It's that time of year again when millions across the crypto world are looking forward to attending highly anticipated industry events lined up for the year 2025. While some web3 conferences are expensive networking events, others offer real value. Token2049 Dubai, Consensus, EthDenver,  India Blockchain Week, to mention a few, are some of the biggest web3 events  attracting thousands of attendees globally. But one question remains crucial: are web3 conferences bridges to innovation or echo chambers of hype? But one question remains crucial: are web3 conferences bridges to innovation or echo chambers of hype? In this interview with Olayimika Oyebanji, EAK Digital Founder Erhan Korhaliller shared valuable insights into web3 conferencing and Istanbul Blockchain Week. Can you briefly tell us about yourself and your crypto down-the-rabbit-hole story? I’m Erhan Korhaliller, CEO of EAK Digital, crypto marketing ,PR and events agency, and the organizer of Istanbul Blockchain Week (IBW). My Web3 journey began in 2017, drawn to blockchain’s potential to decentralize  trust and ownership. As I explored crypto, I was captivated by its vibrant communities and bold innovators but quickly realised that the industry was lacking high quality marketing, communications and events. So, we pivoted EAK Digital in 2017 to be 100% crypto and web3, and since then, we’ve grown into a team of over 40 professionals, working with some of the most recognized names in Web3, including Binance, Tron, OKX, Crypto.com, Sui and many more. As someone with Turkish roots, I was frustrated by the lack of high-quality blockchain events in Turkey, so in 2020, I decided to create one. That’s how Istanbul Blockchain Week was born: a platform to bring global builders, thinkers, and leaders together in one of the world’s most dynamic cities. It’s been an incredible ride, and I’m still deep in the rabbit hole - learning, building, and pushing the space forward every day. How can you describe the evolution of the event industry in the cryptocurrency space? The crypto event industry has transformed dramatically. Early conferences were small, tech-focused meetups for coders and crypto OGs discussing Bitcoin’s potential. As blockchain went mainstream, events like TOKEN2049 and Consensus grew into global hubs, drawing enterprises, investors, and regulators and evolving from a conference into a festival style format. Now, Web3 conferences blend high-caliber content with experiences and major side events that take over a city one week at a time. One of the problems now is there are just too many events for the industry to keep up on and attend, events that will stand the test of time will be those events that have an edge. We are working hard to make Istanbul Blockchain Week the go-to no.1 web3 event in Turkiye for any blockchain project that has an interest in the Turkish market. What are the primary benefits of attending a web3 conference for individuals and organizations? Web3 conferences offer transformative opportunities for both individuals and organizations. For individuals, these events are a gateway to cutting-edge knowledge and can provide inspiration, with keynotes from pioneers of the industry and workshops on topics like AI & Web3 convergence and real-world asset tokenization . Real life networking is a game-changer; conversations at events like our Istanbul Blockchain Week’s Dealflow Den or IstanHack hackathon can lead to seed investments, mentorships, job offers, or startup collaborations. There is no better way to build trust and a solid foundation to a working relationship than in-person and conferences are the perfect place to bring together the community. For organizations, conferences provide unmatched visibility and market intelligence. Sponsors gain exposure to highly targeted and engaged audiences, while startups can pitch to serious investors  through platforms like ours. A key point for organizations is learning about the local market regulation requirements. This is always a hot topic, due to its importance, and attending events allows organizations to not only listen to panels but to actively engage with regulators and take away valuable learnings. In addition, firms can gauge the real-world traction of emerging technologies, identify potential pitfalls by learning from others' experiences shared openly, and find vetted partners. Furthermore, these conferences are prime grounds for talent acquisition, connecting companies with skilled individuals who are not only technically proficient but also deeply passionate and already immersed in the Web3 ethos. How do web3 conferences contribute to innovation within the blockchain and decentralized technology space? Web3 conferences play a crucial role in driving innovation across blockchain and decentralized technologies. They bring together developers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and policymakers to challenge assumptions, share ideas, and explore what’s next. In 2025, for example, panels on AI-Web3 convergence and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization will dive into the future of decentralized finance and digital ownership. Hackathons like IstanHack are particularly powerful. They give developers a compressed time frame and a collaborative space to build real solutions. These aren't just theoretical exercises. In a matter of days, teams can go from a raw idea to a functioning prototype, often validated on the spot by potential users or investors present at the event – a rapid acceleration of the innovation cycle. I see many projects born from event meetups and hackathon collaborations go on to become significant players. During our last year's edition, sessions from thought leaders like Yat Siu on digital property rights and the TON Foundation on ecosystem development turned big ideas into tangible takeaways and sparked further development. Discussions at these events also subtly push towards shared understandings and, sometimes, informal consensus on best practices or the need for interoperability standards, which are vital for the ecosystem's health. That’s the true value of these gatherings; they’re about action, collaboration, and progress, effectively preventing the industry from becoming an echo chamber by curating diverse voices and hands-on experiences. What are some of the biggest challenges facing the web3 event industry? One