Devcon SEA: Roundup and Insights

The 7th Devcon took place in Southeast Asia from November 12–15, 2024, marking the largest and most global edition yet. If you’ve always dreamed of attending or missed this one, here’s a high-level recap filled with highlights and insights. Hopefully, it inspires you to prioritize attending the next Devcon!

Devcon Highlights

This Devcon broke records, doubling the attendance of the previous edition in Bogotá. Attendees came from 130 countries, and notably, 60% were first-timers.

The event was hosted entirely at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok, spanning three levels packed with talks, workshops, and activities. Navigating the venue was a feat in itself—going from Stage 1 to Stage 6 could take 10–15 minutes, depending on your pace. Many attendees clocked over 12,000 steps a day, making it a mind-and-body activation experience!

Devcon offered something for everyone, spanning 10 distinct content tracks, from Real World Ethereum to Usability, Cypherpunk, and Privacy. Community-led sessions added another layer of depth, such as the d/acc (Defensive Acceleration) Discovery Day and interactive activities like the Capture the Flag game. Beyond the sessions, attendees could explore 300+ hours of recorded content through the Devcon app: app.devcon.org/schedule.

The event wasn’t just about talks. Devcon created spaces for connection and relaxation:

• Community hubs and breakout rooms for intimate discussions.
• A decompression room offering Thai massages and nap areas.
• Gaming stations for some light-hearted fun.
• A music stage for impromptu performances.
• A treasure hunt and other creative activities to keep the energy high.

In the midst of all that fun, Devcon attendees also had the chance to watch the first crowdfunded anime on Ethereum. White Rabbit was an ongoing interactive film where, with each chapter, fans could cast their votes and unlock new scenes, bringing an extra layer of engagement to the anime production.

Devcon 7 wasn’t just a conference; it was a celebration of Ethereum’s vibrant global community. Whether you came to learn, collaborate, or simply soak in the atmosphere, this Devcon truly had something for everyone.

Key Takeaways from Devcon

1. Ethereum Applies Long-Term Thinking to Cultivate the Infinite Garden

Devcon started with an opening performance and address by Skylar, the Devcon team lead, celebrating the vibrant SEA community and its contributions to Ethereum’s global ecosystem. This was followed by a 2024 recap by Josh Stark from the Ethereum Foundation leadership and a philosophical reflection on redefining boundaries in the Infinite Garden by Aya Miyaguchi, the EF’s Executive Director. Both Josh and Aya, alongside Skylar, emphasized that Ethereum’s success today is deeply rooted in long-term thinking.

The values we cherish—credible neutrality, open-source principles, open participation, and decentralization—can sometimes slow short-term progress. However, these trade-offs are intentional, as Ethereum prioritizes sustainability and resilience over quick wins. Ethereum is a marathon, not a sprint.

Vitalik’s customary Ethereum in 30 Minutes talk reinforced this ethos, describing Ethereum as a "world computer" that evolves cautiously and deliberately. It’s not a system that can be whimsically altered—it won’t suddenly "wake up on a Tuesday" with new management making arbitrary decisions to delete applications or overhaul its model without notice.

2. People want the Ethereum ecosystem to feel like using a single chain

Four years after the Ethereum community embraced the rollup-centric roadmap, Ethereum has finally scaled, with sub-cent transactions now commonplace on most Layer 2 (L2) solutions. Yet, using these L2s often feels awkward and fragmented.

Among the many L2s launched in the name of scaling Ethereum, some perceive them as parasitic. While they settle on Ethereum, their contributions back to the main chain are minimal—driving capital outflows, paying only small fees, and causing significant UX fragmentation for users.

Josh Stark illustrated this with a comparison: the current Ethereum and L2 ecosystem feels like disjointed chains where users struggle to move funds or access apps seamlessly across L2s. In contrast, the ideal Ethereum should function as a unified, interoperable network where everything feels interconnected and effortless.

The panel on "Unified Ethereum" vs "L2 Ecosystem Competition": Can we have both? brought together major L2 builders from Arbitrum, Base, and Optimism, along with Vitalik, to discuss their efforts toward unifying Ethereum. They explored solutions to enhance collaboration and improve user experiences across L2s.

When asked on why is Vitalik being optimistic about interoperability coming faster than most thought, he highlighted the often-overlooked strength of Ethereum's growing social capital. He noted that the Ethereum Layer 1 ecosystem is rapidly improving its ability to coordinate, plan, and implement complex EIPs (Ethereum Improvement Proposals). This acceleration is driven by a community that continuously refines its collaborative processes, learning and evolving together with each proposal cycle.

