What do crypto devs want? Hint: it’s not free alcohol

Author

Crypto Nomads
September 01, 2024

We surveyed 50 blockchain engineers to identify what matters to them most when it comes to side events.

Welcome to Crypto Nomads’ Newsletter. In this issue:

  • Crypto Ecosystem in China

  • Side Events Survey

  • Builder Highlights

Can you build in web3 without Crypto Twitter?

You might have not heard of ETHShenzen, because even in crypto, local Chinese apps like WeChat are preferred over VPN-required Twitter.

The Chinese builder landscape is vast, with developer communities like Rebase, ETHPanda, or 4SEAS, a Network State project that helps connect mainland Chinese community with the global crypto ecosystem.

On the Solana side, Solar is pretty popular.

We heard through the grapevine that unless you’re crypto rich and famous, a VPN will get you far 😉 

Side Events Survey

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If it’s another Cross-chain DeFi talk I usually zone out

Most organizers host events to attract users developers. So we ran a survey amongst developers at 2 IRL hackathons, asking 3 questions:

For the third question, two answers stood out:

“Side-events tend to be the places where I go to meet partners or potential new partners, so who's attending is important, it is very rare for me to go to an event where I don't know anyone. As for the formats I'm a builder so building things always wins.”

“Panel talks are often generic about things I already know. E.g. If the topic is lending, provide specific info that is not easy to find online like, how exactly is Aave earning their fees? How much is going to the Foundation and how much is going to the team? If it’s another Cross-chain DeFi talk I usually zone out.”

As for the results,

Event topic was the most important decision factor, closely followed by who the organizer is. Merch and location are at the bottom of the list.

The vast majority prefers hackathons, as it’s a more “relaxed social environment”. Conferences were the least popular option. Surprisingly, parties are the second most popular option.

The lesson for event organizers? Make it easy for people to find out who else will be attending your event and add more credibility whenever you can.

And if you need help, we have a concierge for companies.

Builder Highlights

Wins from our CNC community

  • Story Protocol raised 140M, or as our member put it “Crypto is live and well”

  • HolyHeld now supports EURC on base.

  • Checkin, a Farcaster Foursquare, won first place in Onchain Bear Cage show as part of Onchain Summer with Base.

Who are we?

  • We’re building cryptonomads.org - The place to discover crypto events, companies & professionals

  • We also run a private club - a community of web3 founders and builders who meet at events worldwide.

Cheers!