Consensus Hong Kong 2025: Fireside chat with Anndy Lian

Consensus Hong Kong 2025: Fireside chat with Anndy Lian

 

Fireside Chat: Community, Exchanges, and Sustainability in Web3

The fireside chat between Thomas Kay and Anndy Lian delved into the challenges and opportunities in the Web3 space. The conversation began with a discussion on community building.

Anndy Lian video timeline:

13:01 – “Building Community is a lot tougher than a lot of you guys think, especially comparing now to 2018 when huge influence of users are coming into the web3 space without much knowledge. But right now a lot of the users are actually a lot more educated.” – Anndy Lian
13:23 – “To really build a strong Community, you need to provide enough value for them. It’s not just like you have some airdrops, everybody just come to my community and then they stay with you. We don’t need this kind of community. We want communities that stay with you because of who you are or what you provide for them long term.” – Anndy Lian
15:51 – “If your community is built based on incentives, they’re not loyal. That’s basically someone that comes to you today for airdrops will go to another Community next day for another airdrop. That’s not something that we really look for.” – Anndy Lian
16:06 – “We want to back projects as much as possible to really build a very loyal community.”
16:14 – “Unity is the most important thing. Whenever I see a very good Community, not so much of a project to be honest, because if the project is good usually I think the community is actually walking the talk.” – Anndy Lian
17:03 – “If it’s real community members, you can see the action that they do, the kind of feedback that they give is very different. I treasure those.” – Anndy Lian
17:54 – “I definitely do hope you guys go the route where you guys really build a Unity community and not just a quick one-two months projects and then you move on to the next. I think that’s something that really should change in the space.”
18:25 – “It’s actually very obvious that users are looking for exchanges who can offer them an extra layer of security.”
18:44 – “What people really really want is about accessibility on-ramp, off-ramp. If an exchange is able to provide that additional punch to make sure that the money can safely flow out through a legitimate way, I think that would be a big plus.”
19:34 – “The KOLs are just like butterflies, they shift from A to B to C with the same users. Sooner or later exchanges’ role is also to help us see out what are the good KOLs that you should really talk to and work with.” – Anndy Lian
20:09 – “You become a really healthy flow of user base within the space. I see that in Asia a lot. I’m very active in South Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia. You see that the trend is very obvious – they’re looking for an exchange that they can be with for a long time.”
23:05 – “We see meme coins as a door opener. It’s an easy entry. People can explain very very well. The people I met are very enthusiastic.”
23:20 – “How these memes can survive depends on how many members you can get and what is the kind of narrative that you can provide. A typical roadmap is start with a meme followed by a nice utility.”
24:29 – “There should be a journey for all these memes to carry on because most of the memes, if you are not the top 300 or 500, there’s no way you can survive. So if you need to survive, you need to partner.” – Anndy Lian
25:11 – “Ultimately, you get your community to work for their own benefit. If they can work for their own benefit, the sustainability of the project can go a lot longer, super long. It could last to the next cycle. The problem with projects nowadays is that they have a nice meme, just a nice meme, but they have no plans, they have very poor leaders that don’t know anything apart from just posting ‘I’m feeling good today, the meme is very happy.’ We don’t want to hear this. We want to see price action, we want to see real Partnerships.” – Anndy Lian

Special thanks to Full Value Dan and his team for the team. Read the full article on https://anndy.com/event/consensus-2025-whats-next-for-weex-presented-by-thomas-kay-fireside-chat-with-anndy-lian/

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

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Consensus 2025: What’s Next for WEEX? Presented by Thomas Kay; Fireside chat with Anndy Lian

Consensus 2025: What’s Next for WEEX? Presented by Thomas Kay; Fireside chat with Anndy Lian

The Hong Kong Consensus 2025 spotlight stage provided a platform for leading voices in the blockchain and Web3 space to share their insights and experiences. A key highlight was the presentation by Thomas Kay, Vice President of WEEX Global, followed by a candid fireside chat with Anndy Lian, a best-selling author and blockchain strategist. The event, presented by WEEX, offered a glimpse into the exchange’s rapid growth and a broader discussion on the evolving landscape of Web3.

WEEX Global: A Story of Exponential Growth

Thomas Kay’s presentation detailed WEEX Global’s impressive journey since its establishment in 2018. He shared that WEEX secured a $100 million investment in 2019 from top Singaporean investment firms. Within two years, the platform grew from zero to a staggering $2 billion in daily trading volume. By 2022, WEEX reached 500,000 daily users and signed Jackie Wu, a leading Hong Kong entertainer, as its global brand ambassador.