big challenge is demonstrating tangible ROI beyond hype is paramount. Attendees and sponsors are increasingly discerning. They need to see clear value for their investment of time and money. This means a relentless focus on high-quality, curated content, networking that leads to concrete business outcomes, and actionable insights. Secondly, navigating regulatory uncertainty is a constant. The global legal landscape for crypto is a patchwork, requiring event organizers to be agile, responsible, and ensure compliance across various jurisdictions, a topic our legal speakers like Burçak Ünsal and Shehram Khattak (Trust Wallet) can attest to. Thirdly, market volatility inevitably impacts budgets and sentiment. Organizers need resilient models that deliver consistent value, whether the market is up or down. Fourthly, content saturation and attendee fatigue are real concerns. With a plethora of events, differentiation through unique value propositions, like our DefaiCon focusing on AI and DeFi, becomes crucial. Fifth, sustainability, both environmental and financial, is a growing consideration. Reducing the ecological footprint of large events and building financially stable models beyond just sponsorship are key. Finally, ensuring true inclusivity and accessibility – catering to diverse audiences from newcomers to seasoned experts, from different global regions, and potentially offering meaningful hybrid experiences – remains an important hurdle to overcome. Addressing these requires a steadfast commitment to quality, adaptability, and community. Can you share your experience with web3 conferences? Being both the organizer of Istanbul Blockchain Week and an active participant in global Web3 conferences gives me a unique vantage point on the industry's evolution. Over the past year, I’ve attended major international events such as the Future Blockchain Summit, Binance Blockchain Week 2024, and most recently, Paris Blockchain Week 2025 -  where I was deeply honored to receive the “AI KOL of the Year” award. Experiencing these conferences from both behind the scenes and on the ground consistently reaffirms their ability to solidify emerging ideas, foster meaningful connections, and drive real-world innovation. Organizing Istanbul Blockchain Week has really underscored for me the value of curating authentic voices and hosting events that actually spark innovation. On the flip side, attending other conferences has led to some of the most impactful partnerships in my career, often from unexpected, casual conversations. The best events, I believe, are those that deliver "real dialogue" – moving beyond one-way presentations to facilitate robust debates, hands-on workshops where skills are actually transferred, and networking environments designed for forging authentic, long-term relationships. That’s the gold standard we continuously strive for. Speaking of Istanbul Blockchain Week, what is it like to organize such event despite the uncertain state of the crypto market? The state of the market at the moment is pretty good, despite Trump’s tariff’s, Bitcoin remains above $100k, and the general feeling in the industry today is one of positivity but regardless of the price action innovation doesn’t stop, and neither do we. With a 30% crypto adoption rate and increasingly supportive blockchain policies, Turkiye offers a strong foundation for sustainable digital asset growth. As the country enters a new regulatory phase, we expect an influx of capital, talent, and infrastructure that will further elevate its role on the global stage. Istanbul Blockchain Week 2025 is set to attract a truly global audience eager to explore the hottest narratives shaping the future of finance and real-world asset tokenization. Building on the success of our previous three editions, drawing over 8,000 attendees and featuring 180+ international and local speakers like Yat Siu, Ben Zhou, Sebastian Borget, David Chaum, and Şant Manukyan, we anticipate the event to be another step to our goal of making Istanbul Blockchain Week the most unique web3 event in the annual calendar. Our goal is for attendees to leave with lasting connections, insights, and ideas that drive real-world impact, positioning Istanbul as the crypto capital of the world. Is Istanbul Blockchain Week a niche web3 event or does it cater to a broader web3 audience? Istanbul Blockchain Week is designed as a global Web3 event with truly broad appeal. Turkiye has some of the highest rates of adoption of cryptocurrency in the world and some of the highest trading volumes on major exchanges. This brings the eyes of the world onto Istanbul Blockchain Week, as the go-to event in the country. Since our first event in 2022, it has continued to grow year on year, based on its numbers, and also based on the quality of attendees, the Turkish market shows no sign of slowing down, and is only estimated to continue to grow alongside the growth of the digital asset industry. Our attendees are a broad mix of industry participants, ranging from retail traders all the way to tier one banks and regulators. Istanbul itself is a living metaphor for what we aim to achieve: connecting diverse ideas, talent pools, and markets. This isn't just a geographical advantage. It infuses the event with a unique dynamic, fostering a more open and globally-minded dialogue than you might find elsewhere. In addition to the main conference, side events like BlockDown Festival and exclusive community meetups foster inclusivity and grassroots engagement. With speakers like Christian Thompson from the Sui Foundation and Ben Zhou from Bybit, Istanbul Blockchain Week 2025 promises to resonate across the entire Web3 ecosystem, not just a niche segment. Any parting words? Web3 conferences are where ideas ignite and futures take shape, and Istanbul Blockchain Week 2025 will be a landmark moment. We’re bringing the world’s innovators to Istanbul to help define the next wave of Web3. To attendees: come curious, connect boldly, and leave inspired. To the industry: let’s keep building events rooted in real value, not just hype.

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Erhan Korhaliller Unpacks Web3 Conferences: Bridges To Innovation Or Echo Chambers Of Hype?

Erhan Korhaliller Unpacks Web3 Conferences: Bridges To Innovation Or Echo Chambers Of Hype?

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