Blog
Local Ethereum #3
## March 2025 Roundup 🌍 > The story of Ethereum is a story of geography. Ethereum is a global network and a global movement. It is local nodes spread around the world that give rise to the phenomenon that is Ethereum. As such Ethereum is deeply rooted in geography. > > From local ETH communities and meetups to universities, from developers to startups, from policy to user adoption and more, **Local Ethereum** is a newsletter to cover the geo-story of Ethereum. Let's start!  _Artist: [Liam Cobb](https://liamcobb.com/)_ ## Asia 🌊 ### India - India's income tax department to monitor digital activities, [Including Cryptocurrency Holdings](https://thedefiant.io/news/regulation/india-s-income-tax-department-to-monitor-digital-activities-including-holdings-0792256b?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3), from April 2026 under new bill. - [Reskill](https://reskilll.com?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3), a hackathon organizer who previously organized the [Meta Llama India hackathon](https://reskilll.com/hack/aihack?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3), is cooking up an AI Ethereum Agentic hackathon. Stay tuned! - [Prof. Ankit](https://www.iiit.ac.in/faculty/ankit-gangawal/?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) from IIIT Hyderabad led a 5-day Ethereum development bootcamp during the [National Workshop and Bootcamp on Cyber Security and Blockchain](https://nwbcsb2025.iiit.ac.in?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) event (March 1-5, 2025). He's also establishing an "Ethereum Practical Lab" to enhance the Ethereum and Web3 Development curriculum he teaches. ### Malaysia - If you live in Kuala Lumpur, go hang out at ETHKL meetups, where they organize [biweekly ETH-related meetups](https://www.meetup.com/ethmalaysia/?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3), and the [hacker house](https://x.com/ETHKL1/status/1905474485110931808?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3). ### China Mainland - [ETHHangzhou hackathon](https://www.ethhangzhou.xyz/?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3#media), on AI and Public Goods, March 29-31, 2025. - Coset will host a [zkVM hackerhouse](https://coset.io/hackerhouse/suzhou-zkvm/?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) in Suzhou, April 14-27, 2025. ### Hong Kong - [ETHDimsum](https://x.com/ethdimsum_?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) is organizing a Cross-L2 Interoperability and Programmable Cryptography [research house](https://substack.com/home/post/p-158659994?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) in Hong Kong from April 6-9, 2025. Special community meetup on April 8. ### Taiwan - [ETHTaipei](https://x.com/EthTaipei/status/1907487762707775783?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) (1-2 April, 2025) is more than a conference. Shout out to the core team and the volunteers! - [ETHGlobal Taipei](https://x.com/ETHGlobal/status/1908137033194684684?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) (4-6 April, 2025) was a big success, drawing 730 attendees from 43 countries! - If you're curious about Taiwan's thriving Ethereum ecosystem, check out our [Taiwan Ethereum Ecosystem Overview](https://localethereum.beehiiv.com/p/taiwan-ethereum-ecosystem-overview). - [DeFiHackLabs](https://defihacklabs.io/?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) [Monthly Recap](https://x.com/1nf0s3cpt/status/1908332119061090722?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3). If you are interested in the latest 100 [root causes of DeFi incidents](https://www.notion.so/c582b99cd7a84be48d972ca2126a2a1f?pvs=21&utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3). ### Japan - Japan's ruling party proposes [capping crypto tax rate at 20%](https://www.theblock.co/post/344884/japans-ruling-party-proposes-capping-crypto-tax-rate-at-20-matching-stocks?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss), matching stocks. - The [ZK Tokyo workshops & talks](https://x.com/zk_tokyo/status/1903389104060195295?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) (April 26, 2025) are [open for applications](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1B8j0kVbTxHSMCJ-q47MLzjaX6VvP3v6HX3dy-_DVwks/viewform?pli=1&edit_requested=true&utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3). ### South Korea - South Korean central bank will [start 'hangang' CBDC pilot](https://www.theblock.co/post/346721/south-korean-central-bank-to-start-hangang-cbdc-pilot-with-100000-citizens-next-month-report?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss) with 100,000 citizens from April. ### Singapore - Do you know [OpenCerts](https://www.opencerts.io/?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) is an [open certification standard on Ethereum](https://x.com/0xstark/status/1902480263172542471?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3), built by GovTechSG? ### Thailand - If you are based in Bangkok and are interested in Ethereum core development, check out Unnawut's [Beam roadmap summary](https://beamroadmap.org/?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) and grab a coffee with [him](https://x.com/unnawut?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3)! ### Kazakhstan - Did you know that [Beam Chain client diversity](https://beamroadmap.org/?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) spans across continents, with [Quadrivium](https://qdrvm.io/?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) operating from Kazakhstan? ## Europe 🏰 ### Germany - BMF letter on crypto taxes: [The four most important takeaways](https://blockstories.beehiiv.com/p/kryptosteuern-bmf-veroeffentlicht-update?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3), by blockstories. - Take a peek at the [Protocol Berg v2 speakers](https://protocol.berlin/?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3#speakers); See you in Berlin on June 12-13, 2025! ### Switzerland - Ethereum Foundation forms [external council](https://x.com/ethereumfndn/status/1895442343689363652?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) to uphold core blockchain values. ### Ukraine - [ETHKyiv Impulse](https://x.com/ethkyiv_ua/status/1903123422043050177?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3): Farcaster Frames Edition, 05 April. ETHKyiv Impulse is a series of mini-Ethereum-hackathons in Kyiv focusing on real use cases. ### France - Introducing the advanced cryptography startup [ZKNox](https://zknox.eth.limo/posts/2025/02/18/introducingZKNOX_250218.html?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3), a new venture founded by three experts in hardware security and cryptography (ECC, ZK, MPC). ### Italy - [SpaghettETH](https://x.com/SpaghettEth?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) and [YOMI WEB3](https://x.com/YOMI_WEB3?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) are building [web3radio.it](https://web3radio.it?