Consensus, the annual crypto and blockchain convention, attracted over 15,000 attendees, 220 sponsors and 410 audio system to its 2023 version in Austin, Texas, regardless of current regulatory struggles round cryptocurrency adoption in the USA.
The turnout at Consensus 2023 demonstrated that U.S.-based firms and worldwide organizations are nonetheless very a lot enthusiastic about implementing Web3 expertise into their enterprise fashions.
Caitlin Lengthy, founder and CEO of Custodia Financial institution — a Wyoming-based digital asset financial institution — instructed Cointelegraph that the convention attracted critical ecosystem contributors, saying, “We’ve seen throughout crypto winters earlier than the place Consensus will get overrun with excessive time choice folks and firms (for instance, a number of Lambo’s parked out entrance of the New York Hilton in 2018), and in bust years the low-time choice folks and firms simply hold constructing. This 12 months was the latter.”
ADIOS AUSTIN! This was my fave #Consensus conf since 2017—by my guess it had the best % in attendance of fellow “low-time choice peeps on principled missions” since that 12 months. Big due to everybody who confirmed your assist—it was like an ideal massive heat hug! Secure residence! pic.twitter.com/NOPmU03VAV
— Caitlin Lengthy ⚡️ (@CaitlinLong_) April 29, 2023
Companies talk about Web3 methods
A number of massive organizations have been current at Consensus 2023, with Mastercard, Google, Robinhood and Coinbase, amongst others, gathering to debate their Web3 methods.
James Tromans, head of Web3 at Google Cloud, instructed Cointelegraph about some blockchain-based initiatives the corporate has lately launched.
“On the finish of final 12 months, Google Cloud introduced Blockchain Node Engine, which permits customers and builders to run an Ethereum node with out having to handle or assist it themselves,” he mentioned.
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At Consensus, the agency introduced that it had expanded assist for the Blockchain Node Engine to Polygon proof-of-stake, along with Ethereum.
Tromans added that Google Cloud is aware of what Polygon has been doing within the zero-knowledge (ZK) area, noting that Polygon ZK Ethereum digital machines (zkEVM) and Polygon supernets will profit from the supply of Google Cloud’s infrastructure and developer instruments.
Furthermore, Tromans identified that Google Cloud’s startup program will assist onboard firms enthusiastic about constructing on Web3 utilizing current Google Cloud merchandise. “Polygon is a vital a part of this initiative, as they’ve supplied a $3 million contribution from their enterprise fund to get this off the bottom with us,” he mentioned.
International monetary companies big Mastercard introduced its “Mastercard Crypto Credential” resolution throughout Consensus. Raj Dhamodharan, head of crypto and blockchain at Mastercard, acknowledged throughout a fireplace dialogue at Consensus that he’s “excited in regards to the underlying potential of blockchain expertise” on account of its means to retailer and transfer worth seamlessly.
Nevertheless, Dhamodharan defined that “this potential isn’t absolutely realized in the present day,” so Mastercard has began engaged on a number of merchandise like Mastercard Crypto Credential.
“I imagine that after you have the precise constructing blocks vital for security and ease, you’ll be able to have extra companies constructing and counting on the essential utility of storing and shifting worth,” Dhamodharan mentioned on stage.
Conversations continued at aspect occasions
Whereas there have been 10 devoted phases for 285 panels throughout Consensus, many aspect occasions allowed vital conversations to proceed outdoors of the convention.
For instance, zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-proofs) have been broadly mentioned at Consensus, however in-depth conversations round ZK-proofs came about on the “ZK360” occasion hosted by Mina Protocol. Evan Shapiro, CEO of the Mina Basis and co-founder of the Mina Protocol, instructed Cointelegraph that the aim of ZK360 was for attendees to study in regards to the newest developments in ZK-proofs and the way these may be utilized in the true world. “Web3 wants each privateness and verified computation. ZK-proofs present each of these at a time when purposes are needing these options to be simpler, decentralized and scalable,” he mentioned.
Different layer-1 blockchain networks like Ripple and Algorand hosted aspect occasions, permitting Consensus attendees to raised perceive particular blockchain choices whereas networking with neighborhood members. These occasions additionally introduced a chance for non-Consensus attendees to find out about vital subjects inside the Web3 sector.
Missing a global presence
Whereas the turnout throughout Consensus 2023 was notable, some trade consultants highlighted that the convention lacked a global presence.
Yat Siu, chairman of Animoca Manufacturers — a enterprise capital firm centered on blockchain-based video games — instructed Cointelegraph that areas in Asia like Japan and Hong Kong are providing a progressive and welcoming regulatory setting for crypto adoption. He famous that most individuals he spoke with at Consensus appeared shocked and even skeptical at this. He mentioned:
“I believe {that a} bigger presence of abroad contributors would have helped permit Consensus contributors to raised perceive the scope of pleasure and alternative that exists outdoors of the USA. I might like to see a stronger worldwide presence at Consensus subsequent 12 months.”
Regardless of this, Siu mentioned that Consensus 2023 was a well-attended, high-energy convention total. “I used to be shocked on the stage of deal-making exercise that was going down, even when the narrative was that the U.S. was damaging on crypto,” he mentioned.
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Echoing Siu was Keith Grossman, president of enterprise at MoonPay. He instructed Cointelegraph that he was impressed to see so many executives from among the largest firms in attendance at Consensus. “Offers have been being mentioned, and I imagine we are going to look again at Consensus 2023 recognizing it represented a maturation within the trade because it pertains to how Web3 applied sciences may be deployed in a significant method for companies and their clients.”