Kay highlighted that in 2023, WEEX’s user base expanded to over 2 million globally, and they obtained SVG and FSA licenses, enabling operations in over 200 countries and regions. Another $100 million investment was secured from FSN Group, a major South Korean marketing agency. Kay proudly stated, “2024, I think it was one of our best year, full of achievements. I’m very proud to say that we are one of the fastest-growing exchange last year.” The exchange grew from 2 million to 6 million users, reaching a daily trading volume of $5 billion.

A key differentiator for WEEX, according to Kay, is its extensive offering of altcoin pairs. “We have one of the most altcoin pairs, 1,700 plus futures and spot trading pairs,” he stated, providing users with a vast variety of trading options. He emphasized WEEX’s commitment to listing valuable projects, with over 100 different projects listed monthly.

Kay also pointed out WEEX’s focus on liquidity. “When it comes to trading, liquidity is honestly one of the highest priorities for a lot of users,” he said. WEEX boasts over 800 deep liquidity futures and ranks top five among all exchanges in terms of liquidity. Notably, research by CoinMarketCap placed WEEX in the top three for Bitcoin and Ethereum liquidity.

WEEX recently introduced higher leverage options, up to 400x. Kay acknowledged, “I personally would never recommend anyone to go above 50x,” but noted that over 30% of users trade with more than 200x leverage. He explained that this caters to the market trend where users seek higher upside with less capital.

Security remains a top priority for WEEX. Kay mentioned the establishment of a 1,000 BTC protection fund to ensure user fund security. “We have consistently managed to have more than 100% reserve ratio for the last two years,” he added.

The WEEX Token (WXT) and Future Plans

Kay introduced WEEX’s native platform token, WXT, highlighting its remarkable growth of 384% since launch. He described it as “a benchmark for every centralized exchange trying to launch a token right now.” WEEX plans to replicate the success of other exchange tokens by burning WXT quarterly, using 20% of the company’s profits to reduce supply and enhance token value.

WXT offers users up to 70% trading fee discounts and higher profit shares for affiliates. Kay also highlighted the “relaunch” platform, where users can commit WXT to projects and receive airdrops. He announced a current event offering 1 million USDT worth of WXT airdrops to holders.

Looking ahead, WEEX plans to be active in conferences and expand globally, with a new office launching in Dubai. Kay emphasized the focus on providing the best experience for all users, including institutional and high-net-worth individuals. He also stressed the importance of community engagement and global compliance. “In 2025, one of our top priorities across all departments is compliance,” he stated.

Fireside Chat: Community, Exchanges, and Sustainability in Web3

The fireside chat between Thomas Kay and Anndy Lian delved into the challenges and opportunities in the Web3 space. The conversation began with a discussion on community building.

Kay acknowledged the difficulty, stating, “Building community is a lot tougher than a lot of you guys think,” especially compared to 2018. He emphasized the need to provide value beyond incentives: “We want communities that stay with you because of who you are or what you provide for them long term.”

Lian added that users are now more sophisticated, seeking transparency and understanding the relationship between projects and exchanges. “It’s not easy to really build effectively,” he said, highlighting the need for unity and collaboration within the ecosystem. He suggested that established exchanges should support smaller projects in emerging markets.

Lian emphasized the importance of genuine community engagement. “Whenever I see a very good community…it will be easier for us to spot good projects on X,” he said, noting that real community members’ actions and feedback are distinct from bots.

The conversation shifted to the evolving role of exchanges. Lian pointed out that users are looking for exchanges that offer an extra layer of security and accessibility, particularly for on-ramping and off-ramping funds. He also predicted a decline in KOL-driven exchanges, stating, “Exchanges’ role is also to help us see out what are the goods that you should really talk to and work with.”

Lian shared an interesting observation: “Normies are actually asking these questions in specific AMAs or private groups,” referring to questions about exchange listing fees and whether exchanges are genuinely supporting the community or prioritizing revenue. He stressed that “things should be transparent.”

Regarding the future of projects and memes, Lian sees meme coins as a “door opener” for easy entry into the crypto space. However, he emphasized the need for a sustainable roadmap beyond the initial hype. He suggested models like franchise cafes or merchandise, where the community works for their own benefit, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Lian criticized projects with “no plans” and “poor leaders,” emphasizing the need for price action and real partnerships. He highlighted the importance of exchanges partnering with good communities for a win-win situation. He cautioned against prioritizing influencers over genuine community benefit, stating, “If you want to be sustainable, you have a big community, make sure that you can monetize that.”

