Welcome back to Chain Reaction.
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Annyeong, or Hello, friends! Although I’m usually based in New York City, this week I’m reporting from Seoul, South Korea for Korea Blockchain Week.
The week is jam-packed with several conference events as well as offsite side events and networking happy hours. I adopted Web3 Gaming, Enterprise Blockchain (I am a moderate), Institutional Adoption, Regulatory Climate and Investment in Asia.
I was also busy with this the bunch Interviews with local experts on Eastern markets as well as those who came to meet startups based in the region. That means I’ll be publishing more articles on TechCrunch based on these conversations in the coming days and weeks…so keep an eye out for that.
Meanwhile, there was some news that hit the Web3 world, so let’s get into it.
This week on web3
- Crypto Funding In August Wasn’t As Good As The Numbers May Lead You To Believe (TC+)
- Blockchain technology needs a ‘ChatGPT moment’ to scale enterprise adoption (TC+).
- Metamask now allows crypto cash-outs to PayPal and banks, but fees can be high
- Glynn’s tech-savvy chatbot for Discord and Slack attracts Solana founder in oversubscribed round
- US Can’t Kill Crypto: Real Regulations Coming
The latest pod
For this week episode, Jacqueline Interviewed by Charlie Shrem, founder of the Bitcoin Foundation, general partner of Druid Ventures and host of The Charlie Shrem Show.
Prior to that, he was the co-founder and CEO of BitInstant, a Bitcoin payment processor launched in 2011. Shortly after founding the company, he was charged with operating an unlicensed money transmitter business and alleged that he attempted money laundering. The now-defunct dark web marketplace made more than $1 million through Silk Road. As a result he spent more than a year in a low security prison.
Now, Charlie is a vocal advocate for clear crypto regulation, is a crypto investor, podcaster and even a film producer.
We discussed how Bitcoin and the crypto ecosystem have changed (and stayed the same) over the past decade, as well as how it has shaped his view of the captive industry.
We also talked about:
- The need for regulatory transparency in the United States
- Crypto projects and sectors he is following
- How the Bitcoin Ecosystem is Growing
- Friend.tech
- Tips for listeners
Subscribe chain reaction on apple podcast, Spotify Or to keep up with the latest episodes on your favorite podcast platform, and leave us a review if you like what you hear!
Follow the money
- Story Protocol has raised over $54 million in a round led by a16z Crypto
- Domain name startup D3 Global has raised $5 million in a seed round led by Shima Capital
- Cross-chain communication protocol Socket raises $5 million from Coinbase Ventures and Framework
- Kotani gets $2 million pre-seed to help African workers send money home via crypto
- GenTwo raised $15 million in a Series A funding round led by Point72 Ventures
This list is compiled with information from Messari as well as TechCrunch’s own reporting.
What else are we writing?
Want to branch out into the world of Web3? Here are some TechCrunch articles that caught our attention this week.
- Our Favorite Startups from YC’s Summer 2023 Demo Day, Day 1 (TC+)
- The clubhouse is trying to make a comeback
- Tech companies are finding their profit groove (TC+).
- Here’s why some investors are sitting out YC Demo Day (TC+).
- EU confirms six (mostly US) tech giants subject to Digital Markets Act
Follow me on Twitter @jacquemelinec For breaking crypto news, memes and more.