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) – the first decentralized webradio for communities. - If you are based in Italy, check out [SpaghettETH 2025 Roadmap](https://www.spaghett-eth.com/blog/roadmap2025?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3). ### Czechia - Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, and Vitalik Buterin, the creator of Ethereum, will hold a [fireside](https://x.com/EthPrague/status/1904186551531077663?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) chat at [EthPrague](https://ethprague.com/?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) (May 27-29, 2025). If you haven't bought your ticket yet, now's the perfect time to get one. - If you are visiting ETH Prague, you might be interested to know more about [The Paralelní Polis project](https://paralelnipolis.cz/en/?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3), which combines art, social sciences, and modern technology, and is based on the ideas of freedom, independence, and innovative societal development. ### Sweden - Research engineer Monica Jin and Raphina Liu from KTH under supervisor Martin Monperrus published the paper [On-Chain Analysis of Smart Contract Dependency Risks on Ethereum](https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.19548?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3). ### Serbia - [ETH Belgrade](https://ethbelgrade.rs/?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) organizes [regular meetups](https://lu.ma/ethbelgrade?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3). ### Poland - The intense 3-day [ETH Warsaw Spring Hack](https://x.com/ETHWarsaw/status/1903849177538330687?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) (21-23 March, 2025) saw 8 teams submit their projects, including AI-driven solutions for DeFi, Web3 onboarding, cybersecurity, and more. ### Romania - [ETHCluj](https://x.com/ETHCluj?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) organizes regular [online and offline meetups](https://www.meetup.com/ethcluj/events/306512992/?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3). The [March Edition](https://x.com/ETHCluj/status/1896579911709831650?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) is about Open Intents Framework & ERC-7638. - msg.sender on [Blueprints for ETHCommunities](https://medium.com/@balut.catalin25/blueprints-for-ethcommunities-777ee2207148?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3). ### Greece - [Interopolis](https://x.com/Interopolis?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3), an exclusive two-day onsite gathering for the interop community on May 22-23, 2025 in Athens, is now [calling for applications](https://x.com/Interopolis/status/1902038440876642510?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3). ### Iceland - The two-week [Impact Evaluator Research Retreat 2025](https://www.researchretreat.org/ierr-2025/?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) (July 26 - August 10, 2025, Iceland) is now open for applications. It focuses on the Impact Evaluator framework, evaluation mechanisms, and distributed funding systems. ## North America 🗽 ### United States - [Zach Obront](https://x.com/zachobront?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) and [Grant Hummer](https://x.com/gphummer?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) join [Etherealize](https://x.com/etherealize_io?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) as cofounders. - Edge City launches the [SHIFT Grants Program](https://www.edgecity.live/shift?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) to fund d/acc projects. - Uniswap passes [$165M Funding Plan](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/03/20/uniswap-passes-usd165m-funding-plan-after-dao-vote?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) after DAO vote. - Trump tariffs: [What they mean for Bitcoin and crypto?](https://decrypt.co/313394/trump-tariffs-what-mean-bitcoin-why-crypto-market-bullish?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) ### Canada - [Ethereum Vancouver](https://x.com/EthVancouver?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) organizes regular Ethereum meetups. ## Latam 💃 ### Argentina - [Devconnect is coming to Buenos Aires](https://x.com/EFDevcon/status/1897285197626024062?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3), Argentina from 17-22 November 2025!! - Welcome to Crecimiento Season 4: [BRING ARGENTINA ONCHAIN](https://x.com/crecimientoar/status/1899170618064638007?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3), with Ethereum. - If you are based in Córdoba or nearby, join [Ethereum Argentina Córdoba Edition](https://ethereumargentina.org/?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) at Campus Universidad Blas Pascal on April 12th, 2025. ### Brazil - Brazil's largest bank, Itaú Unibanco, is considering [launching its own stablecoin](https://x.com/Cointelegraph/status/1907902137339641897?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3), depending on local regulations and the success of U.S. financial institutions' stablecoin efforts. ### Honduras - Ethereum Tegucigalpa, [Q1 update](https://www.notion.so/717807c0ab6b4ce59741a9db8cc30444?pvs=21&utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3): meetups, work sessions, a bootcamp, and more. ### Mexico - According to a [report](https://www.finnosummit.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/RADAR-MEXICO_25.02.24-3.pdf?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) from Finnosummit, almost [half of Mexican startups](https://cryptonews.com/news/almost-half-of-mexican-startups-want-to-use-crypto-report/?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) want to use cryptocurrency. ## Africa 🦁 ### Nigeria - [Web3Bridge](https://www.web3bridgeafrica.com/?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) [Cohort XIII](https://www.web3bridgeafrica.com/register?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) registration is LIVE! - For the first time, we might have a client from Africa - [Afream](https://beamroadmap.org/?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3), the African-led Beam consensus client initiative focusing on regional blockchain adoption. - Similar like Web3Bridge, [Blockfuse Labs](https://x.com/blockfuselabs?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) also offered [Ethereum and Web3 training](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdOn-3186jflotdHBk7vpC1umcK7ANBNVeR-i43VcYii1nZhw/viewform?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3) for free. ## Oceania 🏄 ### Australia - Australian government outlines 'fit for purpose' [digital asset framework plans](https://www.theblock.co/post/347491/australian-government-outlines-fit-for-purpose-digital-asset-framework-plans-to-become-a-global-industry-leader?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss) to become a 'global industry leader'. - If you live in Sydney, please check out the monthly technical meetups organized by [Ethereum Melbourne](https://ethmelbourne.co/?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-3).
