SuperEx丨Ethereum Developer Conference Devcon SEA Guide
The Ethereum Developer Conference, Devcon SEA 2024, is being held from November 12 to 15 at the main stage of the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) in Thailand. This conference attracts developers, innovators, researchers, and blockchain enthusiasts from around the world, making it one of the largest Ethereum Devcons to date. The four-day event covers a rich array of topics, including Ethereum’s latest technological advancements, cutting-edge research in the ecosystem, and the innovative applications of decentralized apps (dApps).
Here are the top ten speakers at Devcon:
- Vitalik Buterin — Co-founder @ Ethereum
- Austin Griffith — Builder on Ethereum
- Aya Miyaguchi — Executive Director @ Ethereum Foundation
- Matthew Tan — Founder of Etherscan
- Tim Beiko — Protocol Support
- Juan Benet — Founder of Protocol Labs, IPFS and Filecoin
- Kevin Owocki — Founder @ Gitcoin
- Trent Van Epps — Political Organizer @ Protocol Guild
- Sreeram Kannan — Founder of EigenLayer Protocol
- Pooja Ranjan — Ethereum Cat Herders
Conference Schedule and Highlights
Devcon SEA 2024 has a well-rounded, compact schedule, with keynote speeches, panel discussions, technical workshops, and community interaction activities throughout the event. The following are the main activities scheduled each day:
Main Stage Events: From 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM daily, prominent figures such as Vitalik Buterin will give keynote speeches at the Main Stage, sharing their insights on Ethereum’s future.
Workshops: Several halls at BITEC are hosting technical workshops covering a wide range of topics, from smart contract development to Layer 2 scaling solutions.
Community Exhibitions: In BITEC’s exhibition area, projects from around the world will showcase the latest Ethereum applications and tools, offering interactive opportunities for participants to better understand the diverse innovations within the ecosystem.
A notable feature of this Devcon is the “Learning and Experimentation Zone,” specifically designed to provide technical support for both beginners and experienced developers. Here, attendees can directly ask Ethereum core developers about best practices for smart contracts, on-chain privacy protection, and the latest trends in Web3 infrastructure.
Speakers
Devcon SEA 2024 has invited senior experts and Ethereum core team members from various fields as speakers, covering a wide range of topics:
- Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, will share the latest outlook on the Ethereum roadmap, including planned protocol upgrades.
- Austin Griffith, Ethereum tech advocate, will focus on Layer 2 scaling and user experience optimization.
- Aya Miyaguchi, Executive Director of the Ethereum Foundation, will discuss the global development of the Ethereum ecosystem and the foundation’s long-term support strategy.
Other speakers include Matthew Tan, founder of Etherscan, Juan Benet from Protocol Labs, and Sreeram Kannan from EigenLayer, who will explore technical challenges, ecosystem development, and future trends. These talks are not only aimed at tech professionals but also friendly to the general public, covering various aspects of blockchain’s future development.
Special Activities at Devcon SEA
Devcon SEA also offers special activities and interactive opportunities:
- Innovation Project Exhibits: Attendees can explore various Web3 projects at the exhibition area, seeing how they leverage blockchain technology to empower different industries. This exhibit includes DeFi, NFTs, privacy protection, digital identity, and other application scenarios.
- Hackathon: The 48-hour hackathon attracts developers to build and launch innovative Ethereum projects within a limited time, with the opportunity to win awards.
- Networking: Devcon offers ample social interaction opportunities, from post-conference mixers to small group discussions, allowing participants to connect and network with peers.
Frontier Topics in the Ethereum Ecosystem
The focus of this Devcon is on the frontier technologies and future developments of the Ethereum ecosystem, covering the following areas:
- Layer 2 Scaling Solutions: Under Vitalik Buterin’s advocacy, Ethereum’s Layer 2 solutions have become core to enhancing network scalability. Several project teams will demonstrate how technologies like zk-Rollups and Optimistic Rollups can improve Ethereum’s transaction efficiency while maintaining decentralization and security.
- Ethereum Protocol Upgrades: The conference will dive into Ethereum’s next phase of upgrades, including sharding technology, EIP proposal progress, and other scalability improvements, all aimed at making Ethereum the global computing platform.
- Zero-Knowledge Proofs and Privacy Protection: With increasing user demand for privacy, zero-knowledge proof technology has become a focal point. Attendees will learn how to build trusted data exchange and verification mechanisms while preserving privacy.
- DeFi and NFT Applications: The rise of DeFi and NFTs has brought new vitality to the crypto industry. Devcon offers several panel discussions focused on how decentralized protocols can support broader financial applications, while also driving innovation in art, collectibles, and other NFT areas.
- Ethereum Education and Community Outreach: The Ethereum Foundation and community organizations are advancing blockchain education projects to help more people globally understand and use Ethereum technology. Devcon provides an opportunity for educational and outreach projects to showcase their work, encouraging communities worldwide to accelerate blockchain adoption.
The Importance of Devcon SEA
Devcon is not only Ethereum’s annual developer gathering but also one of the most important conferences in the global blockchain space. It provides a platform for industry practitioners, researchers, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts to share knowledge, discuss cutting-edge technology, and build connections. The 2024 Devcon SEA, especially in Southeast Asia — a region rapidly developing in blockchain — further demonstrates Ethereum’s commitment to global expansion. For attendees, this is not only an opportunity to learn about Ethereum’s latest developments but also a starting point for driving innovation and realizing ideas.
Conference Participation Guidelines
To ensure the smooth operation of the conference, here are some important participation guidelines:
- Registration and Check-in: Participants should complete check-in between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM each day to ensure timely entry.
- Equipment and Preparation: It is recommended that participants bring laptops to practice in the workshops. Free Wi-Fi is available at the venue.
- Language Support: Real-time translation services will be provided to facilitate communication among participants of different languages.
- Environmental Sustainability: The conference advocates environmental awareness. Participants are encouraged to bring their own water bottles to reduce plastic waste.
Conclusion
The Devcon SEA 2024 will further promote Ethereum’s global adoption and innovation. By providing a platform for developers and blockchain enthusiasts to learn, exchange, and showcase, Devcon not only strengthens Ethereum’s position in the blockchain space but also accelerates the technological realization and widespread use of decentralized applications. In the future, Ethereum and the decentralized technologies it supports are expected to transform industries such as global finance, supply chains, and privacy protection, bringing fairness and freedom to more people.
