KBW 2024 #recap:

1. The layout for the conference this year was really bad! As someone who has attended EthDenver, DevCon, ABS, Token2049, etc., I've never been to a venue so cramped and confusing. I literally got lost trying to visit every booth on the first day. Very disappointing.
2. The retail users in Korea are still there, but maybe not as many as I thought? It would be great if #KBW2024 could clarify the number of participants compared to previous years. In general, I feel like people from the West, especially the US, are more willing to come to Korea because they love the culture. As a local Asian, I think the Chinese-speaking market (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mandarin-speaking areas) needs a better value proposition, especially for events. These events add credibility, either for a country or a region.
3. About the TON side event: The TON event was incredibly popular! Even though we tried to accommodate everyone (standing outside to chat with everyone and make sure they found us), I was surprised by the turnout. There were plenty of side events happening at the same time, but people chose ours. We definitely need to find a bigger venue next time! Shoutout to the best local teammates: Harvey Kim, Lucy, Sean, and @TON_SocietyKR.
4. About BTC and other ecosystems: I visited a few other ecosystems to learn more. It seems like everyone is trying to attract new users, just like we’re seeking liquidity in DeFi. This is also why people are interested in TON and Telegram—everyone wants new users.

The conclusion for KBW this year is:

"Stay alive and try to survive in this industry, no matter what."