TOKEN 2049

Explore a collection of videos encapsulating the essence of TOKEN2049 Singapore 2023, a flagship event of Asia Crypto Week. This collection offers a deep dive into the major themes and insights unveiled during this monumental gathering, which saw over 10,000 attendees from the global crypto community converge¹.

From foreseeing the next crypto bull run to the synthesis of AI and blockchain, the video anthology brings forth the dialogues and discourses that unfolded across various panels and presentations. Discover the optimistic outlook shared by industry veterans, as they decipher market trends and envision a bullish market in 2024. Delve into the discussions around the symbiotic relationship between AI and blockchain, and how this convergence could propel both technologies to new heights¹.

Witness Asia’s emerging prominence in the crypto space, underscored by a plethora of innovations and a forward-thinking regulatory landscape. The video series also highlights the growing participation of traditional financial institutions, a significant shift observed in TOKEN2049’s narrative, as they embrace the new era of digital assets¹.

Furthermore, the collection encompasses various keynotes, panel discussions, and presentations shedding light on the future of the Web3 industry, as well as networking events, workshops, and more, embodying the vibrant crypto hub that Singapore transformed into during this event²³.

Whether it’s the engaging panels with crypto pioneers, collaborative discussions, or the unveiling of groundbreaking crypto projects, this video collection is a treasure trove for anyone keen on delving into the profound impacts and the forward trajectory of the blockchain and crypto realm, as envisaged by the crème de la crème of the industry during TOKEN2049 Singapore 2023.

Originally aired on September 18, 2023

01 – TOKEN2049 Opening Ceremony

Originally aired on September 18, 2023

The panel discussion on “The Future of Crypto: Regulatory Uncertainty and the Path Forward” at TOKEN2049 Singapore 2023 focused on the current state of cryptocurrency regulations, the path forward for the industry, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The panelists discussed their views on the regulatory landscape in the US, the progress made in other jurisdictions, the need for transparency and investor protection, the impact of regulations on profitability, and the future of the industry. While there is optimism about the direction of the industry and the potential for regulatory clarity in the future, there is also a recognition of the challenges and the need for collaboration between regulators and industry players.

Breakthrough in US regulatory landscape:

Brad Garlinghouse of Ripple believes that there has already been a breakthrough in the US regulatory landscape, especially with recent court rulings regarding the SEC’s case against Ripple and Grayscale.
He sees the need for Congress to take action to provide further clarity and regulation for the industry.

Impact of regulations on the market dynamics:

Hong Fang of OKX highlighted the impact of regulations on market dynamics, particularly in jurisdictions like Hong Kong, where strict regulations limit the number of tokens that can be traded.
The panelists discussed the need for clarity and unanimous guidance at the federal level in the US to drive market growth and attract institutional investors.

Building trust and accountability in the industry:

Panelists emphasized the importance of building trust and accountability in the industry through transparency, customer protection, and responsible engagement with regulators.
They discussed the role of technology in enhancing transparency, such as the use of proof of reserves to ensure the backing of assets and the importance of secure custody solutions.

The role of regulation in fostering innovation:

The panelists acknowledged the need for regulation to protect investors and foster innovation. However, they also highlighted the challenge of striking the right balance to avoid stifling the growth and development of the industry.
They emphasized the importance of new rules that address the unique characteristics of blockchain technology and digital assets, rather than applying existing rules designed for traditional finance.

Outlook on the Bitcoin spot ETF and other developments:

The panelists shared their perspectives on the Bitcoin spot ETF and its potential approval in the US. While they acknowledged the increasing likelihood of its approval, they also highlighted the current regulatory stance and the need for more progress in regulatory clarity.
They discussed the potential impact of a Bitcoin spot ETF on the market, including increased liquidity and institutional investor participation.

Looking ahead:

The panelists expressed optimism about the future of the industry and the potential for progress in regulations.
They highlighted the importance of continuous engagement with regulators, focusing on technology-driven solutions, and the need for industry-wide agreement on fundamental regulatory frameworks.
They also discussed the potential for major developments in the stablecoin business, layer-2 scaling solutions, and the balance between transparency and privacy in the industry.

Speakers

Brad Garlinghouse

Hong Fang

Mike Belshe

Annabelle Droulers

TV Reporter

Bloomberg

02 – The Future of Crypto: Regulatory Uncertainty and the Path Forward

Originally aired on September 18, 2023

Speaker

Balaji Srinivasan

Founder, Investor, and Author

thenetworkstate.com

Keynote

Balaji Srinivasan, the Founder, Investor, and Author of The Network State, discusses the possibility of starting new countries as a continuation of the entrepreneurial spirit seen in the creation of companies, communities, and currencies. He introduces the concept of a network state, which is a decentralized country similar to how Bitcoin operates as a decentralized currency. Srinivasan explains that a network state is a distributed country with a population, income, and real estate footprint spread around the world but unified conceptually. He argues that it is possible to start new countries by building traction and eventually attaining diplomatic recognition. Srinivasan highlights the value of network states for individuals seeking alternative options to failed states and the potential profitability of such ventures.

