Score Free Devcon Tickets Before They're Gone. (It's calling out to you).
PLUS: Exploring Value Accrual, the Fat Protocol Thesis, and so much more.
Alright fam, we're back at it again. Our generosity meter's broken (in a good way) - and we've lost count of the free value we've dished out. Spoiler: it's north of $50K. But why stop now?
Here's the latest scoop: We're dropping limited free tickets to Devcon - your all-access pass to Ethereum's beating heart.
For those who do not know, Devcon is the premier Ethereum conference for developers, thinkers, and makers. You’ll join a four-day hub of innovation, and be at the forefront of decentralized protocols, tools, and founders. Devcon Week will span the entire week of November 9-17, with events before and after Devcon, organized by the local and global Ethereum community.
Check it out here.
We've already got 50+ applications for those tickets - and we know there are more cracked builders out there who deserve a spot at the crypto event of the year.
keep 'em coming - and share it with those you know. Once you've applied, buckle up for today's deep dive. Also, don't miss our opportunities section - fresh MBC ALPHA awaits!
🔗 Value Accrual
In a Web3 space that’s dropping new layer 1 and layer 2 blockchains almost every week, value accrual has never been more crucial. It’s not enough to ride the wave of short-term hype; networks need to show they can capture and hold onto real economic value to justify their existence. The projects that reinvest in themselves, govern effectively, and smartly manage value distribution are the ones best positioned for long-term success. The article we’re sharing dives into how value accrual is the key to figuring out which networks will grow and stick around.
That said, value accrual isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. It’s a complex process involving governance, reinvestment, and distribution that doesn’t always reflect immediately in price action. This just goes to show how early we are in truly understanding how it all works. As we dig deeper into these dynamics, it becomes clear that value accrual will play a big role in shaping which projects will truly last.
Here’s a few more reads on the topic - 1, 2.
🔗 Exploring the Fat Protocol Thesis
Building on the discussion of value accrual, the Fat Protocol thesis introduces a fascinating perspective on where value truly lies in blockchain ecosystems. Unlike Web2, where value accrues primarily to applications (like Facebook or Google), the Fat Protocol theory suggests that in Web3, it’s the underlying protocols (like Ethereum or Solana) that capture the most value. This happens due to two key factors: the shared data layer, which makes interoperability between applications easier, and the speculative nature of protocol tokens, which rise in value as more apps are built on top of them.
However, this theory faces some challenges, especially as apps begin to develop their own specialized protocols, or when off-chain solutions potentially outgrow the base layer in value. Additionally, managing countless protocol-specific tokens could become cumbersome. It’s an evolving topic, especially with L1s, L2s, and app chains now part of the mix. For those curious, there’s also an insightful panel on this topic from the Penn Blockchain Conference 2023 that’s worth checking out.
Also, another perspective that explores “thin applications”.
We Curate, You Level Up ⚡️
Join over 2.3k+ students worldwide who stay informed about frontier technologies. We cover a variety of insightful research and put in the work curating it so you can focus on what you do best - all in a 5-minute read.
You can always unsubscribe whenever, but before you do, if it’s something we can change/improve, don’t be afraid to let us know :)
Midwest Blockchain Conference - Franklin Templeton Research Competition
MBC isn't just another conference. While we offer cutting-edge panels, workshops, and sponsors, we've got something extra special in store for you. We're thrilled to partner with Franklin Templeton, a global leader in asset management, to bring you an exciting research competition for attending students.
What's at stake? A $5,000 prize pool and the invaluable opportunity to network and present your ideas to industry professionals.
You should also check out our first megathread for a sneak peek at our star-studded lineup. We're talking some of the biggest names in Web3 - Make sure you and the homies are pulling up.
Avalanche Summit LATAM
Forget Oktoberfest, the real party's happening in Buenos Aires this October 16-18, 2024. Avalanche Summit LATAM is about to drop some serious heat by unveiling the most significant upgrade in Avalanche history: Avalanche9000.
Whether you're a developer, founder, or investor, this unique event in the vibrant heart of downtown Buenos Aires will inspire, educate, and connect you with the brightest minds shaping the future of blockchain technology.
Coming for Devcon? Stay for ZuThailand!
ZuThailand is a pop-up city from 18th Nov to 18th Dec with 300+ builders for a curated, community-driven experience to test new hypotheses in real-time and build paradigm-shifting technologies.
Here’s what to expect:
A month-long buildathon focused on collaboration, knowledge sharing, and purposeful building.
A fellowship program featuring 24 of the brightest minds paired with world-class mentors to foster growth and innovation.
Seminars, lectures, and discussions diving into the most pressing topics around Ethereum and decentralized technologies.
A permanent stage at Wonderfruit, where tech enthusiasts and artists will collaborate and showcase their groundbreaking projects.
…and so much more! Snag those student tickets and send in your ZuThailand application to be part of one of the most exciting Ethereum events of the year.
⚡️Job searching can be tough. We’ve been there.
But don’t worry, we’ve built a system to give you an unfair advantage in landing roles at some of the most innovative companies in the world.
Tap into our talent network, and we’ll help send cutting-edge opportunities your way.
We’re also here to assist you with resume advice, career guidance, interview preparation, networking strategies, and more 👇
Key Thought Leader Highlight: Dominic Williams
Dominic is the Founder and Chief Scientist at DFINITY, responsible for building the Internet Computer.Since the organization’s inception in 2016, DFINITY’s mission has been to transform the public internet into a powerful decentralized cloud to host the next-generation of software and services.
The Internet Computer is being built by a team of distributed systems and cryptography experts, across several research centers around the world, and backed by investors such as Andreessen Horowitz and Polychain Capital. Over the past 20 years, Dominic has had a distinguished career as a crypto theoretician and serial entrepreneur focused on the Internet and distributed systems. Recently, his scientific discoveries across Threshold Relay and PSC chains, Validation Towers and Trees, USCIDs, and The 3 E's of Sybil Resistance have pioneered new approaches to cryptography and blockchain technology.
Cya next week 🚀
Another month, another memecoin—things just keep getting crazier in this space. The latest to join the frenzy? Moodeng—yes, that hippo you’ve been seeing all over your social media. And it just gets better.
The latest rally came after none other than Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin sold 10 billion Moodeng tokens, worth over $800,000, and donated part of the proceeds to an anti-airborne-disease charity.
Only in crypto, right? Yet another reason to love this space and keep building.
That being said, we hope you’re having an awesome week (and if not, hopefully Moodeng gives you a good laugh) and we'll catch you next time ;)
If you found our newsletter insightful (or just really liked the memes), don’t keep it to yourself! Share it with your friends, classmates, or anyone who loves staying ahead of the tech curve.
Remember, the journey from 0 to 1 in Web3 is always more fun with friends. Let’s grow this community together and continue exploring the next era of the internet👇