Introduction to Asia Blockchain Summit (ABS)

Source: ABS2024 Asia Blockchain Summit | ACCUPASS

The 2024 Asia Blockchain Summit (ABS) is a global event that combines blockchain and Web3, held at the Nangang Exhibition Center in Taipei. Organized by BlockTempo, the ABS summit took place from August 6th to 8th, attracting over 13,254 participants and industry leaders from more than 30 countries. The event highlighted Citigroup’s ambition to enter the Real World Assets (RWA) market, and Gate Web3 co-sponsored official activities to promote blockchain innovation. Vitalik Buterin discussed blockchain’s application in online democratic voting, while Indian prodigy Abhigya Anand shared global economic forecasts, and SEC Commissioner Hester M. Peirce discussed Web3 regulation. In addition to talks and presentations, ABS and other groups held over 100 side events, private dinners, and parties, showcasing the summit’s global importance to the blockchain industry.

Participants also included leaders from the Solana and TON Foundations. Solana Foundation Chair Lily Liu and TON Foundation President Steve Yun shared insights on the future of blockchain technology. Additionally, innovative projects in blockchain gaming and Web3, such as Matr1x Fire and GEDA, were showcased at ABS.

Besides Web3, traditional Web2 companies like ASUS and Acer presented applications in the metaverse and blockchain. ASUS hosted a large metaverse showcase, while Acer founder Stan Shih discussed the future of blockchain and technology integration with generative artist Wu Zheyu.

Unlike previous summits and blockchain weeks, ABS 2024 focused on the United Nations’ principles, inviting leading Web2 and Web3 companies to participate. Through multiple sub-summits, themed stages, and exhibits, ABS created a comprehensive and meaningful summit. It served as a platform for technological innovation and a global hub for collaboration and knowledge exchange within the blockchain industry, guiding its future development.

Source: blocktempo.com

Introduction to the Organizer, BlockTempo

BlockTempo is the leading blockchain media outlet in the Chinese-speaking world. Since its founding in late 2017, it has been dedicated to providing real-time news, analysis, and exclusive insights into blockchain and cryptocurrency. Its mission is to address the information asymmetry in the market by covering technology, market trends, regulations, and more. Since 2018, BlockTempo has organized the Asia Blockchain Summit (ABS), bringing the latest global blockchain developments and international leaders to Taiwan, impacting over 30 countries and bridging the information and resource gap between Taiwan and the world.

BlockTempo Founder Joey Luo and the Story Behind the Startup

BlockTempo’s founders, Joey Luo and Yu-Ting(Mike) Lin, were both students at the National Chengchi University’s dance club. Their startup wasn’t driven by profit but by a belief in blockchain’s immense potential to change the world. Luo first encountered Bitcoin as a freshman and later became serious about investing in Bitcoin, Ethereum, altcoins, and ICOs in 2016. He realized that blockchain wasn’t just transforming finance but also entertainment, law, and various industries.

At the time, Taiwan lacked sufficient and reliable information about blockchain, with the cryptocurrency space filled with scams. This information gap presented a great opportunity in Luo’s eyes, leading to the creation of BlockTempo, which aimed to provide accurate and timely blockchain news and knowledge.

Through their entrepreneurial journey, they discovered that traditional education systems couldn’t meet the demand for blockchain knowledge. Therefore, they decided to build a community-driven platform where people could quickly access and share the latest information, fostering blockchain growth and development in Taiwan. Luo believes that while formal education might take years to incorporate blockchain, community-driven learning can provide immediate access to the latest developments, making it easier for everyone to keep pace with blockchain advancements.

Luo and his team established BlockTempo not just out of a love for blockchain technology but also to bridge the information gap between Taiwan and the international community. Through the power of media and community, they hope to bring more innovation and change to Taiwan’s blockchain ecosystem, allowing more people to recognize the technology’s potential.

Source: National Chengchi University Alumni Newsletter

ABS Speaker List

Source: bnext.com.tw

The 2024 Taipei Asia Blockchain Summit (ABS) brought together top global experts to explore new trends in AI and Web3. More than 300 international leaders from various fields participated, including Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, actor and entrepreneur Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal, Solana Foundation Chair Lily Liu, TON Foundation President Steve Yun, 9GAG and Memeland founder Ray Chan, Gate.io founder and CEO Lin Han, Taiwan’s Digital Minister Audrey Tang, Microsoft economist Glen Weyl, SEC Commissioner Hester M. Peirce, and Acer founder Stan Shih. They discussed the future of blockchain technology.

For the full speaker list, refer to: Asia Blockchain Summit Speakers | ABS2024

ABS Highlights

Highlight 1: Web2 Giants at ABS

At ABS 2024, Taiwan’s leading Web2 giants like ASUS set up a metaverse zone, showcasing their latest technologies and ecosystems for the metaverse, including the upcoming virtual world meTown and ASUS Token, allowing users to explore a world that integrates virtual and physical realities. FamilyMart, in partnership with BitoGroup, presented the cryptocurrency payment tool BitoPay at the ABS exhibition, offering participants the chance to experience cryptocurrency payments for food, drinks, snacks, and hot dogs, bridging the gap between virtual and real-world experiences.

