Consensus 2024 Conference Experience: Ethereum and ETF in the Shadows, AI and DePIN Shine
Fewer people, but higher quality.Author: jk, Odaily Planet Daily
From May 29 to 31, 2024, the renowned Web3 media Coindesk held the Consensus 2024 conference in Austin, Texas, with Odaily's North America correspondent attending.
As one of the largest and most influential events in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry, the Consensus conference brought together developers, investors, founders, brands, and policymakers from around the world. This conference not only provided a platform to showcase cutting-edge technology and discuss industry trends but also offered an excellent opportunity for professionals in the field to network and collaborate.
The First Conference Since the Bull Market
This Consensus conference can be considered the first industry conference since the current bull market began. Previously, due to the approval of Bitcoin ETFs and Bitcoin's surge from $50,000 to $70,000 during ETH Denver, the entire industry had reacted strongly to the arrival of the bull market in the preceding months.
Although the number of attendees was lower compared to previous years, the overall quality significantly improved; based on the interactions at the venue, participants appeared to be more professional, with discussions being very in-depth and exchanges more efficient. The number of newcomers or students looking to learn about the blockchain industry was significantly reduced compared to other conferences. It was evident that most attendees this year were deep participants in the industry, making Consensus still one of the top three unmissable blockchain events in the U.S. for companies looking to raise funds or find clients or investment targets.
The Venue Wasn't Empty, But Everyone Was at Side Events
The main venue adopted last year's classic design of a main thoroughfare with many small branches, but it seemed that the number of participants in the formal activities was not as high as last year; many people I encountered on-site openly stated that they hadn't spent much time in the main venue. More discussions and exchanges took place at various side events, with attendees preferring to participate in these smaller, more flexible activities. Over the four days of Consensus, there were approximately 200+ similar events hosted by various Web3 companies. These events were closer to practical applications and cutting-edge technologies, providing more opportunities for discussion and collaboration.
Additionally, the high ticket prices (with lower prices for students and developers) were also a reason many people did not appear in the main venue.
Consensus side event table, source: Consensus official
AI and decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) were the most关注的生态系统赛道 at this conference. Whether in technical discussions or project presentations, the focus was on these two areas; the most direct observation was that many activities concentrated on this ecosystem, while traditional sectors like DeFi and gaming did not receive as much attention as before. In contrast, although Ethereum and ETFs still had some discussions, they clearly did not attract much attention from attendees.
The number of Asian participants was very significant, with many attendees flying in specifically from their home countries to participate in this conference. Most of these individuals did not come from well-known large institutions but were primarily founders of startups or investors from funds, seeking financing opportunities, targets, or the latest trends in European and American capital. This also made the conference an international and highly diverse platform, promoting exchanges and cooperation between the East and West.
Overall, Consensus 2024 showcased the depth and breadth of the industry, providing direction for the future development of blockchain and cryptocurrency through international exchanges. This conference was not only an industry event but also a collision and fusion of top global ideas and technologies, heralding a more open, innovative, and decentralized future.
