Here is the simple answer: as W3C stated, it is a new "language" for the web [1]. So you get alternative language options other than JS. That's it. Admittedly,

Here is the simple answer: as W3C stated, it is a new "language" for the web [1]. So you get alternative language options other than JS. That's it. Admittedly, The current state of WASM is somewhat limited. For example, it cannot touch DOM directly without JS now. One of the goals of WASM is that making it more browser-native module (just like ES6 modules) to remove such JS dependency. This goal will take years I guess. Of course, things make people confused as many guys are experimenting with WASM outside of the browser. But this is the initial goal in the web browser context. [1]: https://www.w3.org/2019/12/pressrelease-wasm-rec.html.en https://www.w3.org/2019/12/pressrelease-wasm-rec.html.en