Jeff Ren Leads Discussion on APAC Investment in Seoul, Sept 2024

On September 5, 2024, a panel discussion titled "APAC's Investment Potential & Key Drivers for Adoption" was moderated by Jeff Ren, a partner at OKX Ventures, during The Aptos Experience event in Seoul, South Korea. The panel featured prominent figures from the Web3 ecosystem, including Mo Shaik, James Zhang, and Vincent Park, who shared insights on the evolving landscape of Web3 in the Asia-Pacific region. They emphasized the critical role of robust infrastructure, with Aptos being a leading blockchain example, in fostering the growth of applications like the JamboPhone and OKX Wallet. The discussion also highlighted Jambo's innovative $99 Web3 phone, which aims to bridge the gap between Web2 and Web3 by making technology more accessible to users in Southeast Asia. This approach is seen as a significant step towards integrating traditional internet users into the decentralized ecosystem through user-friendly hardware and pre-installed applications. Moreover, the panelists discussed the importance of engaging younger developers and communities, particularly in Korea, to drive innovation and adoption of Web3 technologies. The potential for synergies between AI and Web3 was also explored, focusing on the need for secure data access and the regulatory challenges that may arise. The event underscored the investment strategies of firms like IRONGREY, which are targeting both infrastructure and application layers in the region. This aligns with the recent establishment of a $10 million fund by OKX Ventures and the Aptos Foundation to support the growth of the Aptos ecosystem and promote widespread Web3 adoption.