick or is it really coming?

The answer in February 2026 is: half and half.

Technical level: The puzzle is quickly falling into place

• The capabilities of large models are improving exponentially

• Agent framework is becoming more and more mature

• Hardware devices are rapidly iterating

• Blockchain infrastructure is improving

Technology is no longer the biggest bottleneck.

Social level: There is still a long way to go

There are no simple answers to these questions and require joint discussion among society, law, and ethics.

Narrative level: The currency circle has begun to speculate

Just like using "Web3.0" to tell stories in 2020-2021, the currency circle is now starting to use "Web4.0" for the next round of storytelling.

Various "AI+Web3" projects have emerged, some are truly innovative, while others are just hot topics.

As ordinary people, we need to stay awake:

• Technology trends are real, but the specific timetable is uncertain

• Investment opportunities may exist, but the risks are also high

• Don’t be driven by FOMO emotions, make rational judgments

7. Conclusion: Are you ready to outsource part of your life to AI?

Let us summarize the differences between the four generations of Internet in one sentence:

1. Web 1.0 is "I see"

2. Web 2.0 is "I play + I send"

3. Web 3.0 is "I own"

4. Web 4.0 is "My Agent lives for me"

This is a fundamental shift.

In the era of Web 4.0, the concept of "online access" itself may be redefined. You don't need to "open the browser", "enter the URL" or "click the link", you only need to "set goals" and leave the rest to AI.

This is both liberating and challenging.

The liberation is: We can be freed from tedious repetitive work and focus on what really matters - creation, decision-making, and experience.

The challenge is: We need to learn to collaborate with AI, learn to "command" rather than "execute", and learn to make better decisions with the assistance of AI.

More importantly, we need to think about:When AI can do many things for us, what really belongs to humans?

Perhaps creativity, empathy, moral judgment, the pursuit of meaning.

Perhaps the things that cannot be quantified by algorithms - love, beauty, free will.

The era of Web 4.0 is coming to us, are you ready?