Pinax helped The Graph engage with conference participants and promote the power of the protocol.
On August 16–18, 2024, ETH Shenzhen gathered web3 developers, enthusiasts, and cutting-edge project teams to explore the future of the Ethereum ecosystem. The event was co-hosted by OpenBuild (@OpenBuildxyz), the Shenzhen University Blockchain Association, and Panta Rhei (@0xpantarhei).
ETH Shenzhen aimed to connect, inspire, and educate developers from the Greater Bay Area (Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao) and beyond. With an increasing number of developers flocking to Shenzhen and benefiting from Hong Kong’s progressive blockchain policies, this event was a golden opportunity for participants to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving blockchain sector.
Participants gained insights into the technical advancements of the Ethereum ecosystem, the opportunity to engage with top-tier experts, and a chance to participate in a hackathon that promised both recognition and rewards.
Hackathon sponsorship and tracks
ETH Shenzhen was supported by:
- The Ethereum Foundation (@ethereum)
- Fuel Labs (@fuellabs_)
- Morph (@MorphL2)
- The Graph (@graphprotocol)
- Mina (@MinaProtocol)
- Chainlink (@chainlink)
- Orochi (@OrochiNetwork)
- SmartLayer (@SmartLayer)
- Vara Network (@VaraNetwork)
- SNZ (@snzholding)
- Bifrost (@Bifrost)
With a prize pool exceeding $50,000, the hackathon had four major tracks:
- Innovative dApps
- Open-Source Tools/Infrastructure
- xFi
- General
These categories aimed to cover a wide spectrum of web3 innovation, encouraging participants to push the boundaries of decentralized applications, infrastructure, and financial technology.
Event kickoff
The 2.5-day conference attracted over 400 registrants. The first afternoon kicked off with hacker check-in and an introduction to the hackathon competition details. Following that, guest speakers from Morph, Mina, Gear, and Chainlink presented technical insights into their respective projects. The evening’s ice-breaker party was a casual gathering where attendees shared pizza and beer, creating an open atmosphere for networking and collaboration.
ETH Shenzhen in full swing
On the second day, the schedule was packed with keynote speeches and panel discussions from various projects.
Sponsors set up booths, where attendees could engage directly with teams and explore potential collaboration. Enthusiasm and friendliness permeated the venue, as web3 builders showcased their passion and curiosity. The Graph’s booth saw a constant flow of visitors keen to learn more about the protocol, and The Graph provided T-shirts to everyone who stopped by.
Final day
The final day featured three panels in the morning, with a special focus on the University Blockchain Associations panel, which laid the groundwork for future collaborations with institutions such as Shenzhen University, Zhejiang University, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Jiangsu University, and Peking University blockchain associations.
An intro to The Graph and Pinax
In the afternoon, just before the hackathon demo presentations, Anthony from The Graph delivered a keynote titled, “The Graph: A New Era of Data & Information,” where he outlined The Graph’s recent work and its future plans, and introduced the ecosystem core contributors.
Pinax, as a core development team, provided on-site support at ETH Shenzhen, helping to facilitate The Graph’s offline interactions and community engagement. By this point in the conference, many participants were already well-acquainted with The Graph, thanks to interactions during the previous two days, and familiar faces filled the audience.
Hackathon results
The hackathon received 35 project submissions, with 29 making it to the final demo show, where teams showcased their unique innovations. The winning projects from the main track can be viewed on the Bounties page.
See you next time!
ETH Shenzhen was a resounding success, bringing together talented developers and innovative project teams. The event not only highlighted the vibrant blockchain community in the region but also provided a platform for developers to showcase their ideas, collaborate, and learn from the best in the industry.
It was a privilege to meet so many incredible developers and connect with remarkable projects during the event. The crew at Pinax looks forward to seeing everyone again at future in-person events.
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