Taiwan Ethereum Ecosystem Overview
## This month, let's explore Taiwan's thriving Ethereum ecosystem. Special thanks to Hsiao Wei, Changwu, Martinet, Anton, Astro and Sunsec for feedback and review.  _[ETHTaipei](https://ethtaipei.org/) is just around the corner – secure your spot today!_ ## Tl;dr - Community ownership and volunteer spirit make Taiwan's Ethereum ecosystem unique, where people value digital democracy and open source. - Many local OGs in the Ethereum R&D space are still active in the ecosystem. They serve as stewards of its values, while also onboarding newcomers to the space. ## Policy - Taiwan does not recognize cryptocurrencies as legal currency. The Central Bank and Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) consider cryptocurrencies to be speculative "virtual commodities" rather than currencies. Banks are prohibited from accepting Bitcoin or providing crypto-related services, and credit card companies cannot process crypto purchases. - The FSC established AML guidelines for VASPs in 2023, with regulations officially starting January 2025 and registration required by September 2025. A comprehensive cryptocurrency law enabling stablecoin issuance and new trading rules is scheduled for June 2025. The regulatory framework's feasibility study concluded in late 2024, with legislation now progressing through the system. ## Values, Culture, and Digital Democracy - Taiwan's digital democracy, led by Minister [Audrey Tang](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audrey_Tang), uses technology to heal polarization and increase transparency, raising public trust from 9% to about 60%. Their approach features open-source tools, pro-social networks, and citizen deliberation processes that address challenges from AI deepfakes to cryptocurrency regulation, with Tang serving on the RadicalxChange Foundation board alongside Ethereum founder [Vitalik Buterin](https://x.com/VitalikButerin). - While the government treats cryptocurrencies as "virtual commodities" with comprehensive taxation, Taiwan's model represents a middle path between [AI-powered authoritarianism and blockchain-fueled libertarianism](https://time.com/6979012/audrey-tang-interview-plurality-democracy/), showing how technology and democracy can thrive together rather than in opposition. - "g0v" (gov-zero): A decentralized civic tech community with information transparency, open results and open cooperation as its core values. The community embraces innovative approaches to civic participation and decision-making, including experiments with mechanisms like Quadratic Funding and Quadratic Voting. - Open source culture: Taiwan has a vibrant and active open source ecosystem with organizations like Open Culture Foundation (OCF), COSCUP (Conference for Open Source Coders, Users & Promoters), g0v, MozTW, etc. Local Ethereum Communities like Taiwan Ethereum Meetup group actively support and sometimes organize Blockchain and Ethereum tracks at COSCUP. ## Local grassroots communities - [Taipei Ethereum Meetups](https://www.meetup.com/taipei-ethereum-meetup/): Born in April 2016, this group stands as one of Taiwan's earliest and most enduring Ethereum communities, evolving from basic discussions to exploring topics like scaling, zk proofs, DeFi, governance, and privacy. You can find more through their [Meetup page](https://www.meetup.com/Taipei-Ethereum-Meetup/) and [Luma page](https://lu.ma/taipei-ethereum-meetup). Contributors includes [Changwu](https://x.com/changwu_eth), [Chih-Cheng Liang](https://x.com/cc_liang), [Hsiao-wei Huang](https://x.com/hsiao_wei), etc. - [ETHTaipei](https://ethtaipei.org/): emerged as a grassroots conference and hackathon in 2023, distinguished by its entirely volunteer-driven organization. Core contributors includes [Changwu](https://x.com/changwu_tw), [Martinet](https://x.com/martinetlee), [Nic](https://x.com/martinetlee), [Anton](https://x.com/antonttc), [Ryan](https://x.com/ryanycwEth), [Nicole](https://x.com/cc03668), [Yenwen](https://x.com/tempofeng), [Bing](https://x.com/HugeBing). They come from different companies and organizations like Perpetual Protocol, Ethereum Foundation, Quantstamp, Zircuit, imToken, etc., all participating as passionate individuals rather than corporate representatives to advance the Ethereum ecosystem. - [DeFi TLDR](https://www.notion.so/perp/DeFi-TLDR-2508a2bd092f4a519b82dc6f8e76e735): operates as a monthly meetup in Taipei focused on decentralized finance. Participants contribute news articles and interesting topics to a shared document before each gathering, then deliver brief 1-3 minute introductions during the meetup, followed by open discussion. This initiative is coordinated by [Anton](https://x.com/antonttc) and [Yenwen](https://x.com/yenwen_lee). Find more here through their [Notion doc](https://www.notion.so/perp/DeFi-TLDR-32-1aa2f08f1ad9805eb61df651e5d4ddad), Luma page via the [ETHTaipei Luma](https://lu.ma/ETHTaipei_2025). - [zkTaipei](https://x.com/zktaipei): A grassroots community where builders and researchers discuss about zk and its applications. Core team includes Moven, [Nicole](https://x.com/cc03668), [Paul](https://x.com/nooma4286), PinHao, [Ryan](https://x.com/ryanycwEth), and [Oskar](https://x.com/oskarth) (listed alphabetically). - [DeFiHackLabs](https://github.com/SunWeb3Sec/DeFiHackLabs): Web3 security community that has grown to over 4,000 members, including 292 white hats from around the world. Previously they have organized the [Ethereum & Web3 Security Bootcamp](https://defihacklabs.io/bootcamp/index.html). The founder of DeFiHackLabs is [SunSec](https://x.com/1nf0s3cpt), a respected hacker and CISO. - [XueDAO](https://www.xuedao.xyz/): A community in Taiwan focused on student developers and led by students. The Contributor Team of XueDAO currently includes students from 12 universities globally. Changwu and Martinet from ETHTaipei are mentoring students and supporting them to attend global Ethereum hackathons. ## Ethereum and related startups - DeFi - [Furucombo](https://furucombo.app/): multi-chain DeFi aggregator: - [Perpetual Protocol](https://perp.com/): decentralized perpetual futures exchange built on Optimism: - [Zomma Protocol](https://zomma.pro/): DeFi Options