Kickoff of the Blockchain Year

The Paris Blockchain Week (PBW) is back and bigger than ever, celebrating its fourth year. With over 10,000 eager attendees, this shiny event is ticking all the boxes: hackathons, investor demos, and enough buzzwords to fill a crypto textbook. The main summit, held on March 23, promised to delve deeper into the complex world of blockchain, crypto, and Web3.

Fireside Chats that Ignite Discussions

As the sun set over the City of Lights, big names took the stage to discuss their visions for the future of money. Circle’s CEO, Jeremy Allaire, kicked things off with a bold statement, dubbing the current state of digital asset regulation in the U.S. as “extraordinarily disappointing.” He pointed fingers at Congress for not living up to the challenge, a sentiment that had the audience nodding in agreement.

Panel Talks: The Heart of the Matter

Panels are the lifeblood of PBW, and this year was no exception. Engaging discussions explored dynamic topics ranging from the ethics of Web3 to the role of governance in decentralized finance. For instance, during a session titled “The Ethics of Web3,” experts grappled with the burning question: “How do we keep tech from messing us up in the long run?” A good question indeed, considering the pace at which technology races ahead of ethical frameworks.

Who’s Who at Web3?

Attendees heard from industry giants like Ledger’s Pascal Gauthier, who weighed in on the relevance of Bitcoin amidst the banking crisis, stressing the importance of self-custody. Not far behind, 1inch’s co-founder Sergej Kunz shed light on the role of ordinary investors in mass crypto adoption. His wise words suggested that once we understand non-custodial options, we can finally break through to the next level.

Building Trust in a Trustless Space

With the wreckage of past centralized finance failures still fresh in memory, discussions also ventured into what’s next for the decentralized world. Experts shared strategies to filter out bad actors and ensure that investors don’t back projects that are more flash than substance. Highlighting the importance of investor scrutiny was Dan Tapiero from 10T Holdings, who advocated for a sharper critical lens amid the excitement of emerging opportunities.

Looking Ahead: The Future is Decentralized

The energy at PBW was palpable, as speakers concluded with calls to action for embracing the decentralized future. From the potential of blockchain in humanitarian efforts to the gaming industry gaining traction in the metaverse, the undercurrent was clear: Web3 is not just a trend; it’s the future.
“Get comfortable with discomfort” was the mantra for businesses looking to grow in this space. After all, innovation waits for no one…