When you’re in Web3 long enough, conferences become part of the rhythm.
But some weeks leave a permanent mark — and TOKEN2049 Singapore was one of those.
As a Senior Manager at The Blockopedia, I’ve attended this event as a media partner for 4 consecutive years. I thought I knew what to expect.
Turns out, I didn’t.
The Scale Hit Different This Year
More than 20,000 attendees.
From protocol builders and VCs to creators and exchange heads—everyone was here.
Singapore was buzzing. Literally.
With F1 happening the same week, the roads were a mess. Half the city was closed off. But even with the chaos outside, inside the venue, there was laser focus.
You could feel it: Web3 isn’t in its hype phase anymore. It’s maturing.
Day-by-Day: What the Schedule Didn’t Show
Day 1: Structured Chaos
From the moment I landed, it was a logistical mess. Delayed Ubers, blocked roads—but once inside, I forgot all of it.
The venue felt like a startup city. Booths buzzing. Media corners packed.
People weren’t pitching for attention. They were discussing ideas that mattered.
I bumped into Kaden Tan from Coinstore BD early on. We spoke about real exchange challenges and market expansion in regions that often get overlooked. A refreshingly honest chat.
Day 2: Coffee, Conversations, and the Collision of Worlds
If Day 1 was high energy, Day 2 was high impact.
After running around interviewing founders and publishing live coverage, I hit my physical limit. But then came the conversations that made it all worth it:
→ Joe from MTT Sports broke down how blockchain can deepen sports fan engagement.
→ Marie Antonette Monteclaro from seed.photo shared a perspective on creative ownership that left me thinking for days.
→ And in the middle of a crowded hallway, I had a casual chat with Nadine Wilke from Particula about identity in gaming that ended up becoming one of my favorite moments of the entire event.
Day 3: When You’re Running on Empty but Still Listening Closely
By Day 3, I was down to my last bit of energy. But something strange happened.
I wasn’t just tired — I was deeply present.
Every person I spoke to had something real to say. No fluff.
→ Brittany from Aptos Labs dropped serious insight on how Layer 1s need to approach growth from a people-first lens.
→ Mrinalini from Panoray Ventures talked about investing during a bear market and how narrative plays into funding rounds.
→ Arin Soleymani from Onchain Foundation simplified complex DAO governance in a way that made it stick.
These weren’t surface-level convos. They were mini-masterclasses.
The Real Takeaway: Web3 Is Growing Up
This year, the narrative shifted.
Instead of the usual talk about metaverse land and quick token wins, people were focused on:
- Utility over hype
- Retention over reach
- Sustainable community building over viral marketing
Everyone seemed to be asking: “What are we really building here?”
And that shift was palpable. As someone focused on PR and narrative strategy, I could feel the ecosystem maturing right in front of me.
Inside The Blockopedia’s Role at TOKEN2049
As long-time media partners, we’ve always been observers.
But this year, we were participants.
→ We captured stories that most others missed.
→ We sat with founders, not for interviews, but for real conversations.
→ We published pieces that reflected what people were actually feeling, not just what they were saying on stage.
And honestly, it reminded me why I chose to work in this space.
Not for virality. Not for headlines.
But for those raw, human moments where people drop the pitch and speak from the heart.
What Most People Don’t Talk About
Every conference has its glossy side. But here’s what you don’t usually hear:
- Some of the best connections happen outside the agenda—over a rushed lunch or while waiting in line.
- Everyone’s talking about “collaborating,” but very few follow up post-event.
- The real builders? They’re not the ones handing out flashy merch. They’re the ones listening, learning, and quietly building things that will last.
TOKEN2049 wasn’t just about crypto. It was about conviction.
And that’s why it felt different this year.
What’s Next?
I left Singapore with:
- A fresh perspective on how storytelling in Web3 is evolving
- Conversations I’ll carry with me into future strategies
- And a deeper belief that content should reflect real people, not just brand voices
At The Blockopedia, we’re now focused on telling those stories—the ones behind the decks and beyond the buzzwords.
Because the future of Web3 will be built not just on code, but on narratives that connect.
Final Thoughts
TOKEN2049 didn’t change the game.
It reminded us why we’re still playing.
It showed us that:
- Web3 still has its doubters, but the builders are here.
- The ecosystem has grown quieter—but also more focused.
- And real impact comes from real conversations.
To everyone I met—thank you for making it unforgettable.
To those I missed—let’s fix that at the next one.
Until then, back to building stories that matter.