Protocol on zkSync Era and Arbitrum: - [Teahouse Finance](https://teahouse.finance/): multi-strategy DeFi asset management platform: - [WooFi](https://woofi.com/about): multi-chain DEX: - [XY Protocol](https://xy.finance/): multi-chain DEX aggregator and bridge: - Creator economy - [Matters Lab](https://matters-lab.io/): a Web3 social media ecosystem, where you can publish blogs on [Matters.Town](https://matters.town). - Wallet - Most of Taiwanese use Metamask and Rabby, followed by imToken. Some of them use local hardware wallet like [CoolWallet](https://www.coolwallet.io). - Venture capital and accelerator - [Sudo Research](https://sudoresearch.com/): crypto trading house and venture capital firm founded in 2017. - [AppWorks](https://appworks.tw/): offers startup support via Accelerator, Funds, and School programs. - Builders who do not work for Taiwanese companies are shining on the global stage, including companies like Ethereum Foundation, Quantstam, imToken, various L2s... ## Ethereum users - As observed, most users prefer MetaMask and Rabby wallet over local wallet options. - For on-ramp and off-ramp services, the majority of users rely on [MAX](https://max.maicoin.com/) and [BitoPro](https://www.bitopro.com/) - When it comes to centralized exchange trading, most users select Binance and OKX due to their wide variety of trading pairs. ## Web2 and Web3 developers ### 1. Developers  _Source: [innovationgraph from Github](https://innovationgraph.github.com/global-metrics/developers)_ Taiwan has more than 1.27 million developers, with many top talents gravitating toward semiconductor giants like TSMC, manufacturing leaders like Foxconn, and chip designers like MediaTek. These companies provide abundant job opportunities for graduates, while web3 positions remain comparatively limited on the island. ### 2. Ethereum devs - Core devs & researchers: Taiwan has produced exceptional builders like Hsiao-Wei Wang from Taipei, who served as Consensus R&D team lead at Ethereum Foundation and now works as a managing director at the Ethereum Foundation. - DApp Ecosystem: There are a good amount of Ethereum startups in Taiwan, mainly working in the DeFi and asset management space. ## University & Blockchain Clubs - [Prof. Gong Chen](https://mis2.nccu.edu.tw/zh_tw/Faculty/Faculty_01/%E9%99%B3-%E6%81%AD-8231181), National Chengchi University, Department of Management Information systems. - Course: [Ethereum Smart Contract Development](https://mis2.nccu.edu.tw/zh_tw/Faculty/Faculty_01/%E9%99%B3-%E6%81%AD-8231181) and General blockchain related courses. - [Prof. Yu-Chi Chen](https://www-en.ntut.edu.tw/), National Taipei University of Technology, Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering - Course: Cryptography and Privacy - [Prof. Lo-Yao Yeh](https://sites.google.com/site/yehloyao/home), National Central University - Course: Cryptography and Its Applications - [Martinet Lee](https://x.com/martinetlee), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Institute of Network Engineering - Course: [Blockchain Development and Fintech](https://timetable.nycu.edu.tw/) - Blockchain Clubs: Almost all top universities in Taiwan have blockchain clubs, including National Chengchi University (NCCU), National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST), and National Taiwan University (NTU). These clubs are typically chain-agnostic and primarily focus on DeFi applications. ## Media - [區塊勢 Blocktrend](https://www.blocktrend.today): One of the best crypto media outlets that often covers developments in the Ethereum ecosystem. Founder 許明恩 (Astro Hsu) began his journey as an Ethereum miner and has contributed to the Taipei Ethereum Meetup Facebook page. - [Taipei Ethereum Meetup Medium Page](https://medium.com/taipei-ethereum-meetup): A community-owned technical column covering everything about Ethereum. Maintained by [Nic Lin](https://medium.com/@twedusuck) and Bing. - [ETHTaipei <> TEM substack](https://ethtaipeixtem.substack.com): TEM and ETHTaipei now runs a publication on Substack summarizing local meetup topics & Ethereum news. - There are also other general crypto media outlets such as [CryptoCity](https://cryptocity.tw/), [ABMedia](https://abmedia.io/), [web3plus](https://web3plus.bnext.com.tw/), [blocktempo](https://www.blocktempo.com/), [zombit](https://zombit.info/), etc. ## Blockchain Ecosystem Mapping - [Taiwan blockchain ecosystem mapping](https://taiwan.blocktempo.com) by BlockTempo, AppWorks, TempoX - [Taiwan Blockchain Industry Report and Ecosystem Map](https://map.bcda.tw#introduction) hosted by "Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Development Association" and co-organized by HOYA BIT, BSTYLE, KryptoGO and Starbit ## Further reading - [Is Taiwan Still Becoming a Blockchain Island?](https://reports.tiger-research.com/p/2024-taiwan-overview-eng)) - [BLOCKCHAIN & CRYPTOCURRENCY LAWS AND REGULATIONS 2025 – TAIWAN](https://www.globallegalinsights.com/practice-areas/blockchain-cryptocurrency-laws-and-regulations/taiwan/) - [Taiwan's digital revolution: Healing polarization and strengthening democracy](https://www.hbs.edu/bigs/taiwans-digital-revolution-audrey-tang?utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com)
Local Ethereum #2
## February 2025 Roundup 🌍 > The story of Ethereum is a story of geography. Ethereum is a global network and a global movement. It is local nodes spread around the world that give rise to the phenomenon that is Ethereum. As such Ethereum is deeply rooted in geography. > > From local ETH communities and meetups to universities, from developers to startups, from policy to user adoption and more, **Local Ethereum** is a newsletter to cover the geo-story of Ethereum. Let’s start!  _Artist: [Liam Cobb](https://liamcobb.com/)_ ## Asia 🌊 ### India - Blockchain Society at Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee has organized a great Ethereum Hackathon - [STACK TOO DEEP V 2.0](https://stacktoodeep-v2.devfolio.co/projects) in Feb. Check out their team [members](https://blocsoc.iitr.ac.in/team) if you are hiring. Many of them have landed an internship/ job in the Ethereum ecosystem. - International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIITH) - Just organized a [5-Day National Workshop on Ethereum](https://nwbcsb2025.iiit.ac.in/) (1st - 5th March, 2025); - Prof. Anikit is teaching an [Ethereum and Web3 Development course at IIITH](https://ciaoankit.github.io/teaching.html). If you are interested in Ethereum, please join. ### Malaysia - Etherscan, a Malaysia-based blockchain explorer, has an excellent [Ethereum weekly newsletter](https://info.etherscan.com/newsletter/b57.html)! - [ETHKL](https://x.com/ETHKL1) is actively organizing monthly meetups. ### Mainland China - Check out [zkpunk](https://cryptowars.zkpunk.pro/0-preface.html)'s recent CN translation of "[Crypto Wars](https://cryptowars.zkpunk.pro/0-preface.html)" if you're into cryptography. The book "Crypto Wars: The Fight for Privacy in the Digital Age: A Political History of Digital Encryption" by Cris Jarvis explores the history of digital encryption. ### Taiwan - If you still haven't booked your tickets to the ETHTaipei conference (1st-2nd April, 2025) and ETHGlobal Hackathon (4th-6th April, 2025), it's time! The [ETHTaipei conference](https://ethtaipei.org) this year covers Ethereum's upcoming upgrade and DeFi. - [COSCUP](https://coscup.org/2024/en/), one of the best open source events in Asia, has opened its early bird [Call for Proposals](https://pretalx.coscup.org/coscup-2025/?_gl=1*mblh0f*_ga*MTk5NTgzNDkzOC4xNzQwNDk0NzQ2*_ga_C9EMTMDSS1*MTc0MDk5NDA0MC4zLjEuMTc0MDk5NDA4Mi4wLjAuMA..) for those interested in open source, free software and decentralized systems. ### Hong Kong - [UETH](https://x.com/deUETH) and ETHDimsum are cooking up some exciting initiatives focused on cross-L2 interoperability and Account Abstraction topics during the Hong Kong Web3 Festival (April 6-9, 2025). Stay tuned! ### Japan - Japan to join global framework to monitor crypto trades in 2027. - Sony’s Ethereum L2 Soneium launched a [music NFT collection](https://soneium.org/en/blog/sblox-mints-ghost-in-the-shell-on-soneium/). - Umazuki, an Ethereum research house, provides a recent [update](https://uzumaki.house/activity/197d05af-0d5a-806b-ab2f-d0ac85b59196): Gohan's paper 'Benchmarking zkVMs: Efficiency, Bottlenecks, and Best Practices' has been accepted at the [ZKProof7](https://zkproof.org/events/zkproof-7-sofia/) workshop. - World Expo, [Blockchain Pavilion](https://x.com/web25_world/status/1884151580754391219) (10th May - 3rd June), Osaka. ### North Korea - The North Korean hacking group [Lazarus Group was responsible for](https://x.com/zachxbt/status/1893211577836302365) the [February 21 cyberattack](https://x.com/Bybit_Official/status/1892965292931702929) on Bybit exchange, which resulted in the theft of $1.5 billion worth of crypto assets. Learn more [here](http://Lazarusbounty.com), and [here](https://slowmist.medium.com/cryptocurrency-apt-intelligence-unveiling-lazarus-groups-intrusion-techniques-a1a6efda7d34). ### Kazakhstan - [Black Ice Hacker Space](https://wiki.hackerspaces.org/Black_Ice) is active in organizing Ethereum Days meetups, covering Ethereum and security. ### Dubai - The Dark Side of Memecoins: [Dubai Regulator Warns](https://news.bitcoin.com/the-dark-side-of-memecoins-dubai-regulator-warns-of-market-manipulation-and-scam-projects/) of Market Manipulation and Scam Projects. ## Europe 🏰 ### Germany - [Protocol Berg v2](https://x.com/protocol_berg), the decentralized protocol and infrastructure conference, [has opened its application for volunteers](https://x.com/protocol_berg/status/1888991386910794222). - If you are based in Berlin, check out Berlin [Ethereum Meetup](https://www.meetup.com/berlin-ethereum-meetup/) and learn more about Remix. ### Switzerland - The [Ethereum Foundation](https://x.com/ethereumfndn/status/1895851576251826227) welcomes [Hsiao-Wei Wang](https://x.com/hwwonx) and [Tomasz Stanczak](https://x.com/tkstanczak) as co-Executive Directors. - Aya Miyaguchi is closing the chapter as Executive Director of the Ethereum Foundation soon and [stepping into a new role](https://x.com/AyaMiyagotchi/status/1894422130462249185) as its President. - Crypto custodian BitGo is reportedly [mulling an IPO](https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitgo-mulls-ipo-2025-report). ### Ukraine - [Support Ukraine](https://x.com/VitalikButerin/status/1893912197736145251), and the [Ukrainian Ethereum community](https://x.com/ethereum_ua). - Crazy times, but the Ukrainian builders are preparing new meetups and new hackathons, stay tuned! - [W3I](https://w3i.network) is focused on fueling the digital economy in Ukraine by developing the Ethereum and Web3 space. They work in close collaboration with government, academia, and the private sector to support cooperation and adoption. ### Italy - Supported by [AKASHA Foundation](https://x.com/AKASHAorg) and [Mihai Alisie](https://x.com/MihaiAlisie), [urbe.ETH](https://x.com/urbeEth) opened [the first web3 hub in Rome](https://x.com/urbeEth/status/1891463889822289924). ### Sweden - Three master's students from [KTH](https://www.kth.se/en) are working on Ethereum research, thanks to Prof. Martin Monperrus. - Åryd, Viktor, [AST Differencing for Solidity](http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-359332); - Andersson Kasche, Gustav, [InvPurge: Reducing Invariant Noise with Logical Differencing](http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-359187); - Titouan, Forissier, [EVeilM: EVM Bytecode Obfuscation](http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-359674). ### Serbia - [ETHBelgrade is making history](https://x.com/ethbelgrade/status/1895443840519053462) - flying hackers & builders from ETHGlobal Prague to ETHBelgrade (Conference & Hackathon June 3rd - 8th, 2025), completely free. ### Poland - March 21-23: [AI x Crypto Spring Hack](https://x.com/ETHWarsaw/status/1895422562424725527), the hackathon and conference focused on AI agents in the EVM ecosystem organized by ETHWarsaw. ### Romania - Early Bird ETHCluj 2025 conference (June 26-28) tickets are now [available](https://x.com/ETHCluj/status/1891460430758830405)! ### Bulgaria - [ZKProof 7](https://zkproof.org/events/zkproof-7-sofia/) in Sofia, March 23-25, 2025. ZKProof is an initiative focused on the standardization of Zero-Knowledge Proofs. ## North America 🗽 ### United States - Trump said in