The Transformation and Maturity of the Web3 Industry: In-depth Analysis of TOKEN2049 Dubai Conference

The recently held TOKEN2049 Dubai conference attracted over 15,000 participants from more than 160 countries, becoming an important event in the global crypto industry. This conference not only reflects the evolution of market dynamics but also reveals the profound changes that the Web3 industry is undergoing.

Main Trends of the Conference

1. Infrastructure construction has become the focus, accounting for 15.7% of the discussion.

2. Although artificial intelligence is very popular (11%), there is a gap between actual applications and expectations.

3. The comprehensive ratio of stablecoins and real-world assets ( RWA ) exceeds AI, indicating the market's preference for practical applications.

4. DeFi discussions are becoming more mature, exploring how to complement traditional finance.

5. The Solana ecosystem is gaining more attention and may become a turning point in the Layer 1 blockchain landscape.

Industry Depth Changes

The rise of stablecoins as core infrastructure

Stablecoins have become a key component of the digital economy, with a market expected to reach trillions of dollars. The industry's focus has shifted from simple integration to control over the payment layer, with multiple ecosystems accelerating the establishment of their status as foundational settlement platforms.

AI in the crypto space: High enthusiasm but still in the experimental stage.

Despite the attention on AI, there is a gap between market enthusiasm and technological maturity. In the long term, areas such as decentralized AI computation and open-source agent frameworks are still seen as potential development directions.

Node sales spark controversy

The sale of physical node devices has drawn attention and is seen as a measure to enhance decentralization. However, some individuals question whether this is merely another retail financing strategy.

Technological innovation requires effective execution.

Relying solely on technological innovation is no longer sufficient to attract market interest. The project team is shifting its focus from research and development to formulating strategic market entry plans and understanding liquidity flows.

Important Announcement

1. A certain stablecoin issuer plans to launch a new USD stablecoin that complies with U.S. regulatory requirements.

2. A trading platform launched a self-custody crypto payment application and announced multiple institutional partnerships.

3. A certain custody institution acquires Tungsten Custody to expand its business in the UAE.

4. The integration of Mesh with Apple Pay simplifies cryptocurrency payments in the retail environment.

5. A certain fund completed a $2 billion investment in a trading platform through the stablecoin USD1.

6. MEXC Ventures has established a $300 million fund to invest in modular chains and other infrastructure.

7. Former PayPal executive launches payment protocol Spark based on the Bitcoin Lightning Network.

Industry Development Stage Transition

TOKEN2049 Dubai Conference clearly showcased the shift of the crypto industry from speculation to practicality and infrastructure development. The main directions include:

1. Stablecoins have become the infrastructure of the digital economy
2. AI is hot, but the market is becoming cautious.
3. Dubai consolidates its position as a regulatory and capital center for Web3.

Overall, the Web3 ecosystem is entering a new stage that relies on infrastructure development, system integration, and actual delivery capabilities. The market places greater emphasis on practical applications and clear value propositions rather than conceptual innovations, marking the industry's transition into a more mature "urbanization" era.