Whitewater Labs

We're excited to host Whitewater Labs Seoul Pub Social during @kbwofficial at Sam Ryan's Itaewon with @orbs_network , @plumenetwork , @atdawn_io , and +50 Partners in #Web3 ! Feel free to sign-up and meet our team in Korea🔽 lu.ma/s4bfycm2

See you all in @EthereumDenver !

Kicking off 2025, let's join James, Joanna, and @DFG__Official 's and @JSquare_co 's exceptional portfolio companies to dive into the future of the Web3 market! Gain exclusive insights from VC and project perspectives—what innovations will emerge at this intersection? Don’t miss this must-attend space! ⏰ 10:00 PM UTC+8, January 16, 2025 🔗 x.com/i/spaces/1brkj…

🧑‍🎄 @StakeStone_KR X @MantaNetwork_KR Seoul Connect #2 Wrap-up 어제 열린 StakeStone X Manta Seoul Connect #2에 함께해 주신 모든 분들께 진심으로 감사드립니다! 이번 행사는 다양한 업계 리더들과 함께 2025년을 향한 비전을 공유하고, 성장의 기회를 논의할 수 있었던 뜻깊은 자리였습니다! 국내외 Web3 생태계를 이끄는 거래소, DeFi 프로젝트, 프로토콜, 메인넷, 그리고 KOL들과의 교류를 통해 많은 인사이트를 얻을 수 있었습니다. StakeStone은 앞으로도 Manta Network와 함께 더욱 발전하는 모습을 보여드리겠습니다! 지원해주신 Manta Network에 감사드리며 @MantaNetwork 지속적인 성장과 발전을 응원하겠습니다! 다가오는 2025년에도 한국에서 다시 여러분과 만나 뵐 날을 기대하며, 지속적인 관심과 응원 부탁드립니다! 함께 해주신 @tokenpostkr 와 @Whitewater_Labs 에 깊은 감사를 전합니다! 🙌 메리 크리스마스, 그리고 행복한 새해 되세요! 다시 한 번 감사드립니다!🎄

💡 Meet top-tier speakers like @_RichardTeng , @shayne_coplan , @calilyliu , @adam3us and explore the future of Web3 😎 #Binance #Solana #Polymarket #Blockstream

🚀 Excited to announce joining @consensus_hk as a community partner, introducing Korean communities to this global event! 📷 Don’t miss out—use our exclusive discount code to join 🔽 go.coindesk.com/whitewaterlabs #Consensus #BTC #ETH #Community #Web3

💰ANNOUNCING SPONSORS OF THE NEW WORLD🌍 As we embark on an adventure to launching VC-backed $GABBY as fair as memes – through #FairRelease... Farewelling low-float high-FDV... We're proud to announce $2M backing @ $20M valuation by 13 Visionary VCs & 8 Audacious Angels 👇

2/ 🎉 Korea Nightopia - Official KBW Opening Party powered by RaveDAO & @The_Delysium 🎉 Big love to our Title Partner @The_Delysium and our amazing cohosts: @arpaofficial, @tomo_social, @FACTBLOCK, @Compute_Labs. 💥 Plus, a huge shoutout to our event supporters and media partners—y’all made this night shine: 🌷 Event Supporters: @moongate, @taikoxyz, @ethsign, @whyanelephant, @DODO_chain, @BellaProtocol, @inkfinance, @four_meme_, @hashed_official. 📺 Media Partners: @BlockBeatsAsia, @OdailyChina, @ChainCatcher_, @Foresight_News, @Cointime_CN, @MetaEraHK, @tokenpost, @lookonchain, @TechFlowPost, @Whitewater_Labs, @w3bglobal. #KoreaNightopia #KBW

We’re excited to support @KIPprotocol at #Token2049 ! Register Now👇 lu.ma/KIP_TokenUpris…