a post on Truth Social that his January executive order on digital assets would create a [Crypto Strategic Reserve](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-cryptocurrency-strategic-reserve-includes-xrp-sol-ada-2025-03-02/) including BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL and ADA. - US Senator Hagerty introduced the [GENIUS Act](https://www.hagerty.senate.gov/press-releases/2025/02/04/hagerty-leads-legislation-to-establish-a-stablecoin-regulatory-framework/) to regulate stablecoins. - [The SEC acknowledged 21Shares’ filing to allow staking on its Ethereum ETF](https://x.com/WatcherGuru/status/1892352308710678635). - [Stablecoin issuer Tether reported $13b of profit in 2024](https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/01/30/tether-reports-usd13b-profit-for-2024-with-rising-bitcoin-gold-prices-contributing). - [Uniswap v4 is here](https://x.com/Uniswap/status/1885329579495080248). - Arbitrum's Offchain Labs introduced the [crosschain broadcaster](https://x.com/OffchainLabs/status/1892623329254646032) - A building block for trustless Ethereum interoperability. - [FTX to start $16b creditor repayment on Feb. 18, 2025](https://x.com/Cointelegraph/status/1889247573724000363). - UMA, Polymarket, and Eigenlayer announced a collaboration to [build the next generation of optimistic oracle](https://x.com/UMAprotocol/status/1892228537605672977). - [Danny Ryan’s interview at ETHDenver](https://x.com/iamDCinvestor/status/1896168774015041777) with [Austin Griffith](https://x.com/austingriffith). - [Danny Ryan is back](https://x.com/songadaymann/status/1896296593114202453) and [joined Etherealize as a cofounder to help onboard the world to Ethereum](https://x.com/dannyryan/status/1895851747865944114). ### Canada - [zkSummit13](https://zeroknowledge.fm/zksummit13/) is happening on May 12th, 2025 in Toronto, Canada. ## Latam 💃 ### Argentina - Everything you need to know about President Milei and the $LIBR scandal is [here](https://www.lanacion.com.ar/economia/IA/auge-y-derrumbe-6-horas-de-vertigo-minuto-a-minuto-como-se-gesto-el-escandalo-de-la-moneda-que-nid17022025/#/) and [here](https://www.forbesargentina.com/money/radiografia-desastre-cripto-afecto-milei-ganadores-perdedores-lanzamiento-libra-n67637). A bleak scenario: [most lost, few won](https://x.com/fergmolina/status/1891126301215355307). - Vitalik: [Argentina's Ethereum community is full of amazing builders](https://x.com/VitalikButerin/status/1892598319752355970). [Hosting Devconnect in Argentina could be a great opportunity to show the best of what crypto can offer](https://x.com/VitalikButerin/status/1892598322210521386). - [Ethereum Argentina Cordoba Edition](https://ethereumargentina.org) (April 12-13, 2025). ### Brazil - Brazilian stock exchange B3 revealed it will [introduce BTC options and ETH and SOL futures this year](https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/02/08/brazilian-stock-exchange-b3-reportedly-launching-bitcoin-options-eth-and-sol-futures). - [ETHLatam](https://x.com/ethlatam/status/1895122777876684808), one of the biggest ETH conferences in Latam is coming to Brazil. ### Costa Rica - [Invisible Garden Costa Rica](https://invisible.garden) edition Builder applications are open now! This 6-week pop-up dev city will bring together top builders to learn, build, and connect in Ethereum, ZKP, AI, and Cybersecurity. ## Africa 🦁 ### Nigeria - Nigeria’s Federal Internal Revenue Service sued Binance for [$81.5b in economic losses and back taxes](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/19/nigeria-binance-crypto-lawsuit). - [OnboardGlobal](https://x.com/OnboardGlobal) has been integrated into Coinbase Wallet to enable people to [onramp to crypto through P2P exchange](https://x.com/YeleBademosi/status/1894148367640662301), starting with Nigeria. - If you want to learn Solidity, it's still not too late to join [Web3Bridge's solidity course](https://www.web3bridgeafrica.com/register) next cohort. ### Ethiopia - [ETHiopia](https://x.com/ETHiopia____/status/1871576386340560970) organized its first pop-up city, ETH hackathon, and conference from January 21st–February 21st, 2025. ## Oceania 🏄 ### Australia - Brisbane-based Ethereum liquid staking protocol [Rocket Pool launched its Saturn devnet](https://x.com/langerstwit/status/1889183179992609051). - If you love Ethereum and are based in Australia, I highly recommend checking out BokkyPooBah's Ethereum Workshop Chat and [The Daily Gwei](https://x.com/thedailygwei). IYKYK. - [Ethereum Melbourne](https://x.com/ethmelbourne) organizes monthly meetup, [rsvp](https://ethmelbourne.co).
Local Ethereum #1
Welcome to the first Local Ethereum newsletter! ## 🌍 Beginning > The story of Ethereum is a story of geography. Ethereum is a global network and a global movement. It is local nodes spread around the world that give rise to the phenomenon that is Ethereum. As such Ethereum is deeply rooted in geography. > > From local ETH communities and meetups to universities, from developers to startups, from policy to user adoption and more, **Local Ethereum** is a newsletter to cover the geo-story of Ethereum. Let’s start!  _Artist: [Liam Cobb](https://liamcobb.com/)_ ## Asia 🌊 ### India - India [topped](https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/2024-global-crypto-adoption-index/) the [Chainalysis global cryptocurrency adoption ranking](https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/2024-global-crypto-adoption-index/) for a second year. - Indian Railways Embraces [Polygon NFTs](https://cointelegraph.com/news/indian-railways-nft-tickets-mahakumbh-mela) for MahaKumbh Tickets. - At [ETHIndia](https://ethindia2024.devfolio.co), Indians united to experience [quadratic voting](https://www.radicalxchange.org/wiki/quadratic-voting/) through the [Anon Aadhaar](https://pse.dev/en/projects/anon-aadhaar). - [The StackTooDeep Ethereum Hackathon 2025](https://stacktoodeep-v2.devfolio.co/projects), running from January 31st to February 2nd, was hosted by the [Blockchain Society](https://x.com/BlocSocIITR) of [IIT Roorkee](https://www.iitr.ac.in/), one of India's premier technical universities. - [ZuGrama](https://zugrama.org/), a 6-week pop-up village experiment in India