The concept of a network state

A network state is a decentralized country that is distributed around the world but unified conceptually.
It has the population, income, and real estate footprint of a traditional nation-state but is not bound to a specific physical location.

Building a network state

Starting with a small group of people, a network state can gradually grow by recruiting more individuals and coordinating activities.
Crowdfunding, purchasing properties together, and building a cohesive crypto tribe are some examples of how network states can be formed.

The size of network states

A network state with a population of 1.7 million people would fall within the range of small countries.
Most countries have populations of less than 10 million people, with many having less than one million.

Attaining diplomatic recognition

With sufficient traction and persistence, network states can obtain diplomatic recognition from other countries.
By inking deals and forming partnerships, network states can establish their legitimacy and gain recognition over time.

The need for network states

Network states provide alternative options for individuals facing problems such as inflation, riots, and food shortages in their current countries.
They cater to both the powerless, who seek a way out of failed states, and the power users who want to push boundaries and create pro-technology states.

The profitability of network states

Network states have the potential to monetize on a per-person level, offering services such as Discord subscriptions and rent.
By materializing decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), network states can create value for users and foster a sense of community.

03 – From 1,000 Startup Communities to 1 Network State

Originally aired on September 18, 2023

Speakers

Arthur Hayes

Co-Founder

BitMEX

Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX, delivered a keynote presentation titled “Money Printing, AI, and Crypto: Fueling an Epic Bull Market Mania” at TOKEN2049 Singapore 2023. In his presentation, Hayes discussed the macro-level factors driving the bull market in cryptocurrencies. He emphasized the role of debt and money printing in fueling economic growth, highlighting the global trend of decreasing population growth and increasing debt levels. Hayes also talked about the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on the tech industry and society. He argued that AI is driving a significant shift in technology and investment focus, resulting in a surge in AI-related stocks such as NVIDIA. Hayes concludes by discussing the potential for decentralized storage solutions, such as Filecoin, to capitalize on the growing demand for AI data storage.

The Relationship between Fiat Liquidity, Debt, and Population Growth

Hayes highlights the deficit of human population growth and its impact on economic growth and debt repayment.
Central banks and governments address this issue by printing money, leading to a significant increase in global debt.
The need for debt issuance creates an opportunity for fiat liquidity to drive the next bull market.

The Dominance of AI in the Tech Industry

AI is the current dominant theme in the tech industry, with the potential to revolutionize various sectors of the economy.
The rise of AI-driven companies, such as OpenAI, has fueled investor interest and led to significant stock market gains for companies like NVIDIA.
The pervasiveness of computers and rapid technological advancements make AI a compelling investment focus.

The Intersection of AI and Crypto

Hayes argues that AI is its own economic unit, having the potential to disrupt and decentralize traditional systems.
He suggests that AI’s disregard for human laws and regulations makes it difficult for governments to unilaterally control or punish AI entities.
This decentralizing effect of AI aligns with the fundamental principles of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
The Bull Market Potential of Crypto
Hayes predicts that the convergence of fiat liquidity and AI will contribute to the largest bull market in crypto and risk assets since the end of World War II.
He believes that the current market conditions, with decreasing prices and motivated sellers, offer a favorable environment for future price increases.
Filecoin, a decentralized storage solution, is presented as a potential investment opportunity due to its alignment with the AI data storage needs.
The Importance of Compute Power and Data Storage for AI
Hayes emphasizes the crucial role of compute power and data storage in supporting AI applications and development.
Venture capital firms are expected to invest heavily in AI-focused funds, leading to increased demand for graphics processing units (GPUs) and cloud storage infrastructure.
The potential for decentralized storage solutions arises from the need for AI entities to have secure, decentralized access to data storage.

The Investment Potential of Filecoin

Hayes presents Filecoin as an investment opportunity within the decentralized storage market.
Filecoin has a substantial room for growth, with its price currently trading at a significant discount from its all-time high.
The demand for decentralized storage, especially from AI applications, creates a market opportunity for Filecoin to thrive.

