TOKEN2049 Singapore 2024, held on 18–19 September, marked one of the world’s largest crypto gatherings, bringing together leading figures and DeFi innovators to discuss the future of blockchain regulation, real-world assets (RWAs), stablecoins and other key topics.
Our DWF Labs team engaged in a wide range of activities, from delivering keynote speeches and participating in panel discussions to hosting the networking-focused DWF Labs Haus. We also co-organised and sponsored several other events, all of which demonstrated our commitment to the crypto community in Asia.
Here is a look back at the key highlights of the week.
Andrei Grachev’s Keynote at TOKEN2049 Singapore 2024
On 18 September 2024, Andrei Grachev, Managing Partner at DWF Labs, delivered a keynote titled ‘The Great Reset of the Crypto Market’. He discussed how altcoins now move independently of Bitcoin (BTC) and how community-driven tokens often outperform crypto venture-backed projects. Grachev noted Asian exchanges’ resilience and the TON blockchain’s growth through memecoins and mini-apps, highlighting how memes will continue to influence crypto’s identity and community engagement.
Further insights from his speech can be found in the full recap of ‘The Great Reset: Andrei Grachev’s TOKEN2049 Keynote Speech’.
DWF Labs Haus Singapore 2024
Ahead of the main conference activities, we hosted our own event, DWF Labs Haus, on 17 September 2024, which was a highlight of TOKEN2049 Singapore week. It provided a dedicated networking and innovation hub, offering guests the opportunity to connect and exchange ideas in a relaxed setting. Attendees enjoyed refreshments and engaging discussions, reflecting the collaborative spirit of the event.
DWF Labs Booth and Swag Giveaway
Following the success of our DWF Labs Haus event, we maintained a visible presence at the Marina Bay Sands venue with our DWF Labs-branded booth.
We also engaged with the community through an exclusive swag giveaway, encouraging attendees to share photographs of our activities, the booth or our duck on social media for a chance to win limited-edition items.
DWF Labs KOL Lunch
Moreover, Andrei Grachev, Managing Partner at DWF Labs, met with key opinion leaders (KOLs) from various regions over lunch as part of our broader efforts to engage with leading voices in the ecosystem.
DWF Ventures at VC Pitch Day and TOKEN2049 Highlights
Our DWF Ventures team was also active during TOKEN2049, co-hosting the VC Pitch Day on 19 September alongside other prominent crypto venture capital firms, including Chorus One Ventures, Foresight Ventures, Signum Capital and Mirana Ventures. This event provided Web3 founders with the opportunity to pitch their projects to experienced investors and to share fresh ideas and bold visions.
Furthermore, the DWF Ventures team brought back key observations from TOKEN2049 Singapore, highlighting the growth of AI and crypto integrations, new use cases in consumer applications, competition led by emerging projects and Singapore’s role as a leading community hub in Southeast Asia.
Speaking Engagements
Throughout the conference and its affiliated events, our team members participated in several engaging discussions and panels, sharing perspectives on the evolving crypto and Web3 landscape.
Andrei Grachev’s Panel at TOKEN2049 Singapore
On 18 September 2024, Andrei Grachev, Managing Partner at DWF Labs, joined fellow experts on the panel ‘Memecoins: Fleeting Trend or Crypto Evolution?’ to explore whether memecoins are a passing fad or a new evolutionary step, highlighting their rapid growth and cultural significance whilst noting that only a few will achieve lasting success.
Andrei Grachev at the FarCon Asia Summit
Following the memecoin debate, Andrei Grachev continued to explore the intersection of internet culture and crypto at the inaugural FarCon Asia summit. He joined the panel titled 'Memes & NFT: What Dreams Will They Fulfil', where he emphasised that non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are far from 'dead'; it is merely their narrative that is evolving. Grachev also predicted a promising future for the convergence of memes and digital assets.
Alessia Baumgartner at Algorand Royale
Our VP of Ecosystems, Alessia Baumgartner, also participated in speaking events. On 18 September 2024, she joined the panel ‘How to Survive and Thrive as a Web3 Company’ at Algorand Royale, an event hosted by the Algorand Foundation. She was accompanied by founders from projects such as Folks Finance and Meld Gold, contributing to our perspective on sustainable growth.
Alessia Baumgartner at the TON Mini-Apps Boom Panel
The following day, Alessia Baumgartner participated in a dedicated TON (The Open Network) session entitled 'TON Mini-apps Boom – Hype or Real Web3 Adoption?'. This side event during TOKEN2049 week examined whether the surge in Telegram’s mini-app ecosystem is merely hype or a catalyst for genuine Web3 adoption. Baumgartner shared her perspective on TON’s rapid development.
Participation in Side Events
TOKEN2049 week in Singapore was filled with satellite events, and our DWF Labs team made its mark at several of these.
Orchestration Eve
At the start of the week, on 17 September 2024, we co-hosted Orchestration Eve, an exclusive networking meetup hosted by NodeOps alongside partners such as Polygon and iAgent Protocol. The event brought together minds from across the AI, Layer-2, gaming, re-staking and DePIN ecosystems for an evening of cross-sector discussion and collaboration.
LADYS Night TOKEN2049
We also joined as an event partner for LADYS Night, a themed community party celebrating the lighter side of crypto culture and echoing the week’s ‘meme energy’.
Decode: Legacy
Another highlight was Decode: Legacy, an immersive theatre experience hosted by HashKey Capital, Aethir, and Carv, where we participated as a sponsor. This production transformed a traditional networking night into a memorable interactive experience.
Conclusion
TOKEN2049 Singapore 2024 demonstrated the unique importance of in-person engagement within Web3. While remote and global connections remain vital, the strong community turnout and face-to-face discussions created a dynamic energy that is unique. For us, as well as for the broader crypto community, it was an opportunity to build stronger relationships and exchange insights on the future of the industry. Many of the week’s conversations, whether focused on Web3 infrastructure, emerging asset classes, or regulatory outlooks, took place not only on stage but also in informal settings and evening gatherings.
Our team concluded the week with a strengthened sense of community and a renewed outlook. We look forward to future opportunities to collaborate and to continue contributing to the development of the crypto space.