inspired by Zuzalu, covers impact public goods, AI, cryptography, and more. ### Malaysia - [ETHKL](https://x.com/ETHKL1) meetup: [From Data to AI Agents - From Code to No-Code](https://www.meetup.com/ethmalaysia/events/305359758/?eventOrigin=group_past_events&utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-1). Jan 2025 - Scroll is doing a [builder program, online and then a residency in Kuala Lumpur](https://scroll.io/blog/scroll-open) from Jan 27th to March 17th, Malaysia. [Apply now](https://open.scroll.io/). ### China Mainland - [Dapp Learning](https://github.com/Dapp-Learning-DAO/Dapp-Learning), one of the best Ethereum dev community in mainland China - January Sharing: [Boundary Adaptation Automatic Market Maker Model](https://dapplearning.org/sharing/detail/222). - [Panta Rhei](https://x.com/0xpantarhei), an Ethereum research community focused on advancing the study of the Ethereum protocol and its ecosystem, held its January meetup: [Devcon SEA Continuum](https://x.com/0xpantarhei/status/1872613195464204603) on Ethereum roadmap and ZK tech. - [Deepseek AI](https://www.deepseek.com) shakes the market. ### Taiwan - [Digital Ministry Launches Taiwan's Own DID](https://moda.gov.tw/press/multimedia/blog/10279), further reading: [Digital Ministry Launches Taiwan's Version of DID](https://mirror.xyz/0x36F322fC85B24aB13263CFE9217B28f8E2b38381/0-9a4xYe8L25JeYLJfF5I09Ppgk74nP4qc6d8J3-lF4) (EN), [數位部提出台版 DID](https://www.blocktrend.today/p/590) (CN). - [Community Privacy Residency](https://community-privacy.github.io/) (2025), a 2-4 week residency focused on researching, co-designing, prototyping, and building open-source applications for community privacy, with emphasis on Applications for Vulnerable Communities, Community Co-Design, and Privacy Infrastructure. - [Taipei Ethereum](https://www.meetup.com/taipei-ethereum-meetup/) Jan meetup, [From zkEVM to zkVM](https://lu.ma/dl50xhsy). - You can now buy [ETHTaipei 2025 tickets](https://x.com/EthTaipei/status/1881288061386207613). ### Hong Kong - Hong Kong Monetary Authority [announced](https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/news-and-media/press-releases/2025/01/20250108-3/) that the ‘supervisory incubator’ is designed to help banks manage the risks associated with experimenting with blockchain or DLT implementation. ### Japan - [Titania Research](https://titaniaresear.ch/) and the local ZK community have launched Uzumaki, [the first Ethereum research house in Tokyo, Japan](https://uzumaki.house/). - Sony’s Ethereum Layer-2 Blockchain '[Soneium](https://soneium.org/en/)' [Goes Live](https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2025/01/13/sony-s-layer-2-blockchain-soneium-goes-live). Soneium leverages the OP Stack and Superchain architecture. ### South Korea - [Lotte Group](https://www.lotte.co.kr), South Korea's retail giant, [deepens ties with Arbitrum](https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2025/01/07/south-korea-s-giant-lotte-group-taps-arbitrum-for-its-metaverse-platform), enabling crypto payments for its services. - At [KAIST](https://www.kaist.ac.kr/en/), one of Korea's leading technology universities, the [CS496](https://github.com/wanseob/kaist-cs496-2023-fall) course combines Ethereum, cryptography and advanced mathematics for ambitious students. ### Singapore - [Singapore Blocks Polymarket](https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2025/01/13/singapore-blocks-polymarket-following-taiwan-and-france), Following Taiwan and France. ### Vietnam - Vietnam, a country ranked 5th in Chainalysis’ 2024 global crypto adoption index, [plans to include crypto and digital asset exchanges in a fintech sandbox](https://vnexpress.net/de-xuat-thu-nghiem-san-giao-dich-tien-so-tai-trung-tam-tai-chinh-4837314.html) for its new financial centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, pending approval in mid-2025. ### Kazakhstan - Almaty, [Ethereum security mini hackathon at BlackIce hacker space](https://t.me/blackicehackerspace/83) took place from 25th to 26th Jan 2025. ### Bhutan - Bhutan‘s new special administration region, Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) has [announced](https://gmc.bt/digitalassets/) that it will [acknowledge digital assets like BTC, ETH as part of their strategic reserves](https://news.bitcoin.com/bhutans-gmc-adopts-bitcoin-and-other-digital-assets-in-citys-strategic-reserves/). ### Iran - [DeCaffeth Meetup #4](https://github.com/DeCaffeth/DeCaffeth/tree/main/Meetup%234) brought together Iran’s Ethereum developers, security researchers, and community builders to explore key topics shaping the Ethereum ecosystem and beyond. ## Europe 🏰 ### Germany - [Deutsche Bank is using zkSync to build their own rollup](https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2024/12/18/deutsche-banks-l2-blockchain-to-be-public-and-permissioned-says-tech-partner.). Further reading: [The details of the Deutsche Bank Layer-2 (DE)](https://blockstories.beehiiv.com/p/die-details-zur-deutschen-bank-layer-2). - [Protocol Berg v2](https://x.com/protocol_berg): A decentralized protocol and infrastructure conference organized by the Department of Decentralization (DoD) - [Call for Papers](https://cfp.protocol.berlin/protocol-berg-v2/cfp). ### Switzerland - Swiss Bank [PostFinance](https://www.postfinance.ch) [Launches](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-16/swiss-state-owned-bank-postfinance-expands-in-crypto-with-ethereum-staking) ETH Staking. - UBS [tests](https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2025/01/31/ubs-tests-zksync-s-layer-2-tech-showing-deeper-tradfi-interest-in-crypto) zkSync's layer-2 technology to explore if it could scale its current Key4 Gold program. - [Ethereum Zurich](https://x.com/EthereumZurich), organized by UZH Blockchain Center and DuctTape Events, took place from January 30-31, 2025. ### Ukraine - [The ETHKyiv Impulse Hackathon](https://lu.ma/d3699b52) begins on February 1st, 2025, offering $20,000 in prizes. It’s organized by the amazing [ETHKyiv](https://x.com/ethkyiv_ua) team. - Ukraine set to legalize cryptocurrency in early 2025, [without tax breaks](https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/12/12/7488775/). - Valeriia Panina, a Next Billion Fellow, [studied](https://uadoption.super.site/) how everyday Ukrainians adopt cryptocurrencies and blockchain apps, mapping their use cases and behaviors. ### Italy - Italy’s largest bank [Intesa](https://group.intesasanpaolo.com/en/) makes [first spot bitcoin purchase](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-14/italy-s-largest-bank-intesa-makes-first-spot-bitcoin-purchase). - [NapulETH](https://www.napuleth.org) and the [University of Naples Federico II](http://www.unina.it/home) are exploring a [master's program in blockchain development](https://www.docenti.unina.it/). ### Sweden - Recent Ethereum-related research from KTH Royal Institute of Technology: 1) [Geth Rebuild: Verifiable Builds for Go Ethereum](https://kth.