Reflection: EMpower at DevCon Bangkok

APAC DAO x Lisk x Optimism x Gelato — An Evening of Insight, Innovation, and Impact

As the sun set over Bangkok’s skyline, something powerful was unfolding high above the city. EMpower at DevCon, an evening hosted by APAC DAO in collaboration with Lisk, brought together global leaders, builders, and advocates to explore Ethereum’s evolving role in emerging markets — and what it truly means to empower communities through blockchain.

With the buzz of DevCon in the air and some of the ecosystem’s most passionate minds in one room, EMpower wasn’t just an event — it was a statement of intent. A celebration of what’s possible when purpose meets technology, and when decentralized tools are shaped by local realities.

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A Rooftop Gathering, A Global Conversation

Held on one of Bangkok’s most iconic rooftops, EMpower created a unique atmosphere — blending high-level discussion with an open, community-first energy. Against a breathtaking panoramic view, guests connected over shared values, big questions, and bold ideas.

At the heart of the evening were conversations around:

• Ethereum’s impact in underserved markets

• The growing momentum behind Layer 2 (L2) adoption in Asia and beyond

• How protocols and communities are working to bring real-world utility to decentralized tech

These discussions were not theoretical. They were grounded in lived experience and ongoing work across the Global South — from financial access and public infrastructure to education and digital identity.

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Voices That Drive the Movement

We were proud to feature a strong lineup of speakers who are actively shaping the Ethereum and L2 ecosystem:

• Nicole Nguyen, Founder of APAC DAO and Global Growth Lead at Lisk, shared her reflections on what it means to build inclusive blockchain infrastructure from the ground up — especially in Asia.

• Leaders from the Optimism Foundation offered insights on building for the public good through optimistic rollups and RetroPGF.

• Gelato, a leading Web3 automation protocol, brought in perspectives on making on-chain experiences more seamless and accessible at scale.

Each speaker brought a different lens, but all shared a belief in the transformative potential of Ethereum when driven by community needs, not just capital cycles.

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The Spirit of EMpower

What made EMpower special wasn’t just the content — it was the connections sparked and the authenticity felt. From early-stage builders to protocol veterans, everyone present came with the intention to learn, share, and contribute.

Some guests came with questions, others with answers — but everyone left with a deeper sense of how our work connects to something bigger than just code.

And of course, the rooftop backdrop, Bangkok’s glittering skyline, and warm energy throughout the night created the perfect environment for reflection, ideation, and celebration.

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What Comes Next

 

EMpower was a moment — but also a marker of momentum. At APAC DAO, we’re committed to creating more spaces like this: where real conversations happen, and global protocols meet local purpose.

This is just the beginning of a broader movement to center emerging markets, diverse voices, and equitable infrastructure in the future of Web3.

As we continue this journey, we invite more builders, communities, and ecosystem leaders to join us in making sure that the future of blockchain is not just global — but also truly inclusive.