The fireside chat concluded with a call for candid conversations and mindful actions within the Web3 space. Lian’s closing remark, “I hope everybody can do well in this run,” encapsulated the overall sentiment of the event: a focus on collaboration, transparency, and sustainable growth within the evolving world of blockchain and Web3.

 

Video Source: https://consensus-hongkong2025.coindesk.com/agenda/event/-weex-sponsored-session-92 (Official Video from Consensus 2025)

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

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Fireside Chat at DogeCon Thailand 2024- Jordan Jefferson & Anndy Lian

Fireside Chat at DogeCon Thailand 2024- Jordan Jefferson & Anndy Lian

In a lively fireside chat at DogeCon Thailand, two Dogecoin advocates, Jordan Jefferson and Anndy Lian, shared their insights and experiences with Dogecoin. This cryptocurrency has captured the hearts of many with its unique blend of humor and community spirit. The conversation delved into their personal journeys, the evolution of Dogecoin, and the exciting future ahead for this beloved digital currency.

A Journey into the World of Cryptocurrency

Anndy Lian, a best-selling author and fund manager, opened the discussion by introducing himself and his work in the cryptocurrency space. He mentioned his passion for the Meme Space and his role with Memecore. He highlighted his upcoming book on Web4, reflecting his deep engagement with the evolving digital landscape.

Jordan Jefferson, co-founder and CEO of MyDoge, the leading Dogecoin wallet, shared his early experiences as a software engineer and entrepreneur. Despite his early involvement with Bitcoin, Jordan admitted that he was not initially drawn to Dogecoin. It wasn’t until a few years ago that he became fully committed to Dogecoin, captivated by its vibrant community and the potential for fun and innovation within the ecosystem.

The Allure of Dogecoin: Community and Culture

The conversation highlighted Dogecoin’s unique aspects that set it apart from other cryptocurrencies. Jordan emphasized the importance of community and culture in the Dogecoin ecosystem. Unlike many other digital currencies, Dogecoin was created as a joke without the intention of making money. This origin story has fostered a community that values fun and camaraderie over financial gain.

Jordan shared his experiences with the Dogecoin community, noting his positive and supportive interactions while developing the MyDoge wallet. The community’s willingness to help and enthusiasm for Dogecoin’s potential were key factors in his decision to focus on Dogecoin full-time.

Innovations and Future Developments

As the discussion turned to the future of Dogecoin, Jordan revealed exciting developments on the horizon. MyDoge is set to launch a major update, MyDoge V3, which aims to simplify the user experience and make it more accessible to newcomers. The update will focus on eliminating the need for complex seed phrases and introducing foolproof social sign-in options with enhanced security features.

Jordan also introduced DogeOS, an app layer for Dogecoin designed to bring a world of fun and innovative applications to the Dogecoin ecosystem. The goal is to create a unique and engaging experience for users, tapping into the playful spirit that defines Dogecoin.

Building on Dogecoin: Opportunities and Challenges

Both discussed the opportunities for developers to build on Dogecoin, emphasizing the potential to tap into its passionate community. While other blockchain ecosystems offer grants to attract developers, Jordan believes the real value lies in engaging with the Dogecoin community. The support and enthusiasm of Dogecoin users can provide a powerful foundation for new projects.

However, Dogecoin’s decentralized nature also presents challenges. Unlike other cryptocurrencies with centralized foundations, Dogecoin relies on its community to drive growth and innovation. This grassroots approach is both a strength and a challenge, requiring creative solutions to foster development without the financial backing of a centralized entity.

The Role of Dogecoin in the Broader Crypto Landscape

The chat concluded with a discussion on Dogecoin’s role in the broader cryptocurrency landscape. Anndy and Jordan agreed that Dogecoin’s focus on fun and community sets it apart from other digital currencies. While many cryptocurrencies are driven by speculation and financial gain, Dogecoin offers a refreshing alternative that prioritizes user experience and community engagement.

Jordan expressed optimism about the future of Dogecoin, predicting that it will continue to grow and evolve as more people discover its unique appeal. He encouraged newcomers to get involved with the Dogecoin community, highlighting the welcoming and inclusive nature of its members.

Conclusion: A Bright Future for Dogecoin

The fireside chat at DogeCon Thailand provided valuable insights into the world of Dogecoin and its potential for growth and innovation. With a strong focus on community and culture, Dogecoin continues to capture the imagination of users around the world. As new developments like MyDoge V3 and DogeOS come to fruition, the future looks bright for this beloved cryptocurrency. Whether you’re a seasoned crypto enthusiast or a newcomer, Dogecoin offers a unique and engaging experience that will surely delight and inspire.

 

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

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