Hackathons, Crypto, and Bounty Hunters: The Chaos of EasyA’s Web3 Vision

by

Alright, so here’s the deal: Hackathons. You know the drill. People rush in, grab the prize money, and skip out before you can even say “blockchain.” Dominic Kwok, the co-founder of EasyA, calls them “bounty hunters.” It’s like a digital Wild West out there. And yet, EasyA, the company he started with his brother Phil, is all about attracting a different breed. They want developers who aren’t just here for the quick cash grab, but the long haul. You know, those rare people who actually want to build something meaningful in Web3. Is that too much to ask? Apparently not. They’re sitting pretty with over $3 billion in collective valuations from VC firms like a16z crypto and CMT Digital. And don’t get me started on their app – over a million users. Yeah, it’s that popular.

At EasyA’s Consensus hackathon in Austin last May, over 700 people came together to launch 100 different crypto projects. The Kwoks are expecting even bigger numbers for their upcoming events in Hong Kong and Toronto. So if you’re interested in applying to hack at Consensus Hong Kong 2025, good luck with that. You’ll need it.

But enough about the numbers. Let’s get into the juicy stuff. Dominic and Phil sat down to talk about their unique approach to hackathons, how Hong Kong will be different, and even how Donald Trump’s presidency might just shape the future of crypto. I’m not kidding.

This series is brought to you by Consensus Hong Kong. Come and experience the most influential event in Web3 and Digital Assets, Feb.18-20. Register today and save 15% with the code CoinDesk15.

This interview has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.

How did EasyA get started?

Dominic: So, we launched EasyA about four years ago. The goal was simple: make it the go-to place for anyone who wants to learn about blockchains. Top Layer Ones like Solana, Polkadot, Stellar – the works. You download the app, and boom, you’re suddenly an expert. We also run a bunch of hackathons all around the world, where hundreds of developers launch projects on blockchain tech. The goal? Help these folks go from “I built a project” to “I founded a company” that gets backed by VCs. Simple, right?

How do you approach hackathons differently than other companies that run these?

Dominic: Two big things. First, we focus on people who want to start their own companies, not the “bounty hunters” who show up for a quick payout and vanish. We want to see developers who stick around and build stuff with real potential. And second, most of our hackathons focus on a single blockchain. You’re not juggling 50 different chains – you pick one, go deep, and build something amazing. We want to give people the best ecosystem to work with, not a smorgasbord of options that lead nowhere.

How do you think the Consensus hackathon in Hong Kong will be different from those you hold in other parts of the world?

Dominic: Oh, this one’s going to be massive. We’ve already got a record number of applications for the arena seats. And we’re not just talking Hong Kong – we’ve got people coming from all over Asia: India, Vietnam, Malaysia, China – you name it. Plus, we’re seeing huge interest from the West. For many of these folks, it’ll be their first trip to Asia. I’m guessing they’ll get more than they bargained for. Maybe even some street food too. You never know.

Do you expect there to be differences in the types of projects that developers in Asia pursue, compared to other parts of the world?

Phil: Oh, absolutely. There’s geography, and then there’s themes. AI x Web3 is all the rage right now, and it’s blowing up in Asia. Developers are obsessed with it. And then there’s the whole cross-border payment thing. Let’s be real: in the U.S., we don’t always see the friction points that people in Asia do. For them, dealing with multiple currencies is second nature. I can barely handle a tip at a restaurant. So, yeah, expect a lot of cross-border payment solutions to pop up in Asia. If you can figure that out, you’re in for a wild ride.

How do you think Donald Trump’s presidency will affect the kinds of projects you see at your hackathons?

Phil: Look, DeFi (Decentralized Finance) has always been a hot topic in crypto, and under Trump’s presidency, it’s going to be even bigger. A lot of developers in the U.S. were too scared to build or launch anything, thanks to the regulatory uncertainty. It’s like they saw the “No U.S. allowed” sign and just turned around. But now, with Trump in charge, I think we’re going to see a lot more activity in DeFi. Why? Because people want to target the wealthiest market in the world – U.S. citizens. Those airdrops you couldn’t access before? Well, that’s about to change. Mark my words.

Both of you are also speakers at Consensus Hong Kong. What will you be talking about?

Dominic: We’ll be talking about the biggest headache in Web3 right now: how hard it is to attract developers. It’s a war out there. Everyone’s competing for the same talent. And the growth of Web3 developers has pretty much stalled. So, we’re going to share some of our tips on how to attract them, and how we’re making it easier for developers to get involved. Spoiler alert: we’ve got some big tech upgrades in the pipeline, and we’ll be unveiling them on stage. Stay tuned, folks. It’s going to be huge.

Read More

2025-01-24 19:57