Many contributors in trade hackathons are simply seeking to make some fast prize cash and transfer on to the subsequent contest — Dominic Kwok calls them “bounty hunters.”
However EasyA, the start-up for builders that he and his brother Phil began 4 years in the past, is in search of a unique kind of competitor — those that want to construct firms that may have a big influence on Web3. It’s an strategy that has proved fruitful, with the businesses popping out of EasyA’s app group and month-to-month in-person hackathons having raised cash at a collective valuation of over $3 billion from high VC corporations equivalent to a16z crypto and CMT Digital. And EasyA’s cell app, which helps builders simply begin constructing their very own Web3 initiatives, has over one million customers worldwide.
On the first EasyA Consensus hackathon in Austin final Might, greater than 700 contributors launched 100 totally different crypto initiatives, and the Kwoks predict comparable numbers for upcoming occasions at Consensus Hong Kong and Consensus Toronto (in case you’d like to use for the EasyA Hackathon at Consensus Hong Kong 2025, please go right here).
Right here they talk about why their distinctive strategy to hackathons, how they anticipate Consensus Hong Kong will differ from hackathons in different elements of the world and the way Donald Trump’s election might have an effect on the varieties of initiatives crypto builders deal with.
This collection is delivered to you by Consensus Hong Kong. Come and expertise essentially the most influential occasion in Web3 and Digital Property, Feb.18-20. Register immediately and save 15% with the code CoinDesk15.
This interview has been condensed and evenly edited for readability.
How did EasyA get began?
Dominic: So we initially launched EasyA about 4 years in the past because the go to put for anybody to study in regards to the world’s greatest blockchains. Anybody can use the EasyA app on iOS and Android to study in regards to the high Layer Ones on the market, like Solana, Polkadot, Stellar and Ripple’s XRP Ledger. And folks can discover ways to not solely develop, but additionally launch their very own initiatives. We additionally host numerous massive hackathons in individual all around the globe, wherein a whole lot of individuals are available in individual and launch initiatives on our blockchain companions. And the aim is to get these folks not simply launching, however then additionally founding and constructing startups that go on to get funded by the ecosystem and VCs.
How do you strategy hackathons otherwise than different firms that run these?
Dominic: Two issues. The primary is that EasyA could be very targeted on founders who need to begin their very own firms, versus hackathon “bounty hunters.” We actually need to be sure that our contributors truly stick round and construct their initiatives as a result of that’s the place we see the way forward for Web3 actually being constructed from. And the second factor is most of our hackathons are single chain, so contributors deal with one piece of tech they usually truly launch on that one, versus specializing in 50 totally different chains. We need to put folks in entrance of one of the best ecosystems which have essentially the most help for builders.
How do you suppose the Consensus hackathon in Hong Kong will likely be totally different from these you maintain in different elements of the world?
Dominic: The dimensions is simply going to be tremendous massive. We have already had a file variety of folks apply for the seats within the area. We’ll clearly have folks from Hong Kong, however then additionally from different Asian international locations like India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and China. And we’re additionally seeing large numbers of individuals from the West need to come. For a lot of of these folks, it’s going to be the primary time they’ve truly been to Asia.
Do you anticipate there to be variations within the varieties of initiatives that builders in Asia pursue, versus these in different elements of the world?
Phil: There is a geographical ingredient after which there’s additionally a thematic one. An enormous theme that we have seen come up over the previous couple of weeks is AI x Web3, and numerous builders are enthusiastic about that intersection. We have additionally seen protocols like virtuals actually kick off and develop into very profitable, so I believe we’ll see numerous that. Geographically, in Asia there are clearly so many alternative currencies, and we’re seeing that builders there truly perceive these cross-border use instances loads higher. In the event you’re a U.S.-based developer, you do not essentially see these friction factors a ton. So I believe that we will see much more of the cross border fee options begin to flesh themselves out.
How do you suppose Donald Trump’s presidency will have an effect on the sorts of initiatives you see at your hackathons?
Phil: Clearly DeFi has all the time been one of many largest areas of product market slot in crypto — arguably one of many few that really has that match. However up to now due to, frankly, how scared numerous builders have been within the States, lots of people simply weren’t constructing nor launching within the U.S. And so that you’d usually go on to a decentralized app and it will say “Oh, you’re in the States, you can’t use this.” In order that’s a really seen space the place we will begin seeing adjustments. One other space the place you’ll be able to’t take part in case you’re from the U.S. is airdrops. So if you’re an finish person, you could not actually entry numerous crypto. And in case you needed to focus on this demographic, which in fact is the wealthiest on the earth, you could not. So I believe DeFi is basically going to blow up, particularly within the States.
Each of you’re additionally audio system at Consensus Hong Kong. What is going to you be speaking about?
Dominic: Our keynote will likely be about why it is so arduous proper now for Web3 ecosystems to draw builders now. And we will be giving a few of our recommendations on how they will appeal to builders extra simply and at an even bigger scale. Proper now, Web3 corporations are competing over the identical builders, and the expansion of Web3 devs has just about stagnated. And clearly at EasyA, our complete mission is definitely to convey far more builders into the area. That begins with making it simple. However we’re additionally making a number of massive tech upgrades that can enable builders to construct way more simply on-chain. And we will be revealing these on stage.
