The growth and evolution of cryptocurrency and Web3 are deeply rooted in community-driven innovation. At the heart of this movement lies a powerful truth: sustainable progress emerges not from centralized institutions, but from vibrant, collaborative ecosystems. This belief is central to the mission of OKX Ventures, a forward-thinking investment arm dedicated to nurturing the future of decentralized technologies.
On September 11, Jeff Ren, Partner at OKX Ventures, took the stage at the Schelling Point Conference in Singapore—a pivotal event co-hosted by Gitcoin, OKX Ventures, BlockBooster, and CollegeDAO. Joined by Azeem Khan of Gitcoin, Jeff engaged in a dynamic dialogue centered on community building, ecosystem development, and the strategic collaboration between East and West in advancing Web3.
The Significance of Schelling Point Coming to Asia
Schelling Point has long been a cornerstone gathering during Ethereum-focused events, known for its emphasis on public goods, open-source collaboration, and decentralized governance. However, despite its global influence, the conference had never before been held in Asia—until now.
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This landmark edition marked a turning point: a deliberate effort to bridge geographical and cultural divides within the blockchain space. By hosting the event in Singapore, organizers signaled a strategic shift toward inclusivity, aiming to amplify underrepresented voices—particularly those from Asian developer communities—who are increasingly driving technological breakthroughs.
Community as the Foundation of Web3 Growth
Jeff Ren emphasized that community isn’t just an add-on—it’s the foundation. “The strength of crypto and Web3 comes from the people who build, contribute, and participate,” he said. “That’s why ecosystem development isn’t just important; it’s essential.”
OKX and OKX Ventures have embedded this philosophy into their core operations. From funding grassroots projects to supporting open-source developers, their approach reflects a deep commitment to empowering builders across borders and backgrounds.
At its core, OKX Ventures focuses on three key areas:
- Funding Web3 innovators worldwide, especially early-stage teams tackling real-world challenges.
- Supporting public goods that benefit the broader ecosystem, such as infrastructure tools, educational platforms, and decentralized identity solutions.
- Fostering cross-regional collaboration, particularly between Western initiatives like Gitcoin and emerging Asian talent pools.
This dual focus—amplifying Asian builders while introducing global movements like Gitcoin to new markets—creates a powerful feedback loop of innovation and adoption.
Bridging East and West: The OKX Ventures x Gitcoin Partnership
One of the most compelling aspects of Jeff’s discussion was the growing synergy between OKX Ventures and Gitcoin. Their partnership exemplifies how strategic alliances can accelerate ecosystem growth across continents.
Gitcoin, widely recognized for pioneering quadratic funding and supporting open-source projects, represents a model of decentralized community engagement. By aligning with Gitcoin’s values, OKX Ventures aims to bring this spirit of inclusive funding and transparent governance to Asia—where developer energy is high but access to global funding mechanisms remains limited.
Their collaboration has already yielded tangible results:
- In April, OKX Ventures co-hosted dual hackathons with Gitcoin and Blockbooster in San Jose and Hong Kong, attracting hundreds of developers building solutions across DeFi, NFTs, and climate tech.
- In May, they hosted an AMA (Ask Me Anything) session inviting the community to participate in Gitcoin’s fundraising round—an effort to democratize access to investment opportunities.
- By August, OKX Ventures officially joined the Gitcoin Guardian Council, a decentralized governance body responsible for overseeing protocol upgrades and fund allocation.
These milestones underscore a shared vision: creating open pathways for builders everywhere to contribute meaningfully to Web3’s evolution.
Investing in the Future: Supporting Layer2 and Beyond
Beyond community initiatives, OKX Ventures is actively shaping the technical landscape through strategic investments. True to its Ethereum-aligned ethos, the firm has backed several groundbreaking Layer2 scaling solutions, including:
- Scroll – A zkEVM-based scaling project focused on Ethereum compatibility.
- Starkware – Pioneers of STARK technology enabling high-throughput, low-cost transactions.
- zkSync – A user-centric zk-rollup platform advancing account abstraction and privacy.
- Taiko – A decentralized ZK-Rollup aiming for full EVM equivalence.
These investments reflect more than financial interest—they represent a commitment to solving critical pain points in Web3: user experience, security, and true decentralization. By supporting projects that make blockchain more accessible and efficient, OKX Ventures helps translate visionary ideas into scalable realities.
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FAQ: Understanding OKX Ventures’ Role in Web3 Ecosystem Development
Q: What is OKX Ventures’ primary focus in the Web3 space?
A: OKX Ventures focuses on funding innovative Web3 projects, supporting public goods, and strengthening global developer communities—with a special emphasis on connecting Asian builders with international ecosystems.
Q: Why is community so important in Web3 development?
A: Unlike traditional tech models, Web3 thrives on decentralization and collective ownership. Communities drive adoption, governance, and innovation—making them essential for long-term sustainability.
Q: How does OKX Ventures support developers in Asia?
A: Through hackathons, grants, educational programs, and strategic partnerships like the one with Gitcoin, OKX Ventures provides Asian developers with funding, visibility, and access to global networks.
Q: What does ‘Gitcoin spirit’ mean in practice?
A: It refers to a model of community-led funding and open participation—using mechanisms like quadratic funding to ensure small contributors have outsized impact, promoting fairness and inclusivity.
Q: Is OKX Ventures only focused on Ethereum-based projects?
A: While Ethereum remains a core focus due to its robust developer ecosystem and alignment with decentralization principles, OKX Ventures also evaluates high-potential projects across interoperable chains and emerging infrastructures.
Q: How can builders get involved with OKX Ventures?
A: Developers can participate in co-hosted events like hackathons, apply for grants, or engage via community AMAs and governance forums such as the Gitcoin Guardian Council.
A Vision for Inclusive Innovation
As Web3 continues to mature, the need for cross-cultural collaboration has never been greater. Jeff Ren’s vision—articulated clearly at Schelling Point—is not about dominance or regional superiority, but about balance, inclusion, and shared progress.
By elevating Asian voices without overshadowing global movements, and by importing proven models like Gitcoin’s funding mechanisms into new contexts, OKX Ventures is helping build a more equitable digital future.
👉 Join the movement shaping the next era of the internet.
This isn’t just about technology—it’s about people. It’s about ensuring that whether you’re coding in Bangalore, Seoul, or Jakarta, your contribution matters. And with continued investment in communities, infrastructure, and cross-border partnerships, the dream of a truly decentralized web moves one step closer to reality.
Keywords: OKX Ventures, Web3 ecosystem, community building, Asian builders, Gitcoin partnership, Layer2 projects, decentralized innovation