From PFPs to Real Faces

September 26, 2024
Experiences

A Singapore Adventure in Crypto Networking

Introduction

Where do I even begin? Attending Token2049 and Breakpoint for the first time was an exciting new experience for me. In fact, this was my first time stepping out of Hong Kong for a major crypto event! I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I’d heard amazing things, especially about the Singapore events, and couldn’t wait to dive into the Solana community and feel the energy firsthand.



Networking

Instead of attending the main event in Token2049 (had a bit of FOMO, not gonna lie), we decided to focus on the side events and Breakpoint instead. I was blown away by the sheer number of activities happening outside of Token2049 and Breakpoint. Events were scattered across the city, from rooftop bars to hawker centers, cafés, restaurants—you name it! Everywhere you went, there was complimentary food, drinks, engaging keynotes, free swag, and people from all over the world.

What made the experience even more electric was the fact that the Formula 1 Grand Prix was happening in Singapore the same week. The entire city had an incredible buzz—between crypto and F1 fans, it felt like the entire world had descended on Singapore. The energy was undeniable, and there were wild after-parties featuring names like Steve Aoki and Diplo (though the lines were insane!).

At first, I was a bit nervous about approaching people and striking up conversations, but everything just flowed naturally. Everyone was there to connect, share knowledge, and have a great time. I met individuals from all over the globe, including people working for well-known chains and protocols like Jupiter, Solana, Sandbox, and Zeta Markets. Finally putting faces to familiar PFPs was awesome, and catching up with both new and old friends in the space was a real highlight.

Crypto Friends

One of the coolest things about the crypto space—and these events in particular—is the diversity of people you meet. Some are inspiring, some incredibly insightful, and others just really fun to be around. Without mentioning names, I connected with a fellow Singaporean degen right at the start, and we ended up hitting most of the events together, chasing down swag across the city and probably having one too many beers along the way. It was a blast.

At another event, I found myself having dinner with two guys I’d only met a couple of hours earlier at Marina Bay Sands. One of them was kind enough to drive us to the Breakpoint after-party, even though he didn’t have a ticket. He somehow managed to get in anyway—what a legend. This guy was super knowledgeable, and I learned a lot from him that night. When I thanked him for giving us a ride, he simply said, “This is what crypto friends do!” And honestly, that sums up the spirit of these events perfectly.



Breakpoint

Solana has always been the blockchain I’ve supported the most. A big part of that is because many of the projects and protocols we’ve been designing for are built on Solana. That made it easy for me to appreciate the advantages of the chain, as well as the unique energy and hype of its community. Solana’s ecosystem feels like no other, and I don’t need to explain that to anyone already familiar with it. So, naturally, I was thrilled to attend Breakpoint. Having missed previous editions in Lisbon and Amsterdam, I was excited that this year’s event was in Singapore—just a short trip from Hong Kong.

One of the best things about Breakpoint in Singapore was the setup. Everything was conveniently located in a single space, with the furthest you’d need to go being just a floor or two away. The venue was large—not as massive as Token2049—but still impressive while maintaining an intimate feel. The organization was flawless, from the layout to the catering, which felt like a hawker center with buffet-style stations. Drinks were readily available—coffee, snacks, beers, cocktails—everything was easily accessible, adding to the overall experience.

Meeting with the teams behind Backpack, Phantom, Circle, Solana Mobile, and some of the leading gaming projects was incredible. The talks that really stood out to me included the ones on Solana Mobile, Jupiter’s announcements, and the NFT discussion with Pudgy Penguins and Frank from DeGods debating whether NFTs are dead. Toly, as usual, was inspiring, and there were so many other impressive keynotes from teams building on Solana.

The whole event was a bit overwhelming, though—in the best way possible. There was always something happening. Between chatting with new people, racing to catch bookmarked keynotes, grabbing a quick bite, collecting swag, and snagging airdrops, it was non-stop. Now, I’m definitely feeling the aftermath—completely exhausted but definitely worth it.

I can’t forget to mention the after-party—kudos to Solana and Solflare for organizing such an incredible event! It took place in a massive warehouse that reminded me of the Warehouse Project back in the UK. Picture this: a spacious venue filled with food trucks, fun games, a DJ spinning great tracks, airdrops everywhere, and unlimited drinks flowing. To top it all off, there was a giant inflatable Bonk mascot outside. It was simply an unforgettable experience!

As for the Solana swag? Not bad at all, but I’ll save a detailed review of the swag for another blog.



Key Takeaways

The key takeaway from the entire week? Crypto is very much alive. In fact, I’m even more bullish on Solana than ever before. Seeing everything that’s being built on the network and feeling the electric energy at Breakpoint reaffirmed that belief. There also seems to be a lot of buzz around Sui and Berachain, so interesting times ahead.

For our business—design—it was a great reminder of how important in-person networking truly is. Creating content and sending cold DMs simply can’t compare to the benefits of face-to-face interactions. Meeting people from around the world, making friends, sharing laughs, and learning from each other is invaluable.

Having mostly attended events in Hong Kong, like the Hashkey events or ETH Hong Kong, I noticed a bit of a difference in energy compared to Singapore. The buzz wasn’t quite the same, likely because fewer people tend to fly in for Hong Kong events. This made networking feel a bit more low-key, with fewer opportunities for spontaneous connections. That said, I’m definitely going to attend more events in Hong Kong and focus on building those local relationships. Singapore has really opened my eyes to just how many incredible people are out there in the space, and I’m excited to keep exploring.

I once heard a quote that said networking should be more like farming than hunting, and that really resonates. Even if these connections don’t immediately lead to work or clients, I’ve gained friends and potential collaborators. We can bounce ideas off each other, share insights, and who knows—maybe something great will come from those relationships down the line.



Looking forward to the next one—see you all in Abu Dhabi 2025!

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