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A1908608&dswid=-5900&utm_source=localethereum.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=local-ethereum-1); 2) [Proving and Rewarding Client Diversity to Strengthen Resilience of Blockchain Networks](https://arxiv.org/pdf/2411.18401). ### Netherlands - Netherlands’ third-largest bank [ABN AMRO](https://www.abnamro.com/en/home) [pilots](https://crypto.news/netherlands-third-largest-bank-abn-amro-pilots-tokenized-trading-on-ethereum/) tokenized trading on Ethereum. ### Serbia - [ETH Belgrade](https://x.com/ethbelgrade), one of the strongest communities in the Balkans, launched [ETH Belgrade University](https://x.com/ethbelgrade/status/1880338113098314063), focusing on Zero Knowledge, Web3 security, and Solidity. ### Poland - [ETHWarsaw](https://x.com/ETHWarsaw) [meetup](https://x.com/ETHWarsaw/status/1879499556171272327) on blockchain oracles, Jan 2025. ### Romania - [ETHCluj](https://x.com/ETHCluj) [meetup](https://www.meetup.com/ethcluj/events/305916385/): 1) Features for Experienced Developers in Remix IDE; 2) Scaling Ethereum: A Deep Dive into the L2 Landscape, Jan 2025. - ETHCluj 2025 conference tickets are out now! [Buy Now](https://x.com/ETHCluj/status/1884521310795018265). --- ### North America 🗽 #### United States - [Etherealize](https://x.com/Etherealize_io), [launched](https://x.com/Etherealize_io/status/1882213980858642599) in January 2025, is an institutional marketing and product arm for the Ethereum ecosystem. - The SEC [approved](https://www.theblock.co/post/338136/us-sec-approves-bitwises-combined-bitcoin-and-ethereum-etf) Bitwise’s filing for a Bitcoin-Ethereum ETF. - Gary Gensler, the former SEC Chair, returned to MIT to teach—where he had previously led the popular ‘[Blockchain and Money](https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/15-s12-blockchain-and-money-fall-2018/)’ course. - Glad to hear of [Ross Ulbrict's pardon](https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/why-trump-freed-ross-ulbricht-the-silk-roads-dread-pirate-roberts) and we are [actively seeking](https://x.com/aurbelis/status/1882059770879672613) the same relief for [Virgil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgil_Griffith). - Another court orders treasury to [lift Tornado Cash sanctions](https://decrypt.co/302241/court-tornado-cash-sanctions). - The Crypto and Blockchain Economics Research (CBER) Forum, [Call For Papers](https://www.cber-forum.org/submit). --- ### Latam 💃 #### Argentina - The city of Buenos Aires has created [300k DIDs](https://x.com/fernandezdiego/status/1876755689525141661) using [Quark ID](http://quarkid.org) and zkSync. - It is estimated that about [19%](https://economis.com.ar/argentina-lider-en-adopcion-cripto-en-america-latina/) of the Argentine population uses some cryptocurrency, that is, 8.6 million people. - [Ripio](https://www.ripio.com/en), one of Argentina's exchanges, [integrated](https://x.com/RipioApp/status/1876691096803102948) with zkSync Elastic for their LaChain. - [ETHKipu](https://x.com/ETHKipu), an active Ethereum community from Latin America, has shared their [2024 annual report](https://x.com/ETHKipu/status/1876986037047529849). - [Aleph](https://aleph.crecimiento.build) returns with a four-week pop-up city, featuring bootcamps, a hackathon, AI tracks, and more. #### Brazil - [ERC55](https://lu.ma/user/erc55), a local Ethereum dev community, is organizing regular meetups. - [Modular Carnival](https://www.modularcarnival.xyz/), a crypto hackathon and conference in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil, will be hosted from February 26 - March 1, 2025. #### Honduras - [Ethereum TGU](https://x.com/ethereumTGU_), a local community active since 2018, recently released their [Q4 2024 update](https://ethereumtgu.com/q4-%F0%9F%8C%9F). --- ### Africa 🦁 #### Nigeria - Over half the population in Nigeria ([84%](https://consensys.io/insight-report/web3-and-crypto-global-survey)) report owning a crypto wallet in 2024 according to the annual multi-country web3 perception survey conducted by Consensys and YouGov. #### Kenya - Kenya prepares to [legalize cryptocurrencies](https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2025/01/10/kenya-prepares-to-legalize-cryptocurrencies-in-policy-shift-report) in policy shift. - [Magma](https://borderless.africa/magma): A two-week in-person residency for Africa’s top founders. April 2025 in Kenya. #### Zambia - [Summitshare](https://summitshare.co/blog/rkAQd7hB1l) launches "The Leading Ladies of Zambia" virtual exhibit, a project led by [Next Billion](https://nxbn.ethereum.foundation) Fellow [Mulenga Kapwepwe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulenga_Kapwepwe). #### Egypt - Blokkat's [Arabic Blockchain Developer Bootcamp](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/blokkat_arabicabrblockchainabrdeveloperabrbootcamp-activity-7290758843511246849-SoOV) offers a 12-week online course in Ethereum development, from basics to Zero Knowledge, with hands-on projects and job connections. --- ### Oceania 🏄 #### Australia - [Immutable](https://www.immutable.com/), a Sydney-based Ethereum L2 for NFTs and blockchain gaming, [has signed 500+ games and is now at 1.8M MAU](https://x.com/aulijk/status/1881121749301157888). - Melbourne, [Ethereum Melbourne](https://ethmelbourne.co/) Jan meetup, [7702 Workshop: Odyssey chapter 1 reading club](https://lu.ma/event/manage/evt-scAne0KS8kUMMwm) at 29th Jan 2025.