When we think of Korea, what comes to mind? Maybe the tech-savvy streets of Seoul, the vibrant K-pop scene, or even those irresistible BBQ joints.
But this September, all eyes in the blockchain space were on Korea Blockchain Week (KBW), an annual Web3 festival that brought together innovators, enthusiasts, and industry leaders under one roof.
QuillAudits found itself in the thick of things, soaking up trends, meeting key players, and glimpsing the future of blockchain and AI.
So What Was the Buzz All About?
This year, KBW was all about making AI and blockchain the best duo since... well, BTS and ARMY!
The hype wasn’t just about AI for AI’s sake; it was about how AI can secure, streamline, and innovate within the blockchain space.
For us, the most interesting takeaway was how AI agents are increasingly being used to detect vulnerabilities in smart contracts; something we’re already well-versed in. But the sheer number of solutions integrating AI made it clear: this is where the future is headed, and we're already part of it.
Who Were We Mingling With?
Let’s get real: networking at KBW was half the fun. From global VCs to devs who’ve heard about our work, it seemed like we had a pretty decent rep, especially in Europe and MENA.
We found ourselves mingling with some of the most innovative blockchain projects and protocols, including Berachain, Puffpaw, Movement, Creditcoin, 071labs, and Delysium.
Many of the folks we chatted with had either worked with us or knew of QuillAudits.
It feels special when people know you for your work, right? :)
AI & DePIN Were The Dynamic Duo of KBW
If you thought DeFi was the hottest trend, think again. This year, DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks) stole the spotlight. Whether it was at keynote talks or casual conversations over Korean BBQ, everyone seemed obsessed with how DePIN could merge physical assets with blockchain tech.
And while DePIN was buzzing, AI kept its cool as the hottest trend. Whether we were chatting with founders or devs, the question was always the same: “How does your project fit into the AI narrative, anon?”
For us, the AI trend hit home. AI is not just the future; it’s happening now.
We're keeping a close eye on how AI can further improve blockchain security, and KBW made it clear that this space is only going to get more exciting.
Check Out Our Work
We've audited top DApps and DeFi protocols, ensuring they remain secure and Free from Hacks. Check out their audit reports to see our impact.
What About the Vibes? Chill or Thrill?
The atmosphere at KBW was laid back but electrifying.
A lot of attendees were just chilling before they headed to Singapore for Token2049. Most of them had been bouncing between WebX in Tokyo and KBW.
Still, the mix of blockchain talk and South Korean culture gave KBW its signature flair. And who can complain when the day ends with K-pop beats and blockchain banter?
What’s Keeping the Blockchain World Up at Night?
Of course, not everything is sunshine and rainbows in crypto land.
Fragmented solutions were a major topic of discussion. While some innovations solve one problem, they often end up creating another. Well, that's how it works.
The unpredictable market, along with political uncertainties—especially around the U.S. elections—kept everyone a little on edge.
And yet, amidst this uncertainty, there was a palpable excitement for the next big breakthrough.
Side Events That Stole the Show
We also took part in several W side events, including:
- Open House AI: Engaged in discussions on the intersection of AI and blockchain, featuring our Co-founder, Preetam Rao, who highlighted how the QuillAI Network can revolutionize the AI x Web3 Security industry. Met folks from RSS3, Whitewater Labs, Coinness, Akash, Aethir, Nillion, Hyperbolic, Exabits, NEAR, Ringfence AI, MASA, Vana, Movement, Monad, Nuffle Labs, Sahara AI, oogle, 0G, Talus, Ritual, Privasea AI, KIP Protocol, Gaia, MyShell, Nubila, Chainbase, Open Social, Phaver Soju DAO and Open Information Initiative. Convos revolved around User-Owned Data in AI, fully decentralized AI, Decentralized Compute & Verifiable Data.
- Discovering the Next Web3 & AI Revolution: It was an in-depth exploration of the future of both sectors. Met buddies from HashKey Tokenisation, CSDN wsdn, Ctalks, OORT, Web3link, Ark of Panda, and 13DESK.
- Web3 x AI Summit: Focused on uncovering synergies between these transformative technologies. Connected with folks AI Network & Blockmedia. This event was all about intersection of Web3 and AI.
- Builder Nights Seoul by MetaMask: An evening dedicated to networking and collaborative brainstorming.
- Institutional Happy Hour: We connected with industry leaders, KBW speakers, and C-suite executives from Presto, Galaxy, Spartan. The vibe was immaculate.
- VNTR Investors Roundtable Seoul: Gained insights from seasoned investors.
- Bitcoin Renaissance - Korea Edition: Dove into the latest trends in Bitcoin and beyond. Met & connected with Fisher Yu (Co-founder, Babylon), Matt Ye (Co-founder Lorenzo), Eowyn Chen, (CEO, Trust wallet), Mikhil Pandey (Co-founder, Pstake), Edmund Chua (Mantle), Sam Reynolds (CoinDesk), YQ (Co-founder, Altlayer), Luke Pearson (Partner at PolyChain & core contributor at Lombard), Haichao Zhu (ROOCH Network), Brian Mahoney (VP of Business Development at Thesis & Founding Contributor at Mezo), Zuki (Core Contributor, FBTC), **Arwen Zhong (**Co-founder, BSquared), Luke Xie (Co-founder, SatLayer), Ryan Fang (Co-founder Tomo Wallet & Ankr), Zhuling Chen (Co-founder, Bedrock), Bryan Tay (Particle Network), Jeff Yin (Merlin Chain), Diane Dai (Co-founder & CMO, DODO), Aaron Kong, Julian (Head of Product, Marathon), Jason Zhao (Co-founder, Story Protocol), Albert Liang (CEO & Co-founder, Bitcoin Startup Labs), Anurag Arjun (Co-founder, Avail),& Edan Yago (Co-founder, BitcoinOS). This had to be one of the best meetups for KBW.
What’s Next for QuillAudits After KBW?
As we headed back home from Seoul, we couldn’t stop thinking about what’s next.
The conversations we had at KBW weren’t just fleeting—there’s plenty of follow-up work to do. Here’s what’s on our to-do list:
- Tap into the SEA market: The connections we made in Korea showed us that Southeast Asia is a goldmine for blockchain security solutions.
- Nurture new leads: From VCs to blockchain developers, we’ve got plenty of potential partners to reconnect with. We expanded our audit support to new ecosystems, and collaborated with different domains.
- Ride the AI wave: We’re already ahead of the curve, but KBW reinforced the importance of doubling down on our AI integration efforts.
Secure Your Web3 Journey
So Was KBW 2024 Worth It?
Absolutely. Korea Blockchain Week didn’t just meet our expectations; it shattered them. From AI-dominated talks to promising leads in Southeast Asia, the event was a melting pot of ideas, insights, and opportunities.
As the Web3 space continues to evolve, our team at QuillAudits is more determined than ever to stay at the forefront, ensuring that the future of blockchain remains secure.
Seoul, thanks for the memories; and the inspiration. Until next time!
QuillAudits Team
The QuillAudits team, comprises of expert security researchers & auditors in Web3 security, has completed 1,000+ audits across Ethereum, Polygon, Solana, Arbitrum, BSC, and more, securing $30B+ with 0 exploits, advancing the blockchain ecosystem
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