OpenChat, a blockchain-based chat app built on the Internet Computer (ICP) network, recently launched a new feature called "Communities," as announced on August 2nd. This development allows users to create groups within groups, akin to Discord's server and channel system.
Originally, the app was envisioned as an instant messaging platform similar to WhatsApp or Signal. However, the development team noticed users' inclination towards using the app to form public groups and communities. This prompted them to create a feature that would make OpenChat more suitable for public discussions and community-building, resulting in the creation of 'Communities.'
Unlike conventional groups, Communities allow admins to create subgroups within these communities, much like channels within Discord servers. Additionally, admins can make their communities private, resembling the functionality of a Slack group.
Julian Jeffs, the co-founder of OpenChat, stated in an interview with Cointelegraph that Communities would ultimately enable crypto protocols to create communities directly from their websites. This negates the need for users to download external programs like Discord or Telegram. Further plans for 'Communities integration' involve providing a server-to-server synchronization between OpenChat and each project or creating front-end components that can be dropped into project interfaces.
While popular messaging apps like Discord and Telegram remain widely used in the crypto community, they don't allow users to post messages using their Web3 identities. OpenChat aims to resolve this issue by creating a platform that uses wallet-based chat, giving users the chance to interact using their blockchain identities, thereby minimizing the risk of scam activities. This move reflects the broader trend towards wallet-based chat, exemplified by other projects like Grill.chat and the new messaging feature in the Coinbase wallet.