He expressed confidence that the same trajectory of growth and coordination will occur even faster within the Layer 2 and wallet ecosystems, as these communities adopt similar iterative approaches to innovation and execution.

Following the panel, Hart Lambur delivered a keynote on unifying Ethereum with intents and the proposed ERC-7683 standard. This mechanism aims to create a seamless, two-second experience for users navigating different L2s. With over 40 ecosystem teams already supporting this standard, it represents a positive step toward achieving the vision of a unified Ethereum ecosystem.

3. Decentralization as Ethereum's Defining Principle

At Devcon, the critical role of decentralization in Ethereum’s ethos was a recurring theme. Philip Daian, in his talk A Roadmap to (Real) Decentralization in a World of Centralized Power, emphasized that the deliberate distribution of power must take precedence over performance. He warned that performant systems without decentralization only replicate the centralized structures Ethereum seeks to replace.

Daian outlined four non-negotiable pillars of Ethereum: permissionlessness, distributed power, geo-economic decentralization, and neutrality. Any compromise on these pillars, he argued, risks undermining Ethereum's mission.

This sentiment was echoed during the Ethereum’s Values and Ethos Alignment panel, where all participants unanimously agreed that decentralization is Ethereum’s most crucial property. Losing it would threaten censorship resistance, permissionless access, and even credible neutrality. The panelists noted that decentralization serves as Ethereum's safeguard—allowing the protocol to outlast failures of individual neutrality.

Vitalik further expanded on decentralization’s broader implications during his keynote for Defensive Acceleration (d/acc) Discovery Day. He presented a vision for balancing progress and protection, highlighting the need for technologies that enhance resilience while fostering open, decentralized systems.

Vitalik detailed innovations in disaster preparedness, cybersecurity, pandemic resilience, and combating misinformation as essential defenses. At the same time, he championed progress through longevity research, affordable housing, renewable energy, and collaborative governance tools like quadratic voting and public goods funding.

A cohesive future hinges on empowering decentralized collectives to adapt and thrive without collapsing into centralized control. He also stressed the importance of tools that filter information fairly, avoiding the concentration of power in elites. This vision ties directly to Ethereum's core mission: creating resilient, open systems that prioritize decentralization as the foundation for a more equitable future.

3. Human Stories of Real World Ethereum Usage

One session I deeply appreciated was Human Stories of Real-World Ethereum, where the Next Billion Fellows shared how Ethereum is empowering their communities and impacting everyday lives. In a space often dominated by technical debates and abstract problem-solving, this session offered a refreshing perspective, connecting Ethereum to tangible human experiences.

The workshop began with representatives from eight communities pitching their projects, followed by breakout sessions where participants could engage directly with them. I joined Lefteris' group, intrigued by his work addressing marine plastic pollution with fishermen through Enaleia, a social enterprise he co-founded. Lefteris explained how Enaleia uses Ethereum to record the amount of marine plastic their fishermen collect. This blockchain-based system ensures transparency and trust, addressing the issue of inflated claims often made by organizations, including large NGOs.

Enaleia employs a robust two-layer verification process to authenticate the data recorded onchain. The first layer involves recycling companies, which weigh and pay for the collected plastic waste, and the second layer includes consultants like Deloitte, who independently verify the plastic quantities received by the recyclers. This dual-verification system ensures that the reported data is accurate and credible.

Amid the ongoing efforts of technologists to solve complex challenges, it’s inspiring to see projects like Enaleia leveraging Ethereum’s strengths—tamper-proof data and transparency—to drive meaningful, real-world impact. It’s a testament to how Ethereum’s value extends beyond the technical echo chamber, fostering trust and empowering communities globally.

Closing Thoughts

The above is just a high-level overview of the Devcon experience, representing only a small part of the many unique adventures participants had. Devcon is a giant playground with endless possibilities, and each attendee’s journey is distinct. Beyond the main event, there were over 700 side events held in the weeks surrounding Devcon, further amplifying its impact and bringing together Ethereum enthusiasts from all walks of life in Bangkok.

The effort Devcon put into engaging the Road to Devcon communities was also evident, creating a ripple effect that continues to inspire and expand Ethereum’s reach, especially in Southeast Asia. The local attendees in Bangkok also expressed glowing praise for the event, highlighting its significance both globally and within their communities. Big thanks to the Devcon team for such a memorable experience!

If you’re looking to relive the Devcon magic, head over to Devcon's blog, follow Devcon's X profile, and browse more vibes with #Devcon2024 on X.

What's Next?

Devcon takes place every two years, so the next edition will be in 2026. In the meantime, Devconnect, a week of community-organized events, will be held next year. The location for both Devcon and Devconnect is still up for discussion—it's up to the Ethereum community to propose the next venue. Stay tuned!