@ahboyash 👍

How should project founders approach the Korean market? 🇰🇷 - - - - - - - - - - - - Korea, with crypto exchanges that processed a staggering US$2 billion in trading volume, presents a unique opportunity for projects. Having had the chance to connect with local stakeholders at this year’s @kbwofficial conference, I’ve distilled key insights to help guide your approach. Content breakdown: • Korean ecosystem landscape • Planning a marketing campaign • Understanding Korean retails • Misc. Save this guide! 🔖 - - - - - - - - - - - - 1. Korean ecosystem landscape This portion covers the local ecosystem including CEXs, media, research and consulting, investments, projects and KOLs. According to several sources, about 10-15% (6-9 million) Koreans use CEXes to trade! a) CEXes There are 3 main CEXes in Korea (Upbit, BitThumb and Coinone), with Upbit and BitThumb taking 95% of the market share. An interesting fact is that all are linked to individual banks for off/on ramps: • UpBit <> KBank • BitThumb <> Nonghyup Bank • Coinone <> KakaoBank Within each CEX, the highest trading volume is with KRW and that is what most projects should strive to get the listing pair for their token. I realised local CEXes enjoy so much trading volume because: • Local gambling culture* and strong buying power of Korean retail • Koreans do not like self custody, so they prefer to trade on CEX instead • Koreans view crypto as a speculative asset class (similar to stocks) with hyped narratives rather than in the pure fundamentals (e.g. association with big names such as Ondo <> Blackrock, Doge <> Elon Musk) *After speaking to some folks, I would say this is a dark side of Korea as current conditions (soaring real estate market, low wages, weak stock market and monopolistic nature of the economy) forces people to hyper-gamble their way out of poverty in hopes of making it. b) Media The language barrier in Korea often leads users to rely heavily on local publishing houses for the latest news and updates. In addition to @official_naver’s blog, prominent media outlets include @eBlockmedia, @CoinnessGL, @bloomingbit_io, @FACTBLOCK and @tokenpostkr. For non-Korean projects, directly engaging with these media companies can be challenging and that's where the next stakeholder will be useful. c) Research and Consulting Korea boasts a thriving ecosystem of research and consulting firms, many of which serve as intermediaries between projects and users, as well as between international projects and Korean audiences. For a successful Korean go-to-market strategy, partnering with a reputable firm is essential. I've categorised them into two primary groups: i. Advisory • @Xangle_official • @DeSpreadTeam • @0xundefined_ • @INF_CryptoLab • @Edward__Park • @EncodingLabs • @Whitewater_Labs • @071_labs ii. Research @FourPillarsFP @Tiger_Research_ Identifying the objective makes it easier for founders to choose a firm to use, for example: • For connections to Korean institutions: @Xangle_official • Get connected with Korean builders + increase research exposure: @FourPillarsFP • To target degens/retails users: @DeSpreadTeam • To stay up to date with local regulations: @Tiger_Research_ d) Investments The capital market in Korea is not very huge, with only a few key players which can be segregated into 2 groups: i. Venture Funds • @hashed_official • @nonceclassic • @LECCAVentures • @blocore_vc • @ROKCapital • @SamsungNext ii. Market Makers (MMs) • @presto_labs • @alphanonce • @hyperithm *Do note that because of regulations, MMs cannot open a corporate account in Korean CEXes e) Projects • DeFi: @MitosisOrg, @keplrwallet, @Exponents_Fi • Ecosystems: @KaiaChain, @initiaFDN, @StoryProtocol • Gaming: @delabsOfficial, @WemixNetwork, @MaplestoryU • Validators: @dsrvlabs, @a41_allforone *I am obviously missing a lot more, pls do not kill me 🥹 f) KOLs • @Edward__Park • @kimyg002 • @0xProfessorJo • @delucinator • @CryptoMyhobby • @morbid19 - - - - - - - - - - - - 2. Planning a marketing campaign Many projects aspire to enter the Korean market, lured by the substantial trading volumes and purchasing power of Korean retail investors. However, this narrow-minded approach is disrespectful to Korean participants, who are not easily manipulated for exit liquidity. Korean degens are cautious and much more educated, especially after the Terra Luna/Anchor events. Koreans value transparency in marketing and intentions. Projects with charismatic yet humble founders who inspire trust, similar to the impact of cults or religions in Korean culture, are likely to attract a significant following. Before targeting the Korean market, develop a comprehensive marketing plan that: • Has a clear KPI • Consist of actionable items for users • Builds a clear roadmap ahead (pre and post TGE plans) A simple marketing campaign can go like this: define marketing objectives with clear actions for users → work with media houses and consulting firms for SEO optimisation + have Korean translated research reports → plan out a KOL campaign for amplification. Most marketing strategies will not no longer suffice in the saturated market. Korean investors are increasingly weary of endless questing campaigns and token/node sales. To stand out, think creatively and offer genuine value, such as compelling incentives or opportunities for financial gain. - - - - - - - - - - - - 3. Understanding Korean retails It is no secret that Koreans are trendsetters and avid followers of the latest hype, as evidenced by their vibrant fashion scene, obsession with luxury brands, and unwavering devotion to K-Pop. This means that projects must continually refresh their marketing materials and present innovative, captivating narratives to maintain the interest of retailers. There are 3 types of users in Korea which can be classified into the following: • Airdrop farmers: must have actionable steps • Opportunistic cherry pickers/traders: follow narrative/hype • Infra users (in it for the tech): very few of these since Koreans trust 3rd party solutions more Using a one-size-fits-all approach is NGMI, and tailoring your marketing campaigns to your target audience is crucial. Building trust through transparency and open communication, while also utilising the Korean language, is key to success in the Korean market. - - - - - - - - - - - - 4. Misc a) Big consumer apps in Korea • Naver • Coupang (e-comemrce) • Kakao (KakaoTalk, Kakao Taxi) • Samsung Pay (Apple pay doesn't work in Korea for obv reasons) b) Korean builders primarily come from either SKY or KAIST SKY is the unofficial grouping and acronym for the 3 most prestigious universities located in Korea: • Seoul University • Korea University • Yonsei University While KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) is a national research university. c) Other interesting things I learned • Aptos and Sui are quite popular in Korea. • Many ecosystems already started hiring Head of Korea including the likes of Monad, Chromia. • Did not meet a single person from Upbit or BitThumb , listings on these exchanges is extremely hard and random. • Tons of vape shops around • For your next Korea trip: Use Naver Map and KakaoMap to navigate; Uber and Kakao Taxi to get around; Catch Table to find restaurants; Coupang eats for food delivery and Papago for translations. - - - - - - - - - - - - Ok enough yapping TLDR: map out the local ecosystem and landscape → work with a local advisory firm → plan a localised marketing campaign → understand Korean retails → don’t take advantage of Korean trading volume just because it is high. Written by a non-Korean, apologies for missing out anything or getting some things wrong - please correct me in the comments! #KBW2024 #KBW

