Markets Daily Crypto Roundup: Inside North America's Biggest Blockchain Hackathon
Released on April 1, 2025, by CoinDesk
Introduction
In the latest episode of Markets Daily Crypto Roundup, hosted by CoinDesk, the focus shifts to the burgeoning blockchain ecosystem in North America. The episode delves deep into the Easy A Consensus Hackathon, heralded as the continent's largest blockchain hackathon. Co-founders Phil and Dom Kwok share insights into the event's scale, significance, and the groundbreaking innovations emerging from this collaborative effort.
Overview of the Easy A Consensus Hackathon
Phil Kwok opens the discussion by highlighting the unprecedented scale of the upcoming hackathon in Toronto:
"We are expecting to see over a thousand developers actually come in person to the Easy A consensus hackathon in Toronto, which will make it the biggest North American blockchain hackathon in history." (01:24)
Dom Kwok complements this by elaborating on the diverse participation and the event's potential impact:
"We've announced several chains already, and we're looking forward to seeing all those projects come to life. Our past hackathons in Hong Kong and Austin have produced projects backed by top VCs like 16Z, Y Combinator, and Draper University." (01:24)
Notable Projects and Success Stories
When asked about standout projects from previous hackathons, Jen highlights several success stories that underscore the hackathon's role in fostering innovation:
"They just got into YC blindpay. Absolutely amazing team. They've been doing... hitting about a million dollars in transaction volume recently." (02:48)
She also mentions projects like rmd (formerly Ramp Me Daddy) and Antonio's team from the Hong Kong hackathon, emphasizing their unique contributions to the blockchain space.
Areas of Innovation: Stablecoins and Finance
Phil Kwok probes into the current trends and areas ripe for innovation within the blockchain domain:
"Stablecoins are ramping up to be one of the driving narratives for 2025." (04:30)
Jen expands on this, identifying stablecoin-based payment systems and tokenization of real-world assets as key areas with substantial market fit:
"Stablecoins are one of the areas in blockchain that truly have product market fit... Tokenization across the board, real-world assets, securities... decentralized finance, that will be some of the biggest projects coming out of the hackathons." (05:03)
Significance of Toronto as the Host
Toronto's pivotal role in the blockchain ecosystem is a focal point of the discussion. Dom Kwok underscores the city's talent pool and its contributions to major blockchain projects:
"The University of Waterloo, obviously where Vitalik went... blockchain clubs there have been inspired by those entrepreneurs and now they're building some amazing startups themselves." (06:58)
He emphasizes that Toronto, along with other Canadian tech hubs like Vancouver, is a breeding ground for innovative Web3 entrepreneurs, making it an ideal location for the largest hackathon in North America.
Application Process and Criteria
As the hackathon approaches, Dom Kwok provides crucial information for prospective participants. Applications remain open until April 4th, with a rolling admissions process favoring early applicants:
"Make sure you sign up asap. While spots last." (08:14)
When discussing what makes a strong applicant, Dom highlights the importance of demonstrated interest and experience in Web3:
"We're looking for founders who are going to launch their projects and then continue to take their projects to the next level." (08:42)
Jen adds that technical expertise is not a strict requirement, encouraging newcomers and veterans alike to participate:
"Whether you're a top developer, just starting out, or have no technical expertise whatsoever, everybody's welcome." (09:45)
Encouragement and Conclusion
Phil Kwok wraps up the discussion by expressing enthusiasm for the event and reiterating the application process:
"You can head over to the consensus website, coindesk.com, go to consensus and click Hackathon... or through your Easy app." (10:47)
The episode concludes with an invitation to developers worldwide to join this landmark event, promising a convergence of talent and innovation poised to shape the future of blockchain technology.
Key Takeaways
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Scale and Impact: The Easy A Consensus Hackathon in Toronto is set to be North America's largest blockchain hackathon, attracting over a thousand developers and numerous global participants.
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Innovation Focus: Stablecoins, tokenization of real-world assets, and decentralized finance are highlighted as primary areas for innovative projects.
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Toronto's Role: Toronto stands out as a significant hub for blockchain talent, contributing to major projects and fostering a vibrant Web3 community.
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Inclusive Participation: The hackathon welcomes developers of all skill levels, emphasizing collaboration and the incubation of sustainable startups beyond the event.
For developers eager to contribute to the next wave of blockchain advancements, the Easy A Consensus Hackathon presents an unparalleled opportunity to showcase their ideas and collaborate with top-tier talent in the industry.
Timestamps
- 01:24 - Introduction to the hackathon's scale and history
- 02:48 - Discussion of standout projects from previous hackathons
- 04:30 - Stablecoins as a key narrative for 2025
- 05:03 - Areas of innovation: stablecoins, tokenization, DeFi
- 06:58 - Significance of Toronto in the blockchain ecosystem
- 08:14 - Application deadline and process
- 08:42 - Criteria for selecting hackathon participants
- 09:45 - Inclusive approach to technical expertise
- 10:47 - Final application instructions and encouragement
This summary encapsulates the essential discussions and insights from the "Inside North America's Biggest Blockchain Hackathon" episode of Markets Daily Crypto Roundup. For those interested in blockchain innovation and opportunities to engage with leading developers, this hackathon represents a pivotal event in the 2025 crypto landscape.