How to invest in Web 3.0
Here are three core holdings at the forefront of Web 3.0 development that could shape the next era of the internet, according to Chanchal Samadder, head of product at ETC Group


The internet is entering a new phase, known as Web 3.0, which shifts power from centralised technology giants towards individual users by prioritising decentralisation, privacy and digital ownership. Technologies such as blockchain, decentralised finance (DeFi) and nonfungible tokens (NFTs) are driving this change, offering a more user-controlled and resilient internet. Web 3.0 has the potential to revolutionise how we interact online, promising greater autonomy and opportunities for users. Web 3.0 represents more than just a technological shift. It’s a movement towards decentralisation, new digital economies and empowering users.
For investors seeking exposure to this trend, the ETC Group Web 3.0 UCITS ETF (LSE: WEB3) offers an option. This exchange-traded fund focuses on companies at the forefront of Web 3.0 development – companies building the digital infrastructure, decentralised applications and “metaverse” platforms that could shape the next era of the internet. Here are three key holdings.
Top stocks to buy into the Web 3.0 boom
Coinbase Global’s (Nasdaq: COIN) core function as a platform for buying, selling and storing digital assets makes it a foundational player in the Web 3.0 system. The company’s integration with decentralised finance aligns closely with the principles of Web 3.0, enabling users to access tokens and engage with decentralised applications (known as “dApps”) through its platform.
MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
In addition, Coinbase has launched its own NFT marketplace, tapping into a key aspect of Web 3.0’s focus on digital ownership. The rise of NFTs reflects the broader shift towards a creators’ economy, where digital assets can be owned, traded and monetised. With its self-custody wallet and seamless integrations with various dApps, Coinbase is offering users a direct gateway into the decentralised web.
Roblox (NYSE: RBLX) is a prominent example of the creator-driven economy that Web 3.0 seeks to enhance. The platform empowers users to design, monetise and share their own virtual experiences, allowing creators to profit directly from their digital work. This aligns with Web 3.0’s vision of decentralised ownership, where individuals have greater control over their digital assets and creations. Beyond this, Roblox is deeply involved in developing the metaverse, a key component of Web 3.0. The metaverse is envisioned as an interconnected digital space where users can socialise, work and trade in virtual environments. Roblox’s thriving virtual economy, powered by its in-platform currency Robux, mirrors the decentralised financial models that Web 3.0 aims to establish. By facilitating immersive, user-generated worlds, Roblox is setting the stage for the future of online interaction.
Powering the new era’s infrastructure
The infrastructure that underpins Web 3.0 requires huge computing power, and Nvidia (Nasdaq: NVDA) is a central player in this area. Its market-leading graphics processing units (GPUs) are vital for blockchain processing, artificial intelligence (AI) applications and the development of the metaverse. GPUs are crucial to supporting the computational demands of decentralised networks and applications, making Nvidia’s technology integral to Web 3.0’s infrastructure.
Furthermore, Nvidia’s Omniverse platform is enabling the creation of interconnected virtual worlds, fostering collaboration and interoperability within the metaverse. The group is also actively involved in research aimed at enhancing blockchain technology and exploring ways to improve efficiency and scalability in decentralised networks.
This article was first published in MoneyWeek's magazine. Enjoy exclusive early access to news, opinion and analysis from our team of financial experts with a MoneyWeek subscription.
Get the latest financial news, insights and expert analysis from our award-winning MoneyWeek team, to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
Chanchal Samadder is a seasoned professional in the exchange-traded product ETP and ETF industry, with over 15 years of experience in building market-leading, innovative investment franchises. Prior to joining ETC Group in 2023, Chanchal held senior leadership roles across distribution, product and strategy at BlackRock, Aberdeen Standard Investments and Lyxor (Amundi).
-
What is the 25x retirement rule and does it work?
The 25x retirement rule has been around for decades but many experts question if it is a suitable strategy
-
When is the self-assessment tax return deadline?
If you are self-employed, rent out a property or earn income from savings or investments, you may need to complete a self-assessment tax return. We run through the deadlines you need to know about
-
Are wealthy whisky enthusiasts leaving Britain?
Collectables Wealthy whisky enthusiasts are heading to tax-friendly countries such as Dubai, where there is more disposable income to spend on collectable luxuries like rare whisky.
-
'The rise and fall of Kodak is a lesson for the tech giants'
Opinion The long decline of Kodak – a once-dominant company – shows why no business is safe from disruption, says Matthew Lynn
-
8 of the best properties for sale with kitchen gardens
The best properties for sale with kitchen gardens – from a 17th-century timber-framed hall house in Norfolk, to an Arts & Crafts house in West Sussex designed by Charles Voysey with a garden by Gertrude Jekyll
-
Why investors can no longer trust traditional statistical indicators
Opinion The statistical indicators and data investors have relied on for decades are no longer fit for purpose. It's time to move on, says Helen Thomas
-
Investors rediscover the virtue of value investing over growth
Growth investing, betting on rapidly expanding companies, has proved successful since 2008. But now the other main investment style seems to be coming back into fashion.
-
8 of the best properties for sale with shooting estates
The best properties for sale with shooting estates – from an estate in a designated Dark Sky area in Ayrshire, Scotland, to a hunting estate in Tuscany with a wild boar, mouflon, deer and hare shoot
-
What we can learn from Britain’s "Dashing Dozen" stocks
Stocks that consistently outperform the market are clearly doing something right. What can we learn from the UK's top performers and which ones are still buys?
-
The most likely outcome of the AI boom is a big fall
Opinion Like the dotcom boom of the late 1990s, AI is not paying off – despite huge investments being made in the hope of creating AI-based wealth