youtube.com/watch?v=rKNKpK… Open House AI KBW 🇰🇷 was a great success. Special thanks to our partners & contributors @caladanxyz @Whitewater_Labs @rpcnftclub @CoinnessGL @AIC_ANN @sojudao_ @ChainCatcher_ @Foresight_News @theblockopedia_ @TechFlowPost @followin_io @thehqw @pingthepingping @gdegen @arndxt_xo @rss3_ @openinfo_ video by: @babypro_

We couldn't have hosted the event without the help of our partners and friends! Shout out to our partners Riser VC, @Whitewater_Labs, @scaling_x, @AIGO_Network, @CoinLiquidity, @TONX_Studio, @852web3, @emerge_grp, @9catDigital, @lightchaserfund, and @MaxxcapitalX! And our media partners @with_blockmedia, @tokenpostkr, Blockchain Today, @BlockBeatsAsia, @PANewsCN, @JinseFinance, @TechFlame_News, and @BlockTempo!

It’s a wrap at @kbwofficial, our first side event in #Seoul. Thank you to our sponsors and partners for making this event happen. @MorphL2 @PolyhedraZK @SeiNetwork @AlchemyPay @AEON_Community @nubit_org @Whitewater_Labs @XLayerOfficial @OneKeyHQ @zkLink_Official @ChakraChain @CoinPost_Global @LayerBankFi @HashKeyCloud Have you signed up for our next event in #Singapore during #token2049, link below⬇️⬇️ lu.ma/fqjk0w8w

A special thanks to our partners and media supporters for helping us spread the word! 🙏 Partners Riser VC, @Whitewater_Labs, @scaling_x, @AIGO_Network, @CoinLiquidity, @TONX_Studio, @852web3, @emerge_grp, @9catDigital, @lightchaserfund, and @MaxxcapitalX Media partners @with_blockmedia, @tokenpostkr, Blockchain Today, @BlockBeatsAsia, @PANewsCN, @JinseFinance, @TechFlame_News, and @BlockTempo

@Whitewater_Labs @sojudao_ @MorphL2 @XLayerOfficial

Join us at the StakeStone Connect: #Seoul Edition where we’re pushing the boundaries of #DeFi innovation. During #KBW2024, we’ll delve into how StakeStone is revolutionizing liquidity across the blockchain ecosystem. From staking to DeFi strategies, we’re committed to driving the next wave of decentralized finance with our partners. @MorphL2 @PolyhedraZK @SeiNetwork @AlchemyPay @AEON_Community @nubit_org @XLayerOfficial @OneKeyHQ @zkLink_Official @ChakraChain @LayerBankFi @HashKeyCloud @CoinPost_Global @Whitewater_Labs @Foresight_News @OdailyGlobal @PANewsCN @ChainCatcher_ @BlockBeatsAsia @MetaEraHK Join us to gain insights from our panelists featuring experts from @berachain, @monad_xyz, @eigencloud, @ambergroup_io, and others. Date: 4th September Time: 6pm - 10pm Location: Register for more details Whether you’re a seasoned DeFi enthusiast or new to the space, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss. Sign up below⬇️⬇️ lu.ma/mla3lmdb

Check out the poster and see who's coming to our event:

We're excited to host Whitewater Labs Seoul Pub Social during @kbwofficial at Sam Ryan's Itaewon with @orbs_network , @plumenetwork , @atdawn_io , and +50 Partners in #Web3 ! Feel free to sign-up and meet our team in Korea🔽 lu.ma/s4bfycm2

Open House AI by @Whitewater_Labs Don’t miss our panel discussion, "Possibilities of Fully Decentralized AI" featuring KIP, @Gaianet_AI, @Myshell_ai, @nubilanetwork & more. 🗓 Date & Time: Wednesday, September 4, 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM GMT+9 🔗 RSVP: lu.ma/4obzw1an

Speaker Announcement 🎙️ We're excited to announce that Jake Choi @jake_cryptokr, Co-Founder & CEO of @Whitewater_Labs will be speaking at #KBW2024: IMPACT!