Industry Players Discuss Blockchain Trends
Taipei Blockchain Week kicked off this week with around 2,000 people from the crypto community gathering on Thursday to hear industry players discuss blockchain trends.
One of the key topics of discussion was Layer 1’s role in Web3 in 2024, highlighting the importance of the underlying blockchain infrastructure in supporting decentralized applications.
Another area of focus was the future of decentralized finance (DeFi), with participants exploring the potential of blockchain technology to revolutionize traditional financial systems.
“Traditional media still associate crypto and blockchain with scams and illicit funds – but if you look at data issued by the US financial crime office Chainalysis and many other research pieces — the amount of illicit funds going into crypto is 0.02%,” said Richard Teng, CEO of Binance.
Regulation & Growth in the Crypto Space
The event opened with a keynote speech from the Mayor of Taipei, Chiang Wan-an, who emphasized the city’s welcoming stance towards innovation and blockchain technology.
High-profile guest speakers included Ethereum creator Vitalik Buterin and Binance’s new CEO Richard Teng. Teng spoke about the importance of regulation in the crypto space, highlighting the need to support growth while managing risks.
Furthermore, Teng expressed his bullish outlook on crypto, citing the upcoming Bitcoin Halving and the potential approval of an ETF in the US as catalysts for increased institutional participation in the space.
“The akaSwap team was one of the startups that really caught my eye with their unique gamification approach they take when building their products,” said David Tng, head of growth at TZ APAC.
Ethereum’s Pipeline and Taiwan’s Innovation
Vitalik Buterin provided insights into Ethereum’s pipeline and the progress of its development. He explained concepts like the enshrined Zero-Knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine (ZK-EVM), which aims to enhance the efficiency and security of Ethereum transactions.
Having been granted a Taiwan Employment Gold Card, Buterin has a special connection to Taiwan and appreciates the country’s innovative environment.
Taipei Blockchain Week not only offers networking opportunities but also serves as a platform for showcasing innovative projects. Startups like akaSwap are praised for their unique gamification approach to product development.
Positive Market Sentiment
The atmosphere at Taipei Blockchain Week remains upbeat despite the volatility in the cryptocurrency market. The price of Bitcoin has recently surged to $42,777, reflecting a 4% increase.
Optimism has been fueled by the Federal Reserve’s dovish stance on future rate hikes and discussions surrounding the approval of Bitcoin Spot ETFs. Investment giant BlackRock sees the Fed’s stance as a ‘green light for investors.’
Determined to seize networking opportunities and witness the innovation in the region, attendees like David Tng, head of growth at TZ APAC, traveled to Taipei Blockchain Week from Singapore.
