Developers are frequently forced to make a difficult choice between building systems for mainstream adoption with app custody or to build for systems that optimize for openness and permissionless self-custodial wallets. This chasm between user experience and a composable web can be closed with account linking.

 In today’s post, we are going to break down:

• Flow blockchain’s focus on an open web
• Expand on the potential of account linking for users and developers
• Provide an update on ecosystem adoption for this new standard

Why focus on account linking

Flow has continuously innovated on how to develop applications for mainstream adoption. It started with protocol native account abstraction and developing wallets that could be hosted with traditional payment rails and social log-ins. We have found this model has taken hold across many web3 experiences, and through the development of Dapper Wallet, we have seen how these centralized experiences optimize for onboarding but are limited when it comes to composability for other applications.

With account linking, applications can onboard via walletless onboarding and enable users to explore the web3 ecosystem. Exploration and true ownership is the purpose of web3 and we are excited to show the next iteration of that potential. With account linking hitting Flow’s mainnet last month, we expect to see major adoption by crucial contributors in the Flow ecosystem. To understand and experience account linking check out this link.

Flow's focus on composability and interoperability

Flow blockchain was created for onboarding the mainstream through top-tier IP partners and as a place for the best developers to compose incredible experiences. 

Many times throughout the development of Flow’s protocol, discussions around the impact on decentralization, composability, and interoperability have directed us to take a more technically challenging path to enable users to truly own their digital assets the same way they would own physical ones. Also enabling developers to compose novel experiences with those assets. Account linking presents a new paradigm shift that enables mainstream applications to empower their users to explore what is possible with composability and interoperability openly while maintaining a first-class user experience. 

What does account linking mean for Flow’s ecosystem

Account linking will find its way into the ecosystem in many different forms for both the users and the developers. Enabling and unlocking new experiences to be built with this fundamental building block only available on Flow blockchain. 

For Users

Experience the ecosystem without withdrawing

As new applications, protocols, and brands launch on Flow, each will have the option to develop a walletless application or connect with an ecosystem-standard wallet like Flow Reference Wallet. This means that Flow will soon unleash many previously closed experiences into the open ecosystem for users to explore what is possible with their assets.

For users, account linking will simplify the management of these wallets by allowing them to connect and display assets across the entire chain. This smoother management process for the end user allows for the complexity and security to be understandable while boasting powerful controls.

True ownership of digital assets

With account linking, ownership and control are maintained by rules set on the Flow blockchain. True ownership allows users to take control and move their assets openly across the network without requiring permission. Digital assets should maintain the same expected rights as physical assets. A user should be able to control who has access to their assets and can take and modify their assets as they like.

For Developers

Mainstream, open, and interoperable ecosystem

Previously, developers had to select between user experience and interoperability within the ecosystem. Many applications on Flow have focused on onboarding mainstream audiences through walletless or embedded application wallet experiences. To learn more about building these experiences on Flow check out our docs. 

These experiences are ideal for converting new users to developer applications but have created a fractured and segmented ecosystem on Flow. Previously, technology drove the user experience, but with account linking an ideal user experience can be created without forgoing the web3 technology benefits of interoperability and composability. Developers who are creating mainstream walletless or embedded application wallets can empower users to explore with account linking. Developers working to compose novel applications on top can do so with wallets that are linked to these applications. Open marketplaces, trading, or gaming platforms can be available as central hubs across mainstream applications. To learn more about building with linked child accounts check out these docs.

New and emerging patterns with embedded app wallets

With account linking, new patterns are accessible to developers in building novel experiences for their users. Now applications can airdrop both assets and entire accounts to users on Flow. This account inbox pattern allows for applications to create a persistent connection to users and have a shared space of ownership to deliver and exchange assets where access and security are controlled by Flow. We are excited to see what other patterns and experiences can be explored on top of account linking.

Continued adoption of account linking

Dapper Wallet

Major thanks to Austin Kline on the Flowty team who led the charge with this most recent iteration of restricted account linking along with Flow developers. This iteration enabled Dapper Wallet to begin the work of opening up its previously restricted access by becoming a child account to a Flow wallet.  

We are excited to see Dapper open up and become what it was always intended to be. With account linking, users can take control of their assets. Applications can compose novel experiences with these assets that were not previously possible with Dapper Wallet. Dapper is starting its preview of account linking today, for more info please read our blog post.

Flowty

The Flowty team has played a pivotal role in building account linking:

"The Flowty team is proud of our leading role in the development of account linking, a revolutionary new feature, on Flow," said Michael Levy, Founder of Flowty. "We are excited to announce that account linking is already live on Flowty. Imagine being able to view, access, and manage all of your NFTs and funds across all of your accounts (wallets) from a single interface. Well...now you can."

Introducing: Account Linking on Flowty

"Users can now sign in to Flowty with one account (wallet) and manage/view NFTs from all linked accounts via their Flowty profile. List an NFT from any linked account, sell an NFT from one account and receive payment in a second account, take out a loan using NFTs in a Dapper Wallet as collateral (previously restricted to non-Dapper Wallets), pay for an NFT from one account while receiving the NFT in a second account, filter to view NFTs from specific accounts, and much more. In short, Flowty users can maintain the security, organization, and other advantages of using multiple accounts, while enjoying the ease of use and convenience of only managing a single account.

Account linking benefits also extend to collections across the ecosystem. Soon you will be able to collect $DUST (Flovatar) and other utility tokens from an NFT held in a Dapper Wallet. And look out for NFT collections with application-based wallets being added to Flowty's secondary marketplace. Account Linking use cases are extensive and we can't wait to explore them with you.

Visit Flowty's Account Linking hub to learn how you can get started today."

Emerald City DAO

"At Emerald City, we will be taking full advantage of account linking to implement walletless onboarding. Imagine logging in to claim a proof-of-attendance NFT (FLOAT) at an IRL event with your Google Account," said Jacob Tucker, Founder of Emerald City DAO. "Or even cooler, by scanning a QR code and claiming through guest checkout without even signing in.Furthermore, Emerald bot (a Discord utility for communities on the Flow blockchain) will be utilizing this as well. You will be able to claim, trade, make offers on & transfer assets directly through Discord. With account linking, you'll be able to take those assets into the broader ecosystem."

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