The annual Ethereum Community Conference, EthCC[7], recently took place in Brussels, bringing together industry leaders to discuss the future of Ethereum and Web3. Highlights from the event included discussions on the role of design in bridging the UX gap for Web2 users, the future of the Ethereum ecosystem in the face of increasing regulations, and the opportunities and risks for traditional financial institutions interacting with Ethereum. Speakers also addressed the importance of simplifying user onboarding and creating a more user-friendly experience in the crypto space.
Andrew O’Neill, Managing Director at S&P Global Ratings, emphasized the need for robust and risk-aware development in the new world of Ethereum. Chintan Turakhia, Senior Director of Engineer at Coinbase, discussed the mission of simplifying user onboarding and the crucial role of developers in creating consumer-friendly platforms. Jeremy Allaire, Co-Founder and CEO of Circle, shared his vision of creating a financial system built on open infrastructure, highlighting the market opportunity for stablecoin money and the potential for transforming the industry through internet infrastructure.
Mihai Grigore, Head of Research at Messari, discussed key infrastructure developments in Web3, including challenges faced by Decentralised Physical Infrastructure Networks. Illia Polosukhin, Co-Founder of Near Protocol, emphasized the need for a user-owned AI and Internet in Web3, highlighting the importance of decentralization and user control. Aliya Das Gupta, Senior Vice President at Sygnum Bank, introduced Sygnum’s Web3 recovery solution to address the risk of fund loss in self-custody.
Patrick Hansen, Senior Director at Circle, shared predictions for the crypto market in the EU for 2025/2026, including the growth of EUR stablecoins, the dominance of USDC, the emergence of trading platforms and financial institutions in crypto, and the regulatory clarity in the EU market. Anna Stone, Executive Director of Good Dollar, discussed the value of crypto in poverty alleviation and economic development through decentralized Universal Basic Income, highlighting the potential for democratizing economic access and opportunity globally.
Overall, the EthCC[7] conference provided valuable insights into the future of Ethereum and Web3, emphasizing the importance of user-friendly design, regulatory compliance, and the potential for crypto to drive economic development and financial inclusion. With industry leaders coming together to discuss key challenges and opportunities in the space, the event showcased the ongoing innovation and growth of the Ethereum ecosystem.
