The Challenge of “Bounty Hunters” in Hackathons
In the world of industry hackathons, a significant portion of participants are motivated primarily by the allure of quick cash prizes, a phenomenon that Dominic Kwok refers to as “bounty hunters.” These individuals often flit from one contest to another, leaving little lasting impact on the projects they engage with.
However, EasyA—a startup co-founded by Dominic and his brother Phil four years ago—seeks to attract a different breed of competitor. Their goal is to engage developers who are passionate about building companies that can create meaningful contributions to the Web3 ecosystem. This strategy has proven successful; projects emerging from EasyA’s community and monthly in-person hackathons have collectively raised over $3 billion in funding from prestigious venture capital firms like a16z crypto and CMT Digital. Additionally, EasyA’s mobile app, designed to simplify the process for developers to kickstart their own Web3 projects, boasts over a million users globally.
Record-Breaking Participation in Hackathons
At the inaugural EasyA Consensus hackathon held in Austin last May, over 700 participants came together to launch 100 unique crypto projects. The Kwok brothers anticipate similar or even greater participation for upcoming events in Consensus Hong Kong and Consensus Toronto. For those interested, applications for the EasyA Hackathon at Consensus Hong Kong 2025 are now open.
In a recent discussion, the Kwoks elaborated on their innovative approach to hackathons, the anticipated differences for the Consensus Hong Kong event compared to other global hackathons, and how external factors like Donald Trump’s presidency might influence the focus of crypto developers.
The Origins of EasyA
Dominic shared insights into how EasyA was conceptualized: “We launched EasyA as a comprehensive resource for anyone interested in learning about the best blockchains in the world. Our app, available on both iOS and Android, provides insights into leading Layer Ones such as Solana, Polkadot, Stellar, and Ripple’s XRP Ledger. Our mission extends to not just teaching developers how to build but also how to launch their own projects. We regularly host large-scale hackathons globally, aiming to empower participants to not only develop but also found startups that attract funding from the ecosystem and venture capitalists.”
A Distinctive Approach to Hackathons
Dominic explained how EasyA distinguishes its hackathons from others: “We focus on two key aspects. Firstly, we prioritize founders who are genuinely interested in launching their own companies rather than those just chasing prizes. Our goal is to nurture participants who will stay and build their projects, as we believe the future of Web3 lies in these committed developers. Secondly, most of our hackathons center around a single blockchain technology, allowing participants to concentrate their efforts and launch on that specific platform, rather than spreading themselves thin across multiple chains. This focused approach ensures that developers engage with ecosystems that offer robust support.”
Expectations for Consensus Hong Kong
When asked about the upcoming Consensus hackathon in Hong Kong, Dominic highlighted the anticipated scale of the event. “We’re experiencing an unprecedented number of applications for seats, with participants not only from Hong Kong but also from various Asian countries like India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and China. Moreover, we’re witnessing considerable interest from Western developers, many of whom will be visiting Asia for the first time.”
Differing Project Themes in Global Hackathons
Phil added insights into the types of projects expected at the Hong Kong event compared to others: “There are both geographical and thematic factors at play. Recently, we’ve observed a surge in interest surrounding the intersection of AI and Web3, which has excited many developers. Additionally, the diversity of currencies in Asia means that developers there have a better grasp of cross-border use cases. U.S.-based developers may not perceive these friction points as clearly, so we anticipate a greater focus on developing cross-border payment solutions.”
Impact of Political Climate on Crypto Development
The conversation also touched on how political events, such as Donald Trump’s presidency, might influence hackathon projects. Phil noted, “DeFi has historically been one of the strongest areas of product-market fit in crypto, but many developers in the U.S. have been hesitant to build and launch due to regulatory fears. This has often resulted in decentralized applications that restrict access for U.S. users. However, we expect to see shifts in this landscape, particularly with DeFi, as more developers feel empowered to innovate.”
Insights at Consensus Hong Kong
Both Dominic and Phil are set to speak at Consensus Hong Kong, where they will address the challenges Web3 ecosystems face in attracting developers. Dominic explained, “Our keynote will focus on the difficulties currently hindering developer engagement in Web3. We aim to share insights on how to attract developers more effectively and at a larger scale. The growth of Web3 developers has stagnated, and at EasyA, we are committed to increasing this number by simplifying the onboarding process. We are also excited to unveil significant tech upgrades that will facilitate easier on-chain development during our presentation.”
Join the Movement
As EasyA continues to innovate and reshape the hackathon landscape, it invites developers and entrepreneurs to join their mission of building impactful Web3 projects. With a focus on community, support, and substantial opportunities for growth, EasyA is setting the stage for the next generation of blockchain innovation.