07 – Money Printing, AI, and Crypto: Fueling an Epic Bull Market Mania

Originally aired on September 18, 2023

The panel discussion titled “Beyond Satoshi: Defining the Meta on Bitcoin” at TOKEN2049 Singapore 2023 explored the current state and future of Bitcoin. The panelists discussed the lack of innovation and adoption of Bitcoin in recent years, the need for dynamism in Bitcoin’s evolution, and the importance of maintaining the resilience of the blockchain while incorporating useful features from other chains. They highlighted the role of layer twos and side chains in scaling Bitcoin and the need for more experimentation and innovation in the ecosystem. The panel also discussed the declining block subsidy and the challenge of increasing fees to sustain Bitcoin’s security. The importance of nation-state adoption of Bitcoin was emphasized as a significant milestone, and the future milestone of introducing ZK rollups on the Bitcoin blockchain was suggested.

Bitcoin dynamism: Panelists discussed the need for dynamism and innovation in Bitcoin’s evolution, emphasizing its conservative approach to maintain the resilience of the blockchain while incorporating useful features from other chains like layer twos and side chains.

Challenges of ossification: There was a discussion on the resistance to change in Bitcoin and the emergence of a new Bitcoin culture focused on building and innovation. The panelists highlighted the importance of embracing change and considering empirical reality to ensure Bitcoin’s success.

Solutions to declining block subsidy: The panelists discussed the challenge posed by the declining block subsidy and the need to find solutions to ensure the security of the blockchain. Ideas included recycling coins that haven’t moved in 10 years into the block subsidy and creating synthetic stablecoins based on Bitcoin.

Bitcoin adoption and culture: The panelists emphasized the need for Bitcoin to regain its status as a source of innovation and experimentation. They highlighted the importance of new qualitative uptake for Bitcoin through projects like Ordinals and Stacks, which are bringing a new culture of builders to the Bitcoin ecosystem.

ZK rollups on Bitcoin: The panelists discussed the potential implementation of ZK rollups on the Bitcoin blockchain and the need to frame the conversation around the original vision of Bitcoin, which embraced the use of zero knowledge proofs to scale the chain and verify computation on side chains.

Next milestone for Bitcoin: The panelists identified the introduction of ZK rollups as a critical milestone for Bitcoin, as it would prove that Bitcoin can continue to upgrade itself and unlock a significant design space. They also highlighted the importance of bringing more speculative games to Bitcoin, such as NFTs and options futures, to drive adoption.

Speakers

Eric Wall

Blockchain Researcher

Nic Carter

General Partner

Castle Island Ventures

Muneeb Ali

Dan Held

Alok Vasudev

08 – Beyond Satoshi: Defining the Meta on Bitcoin

Originally aired on September 18, 2023

The panel discussion at TOKEN2049 in Singapore focused on the convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Web3 technologies. The panelists, including representatives from Fabric Ventures, Outlier Ventures, CoinFund, NEAR Protocol, and Tools for Humanity/Worldcoin, discussed the importance of this intersection and the potential implications it has for society. They explored topics such as trust in AI, decentralized governance, proof of personhood, aligning human and machine objectives, and the role of open source development in advancing AI. The panel highlighted the need for a new societal framework that leverages the benefits of AI and Web3 while addressing issues like misinformation, reputational trust, and economic distribution.

Trust in AI and Web3

The panel emphasized the importance of trust in the intersection of AI and Web3 technologies.
They discussed the need for a trust layer, both for individual identities and the identity of data and creations.
The panelists highlighted the potential of blockchain technology to enable trust and reputation systems in the context of decentralized social media and content creation.

Decentralized Governance and AI

The panel explored the concept of decentralized governance and its application in AI systems.
They discussed the challenges of traditional centralized decision-making in AI organizations and the need to democratize access and decision-making.
The panelists highlighted the role of blockchain technology in enabling democratic governance over powerful AI models.

Proof of Personhood

The panelists emphasized the importance of establishing proof of personhood as a fundamental primitive in the online space.
They discussed the potential use of blockchain technology to create reputation systems that are globally accessible and decoupled from governments.
The panel highlighted the need to verify the authenticity of online content and ensure it aligns with reputations and intentions.

Economic Coordination and AI

The panel explored the potential for AI agents to play a role in economic coordination on behalf of individuals.
They discussed the idea of using AI to optimize financial strategies and macro-level planning.
The panelists highlighted the need for coordination among AI agents and the challenges of ensuring correct data and outcomes.

Aligning Human and Machine Objectives

The panel discussed the challenge of aligning human and machine objectives in AI systems.
They emphasized the importance of open-source development and involving a wider range of stakeholders to ensure a more comprehensive solution.
The panelists highlighted the need for a new societal framework that restructures the way humans and AI agents interact and collaborate.

Liability, Insurance, and AI

The panel explored the concept of liability and insurance in the context of AI systems.
They discussed the need for AI agents to take responsibility for their actions and outcomes and for establishing liability frameworks.
The panelists emphasized the potential for AI agents to autonomously negotiate insurance based on their performance and outcomes.