Highlight 2: Telegram/TON Summit

With over 900 million users, Telegram has become a key platform for large-scale cryptocurrency adoption. In February this year, Telegram launched an ad revenue-sharing plan to boost the TON blockchain’s development and expand the developer community. At ABS, TON hosted a summit, gathering blockchain pioneers, including TON Foundation President Steve Yun, TONX co-founder Dr. Awesome Doge, and OKX Ventures partner Jeff Ren, to discuss the future of blockchain development and applications.

Highlight 3: Solana and Ordinals Stage

As Ordinals continues to rise within the Bitcoin ecosystem, ABS hosted a dedicated Ordinals stage post-Bitcoin halving, highlighting the growth and vibrancy of the Bitcoin ecosystem. Simultaneously, Solana hosted an all-day event showcasing its projects, such as the DeFi platform Jupiter, meme token BONK, and the trading platform Backpack. Solana Foundation Chair Lily Liu also delivered a keynote on decentralized finance (DeFi), sharing the future prospects of their settlement application PayFi, encouraging deep thought on how DeFi can transform traditional finance.

Highlight 4: The Largest Web3 Gaming Expo in History

ABS 2024 featured the largest-ever Web3 gaming expo, ABS Game Con. Co-hosted by GEDA Esports, which has worked with major gaming companies like Riot Games, EA Sports, Valve Software, and Ubisoft, the exhibition showcased large-scale Web3 games like Space Nation and MATR1X FIRE, with development budgets exceeding tens of millions of dollars. GEDA Esports led the Esports 2.0 revolution, making esports accessible to everyone, and showcased Bitcoin games, while Ordz Games allowed guests to experience retro handheld gaming devices.

Highlight 5: Plurality Summit and ABS Blockchain Week

ABS also hosted the Plurality Summit, featuring Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, Taiwan’s first Digital Minister Audrey Tang, Microsoft economist Glen Weyl, and Hollywood star Joseph Gordon-Levitt (from 500 Days of Summer), all on the same stage. SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce participated in discussions with Taiwanese experts, focusing on regulatory frameworks and the legal outlook for Web3.0 integration in government and businesses.

During ABS week, over 100 side events, social gatherings, and parties were also held, such as:

Web3 & Blockchain Events

• Taipei DeFi Summit
• Web3 Game Con
• Future of Solana by Zeus Network & Stacks
• Web3+AI Awkward Cocktail Party
• RWA Coffee Hour
• Harnessing The Power of Chainlink

Parties & Social Gatherings

• ABS2024 Ordinals Stage After Party
• LFG!! - Official Closing Party for ABS2024

Networking & Meetups

• AI in Web3 - VIP Dinner
• STEPN GO TAIPEI 2024 SUMMER MEETUP
• Next-Gen Blockchain Meetup

Cultural & Fun Activities

• Taipei Old Town - Free Taiwan Introduction Tour
• Web3 & Rave Crawl in Taipei

ABS Event List：ABS WEEK ⿻ || ABS024 Events List - Google Spreadsheet

ABS and New Opportunities for Foreign Professionals to Work in Taiwan

ABS 2024 is not only a major international event in the blockchain field, but it also offers an excellent opportunity for foreign professionals to work in Taiwan. The Taiwanese government has introduced the “Employment Gold Card” program, which addresses many of the challenges faced by foreign high-level talents in settling and working in Taiwan. The program offers various benefits, including healthcare, property rental, tax incentives, and unlimited entries and exits from Taiwan, making it an attractive option for international talent. Last year, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and Glen Weyl, the youngest economics professor at the University of Chicago, came to Taiwan through this channel and obtained digital gold cards, signaling Taiwan’s commitment to diversity, inclusiveness, and a strong desire for digital technology development.

According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs’ announcement in May 2023, “Foreign Special Professionals with Specialized Knowledge/Skills in the Digital Field” are eligible to apply if they meet any of the following conditions:

• Have over eight years of professional experience in industries or fields related to the digital economy.
• Have held or currently hold positions in digital economy-related industries or fields in other countries or Taiwan, with a recent monthly salary of at least NT$160,000.
• Graduated from a university ranked in the top 500 in the latest QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education World University Rankings, or U.S. News & World Report Rankings, holding a Ph.D. degree from such institutions.
• Possess the professional skills required for products or services in the digital economy-related industries or fields, in addition to holding a Ph.D. from a domestic or foreign university, and have won awards from competitions recognized by the Ministry of Digital Affairs or have over four years of relevant work experience.

For this event, ABS is collaborating with Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs to provide a “Digital Gold Card” application channel for eligible blockchain professionals. Through ABS, applicants can receive one-on-one assistance and have the opportunity to win Taiwan industry exchange travel rewards. Additionally, successful applicants can join professional communities to expand their social and professional networks.

Source: Official Website

Source: Official Website