Speakers

Jake Brukhman

Jamie Burke

Alex Blania

Tools for Humanity / Worldcoin

06 – The Convergence of AI and Web3

Originally aired on September 18, 2023

The Token2049 panel discussion on Web3 Gaming and the Path Towards an Open Metaverse featured speakers who discussed their motivations for integrating web3 technology into gaming and the potential impact it could have on the industry. The speakers highlighted the importance of digital property rights, true ownership of in-game assets, and the ability to prove the authenticity of items in an increasingly fake online world. They expressed optimism about the growing excitement in the Asian region, particularly in countries like Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong, where there is a strong entrepreneurial culture and forward-thinking approach to adopting web3 technologies. The panelists also emphasized the need for financial literacy and the belief that web3 gaming can help bring financial education to the next generation. Overall, the panelists were excited about the future of web3 gaming and predicted that the next 12-24 months will see the launch of higher quality games and an increase in the number of existing web2 companies entering the space.

Why integrate web3 technology into gaming?

The core thesis of digital property rights and true ownership remains unchanged.

The evolution of web3 gaming has changed in terms of utility but not in underlying principles.

Historical abuses by gaming companies have led to a desire for true ownership and financial engagement by players.

Excitement in the Asian region

Asian countries like Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong have a strong entrepreneurial culture and forward-thinking approach to web3 adoption.
Financial literacy and perspectives on capitalism in these regions contribute to the excitement for web3 gaming.
East Asian regulators, such as Hong Kong and Singapore, are embracing web3 and providing a friendly framework for its development.

Challenges and opportunities of web3 gaming in different markets

Adverse regulatory environments in some countries, like Korea, have not deterred excitement for web3 gaming.
Western game development companies are hedging their bets by exploring web3 while Asian game studios see an opportunity to lead the way.
Once a successful web3 game emerges, Western game developers will be forced to catch up.

Implications of higher quality games and the influx of web2 companies

The underlying infrastructure needs to manage the sudden shock of higher quality games and the integration of web2 companies.
The easy onboarding process and interoperability of assets in web3 games will attract a wider range of players.
The ability to own in-game assets and the potential for financial gain will drive innovation and the creation of ancillary businesses.

Innovations in gameplay and unified progression systems

The focus on mid-core games and quick iterations will lead to experimentation and the discovery of new business models.
Unified progression systems, like the axi experience points in Axie Infinity, will deepen the emotional connection players have with their in-game assets.
Interoperability and collaboration between game developers will result in unique gaming experiences and asset utilization.

Positive outlook and future developments

Building IP in a bear market allows for experimentation and the creation of a loyal player base.
The release of high-quality games and the growth of the web3 ecosystem will attract more mainstream players.
Financial literacy and the benefits of true ownership in web3 gaming will drive adoption and change player behavior.

Speakers

Yat Siu

Co-Founder and Executive Chairman

Animoca Brands

Daniel Alegre

CEO

Yuga Labs

Aleksander Leonard Larsen

Co-Founder and COO

Axie Infinity

Robbie Ferguson

Co-Founder and President

Joseph Lloyd

12 – Web3 Gaming and the Path Towards an Open Metaverse

Originally aired on September 18, 2023

In this Fireside Chat at the TOKEN2049 conference in Singapore, Haider Rafique, CMO of OKX, sits down with Daniel Ricciardo, Formula One driver, and Scotty James, professional snowboarder and four-time Olympian, to discuss their involvement in the web 3 space and the future of fan engagement. The conversation touches on topics such as the importance of perseverance through highs and lows, the accessibility of athletes through social media, the impact of web 3 on fan connections, and the potential for AI-driven drivers in simulation racing.

Perseverance and Learning from Highs and Lows:

Daniel shares his experience of facing uncertainty in his career and emphasizes the importance of holding on to perspective and understanding the reasons for pursuing one’s passion.
Scotty highlights the long-term mindset required in both sports and investments, comparing the need for a North Star goal in sports with the patience and foresight necessary in the crypto market.

Web 3 and Fan Connections:

The accessibility of athletes through social media has allowed fans to get to know them on a more personal level, beyond just their performance in their respective sports.
Web 3 technologies, such as NFTs, have the potential to further enhance fan engagement by providing fans with unique digital collectibles and experiences.

Web 3 and Authenticity:

Scotty discusses his interest in NFTs as a way to authentically represent himself in the art world, drawing parallels between his profession as a snowboarder and the creative expression involved in the creation of NFTs.
The ability to create and trade NFTs allows athletes to bridge the gap between their sports careers and the art world, offering fans a closer connection to their favorite athletes.

AI in Sim Racing:

Sim racing has become an integral part of motorsports training, allowing drivers to virtually experience and learn new tracks before they race on them in real life.
While AI assistance in sim racing could help with performance, some of the excitement comes from the challenges and unpredictability of human competition.