Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Anndy Lian, a Singapore-based investor, advisor, and author at the intersection of technology, finance, and innovation. With a career spanning digital transformation, blockchain, and Web3, I’ve worked with startups, governments, and global organizations to help navigate the future of technology and value. I’m also a frequent speaker and commentator on fintech, cryptocurrency, and the evolving digital economy.
I have co-authored or authored three books to date:
1) Blockchain Revolution
2030 – My first book, co-written with Park Young Sook and Shawn Hamnison, published by Kyobo, South Korea’s largest bookstore chain. It explores how blockchain will shape the Fourth Industrial Revolution, going beyond cryptocurrency to transform industries and societies.
2) NFT: From Zero to Hero – My solo book, a practical and inspiring guide to the world of Non-Fungible Tokens. Published in partnership with Bybit and available on Amazon, it has sold over 8,000 copies and serves as a go-to resource for creators, investors, and newcomers to Web3.
3) Discovering Singapore By Chance – Co-authored with Jenny Zheng, this heartfelt nonfiction work blends personal narrative with cultural and technological insights, offering a fresh, dual-perspective journey into the soul of Singapore.
Each book reflects my mission: to make complex ideas accessible, empowering people to understand, participate in, and shape the future.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Discovering Singapore By Chance, co-authored with Jenny Zheng.
It was inspired by her journey as a foreigner who chose Singapore not by birth, but through connection and curiosity. Her fresh, outsider’s perspective made me see my own country in a new light—beyond policies and statistics, as a living, evolving story shaped by people, culture, and innovation.
We wanted to capture Singapore not as a textbook case, but as a personal discovery—layered, dynamic, and deeply human. The book blends her emotional journey with my insider’s knowledge, creating a narrative that’s both intimate and insightful. It’s about how a place can surprise you, change you, and eventually feel like home.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
One of my most unusual writing habits is that I rarely start by typing. Instead, I speak my ideas out loud—often into my phone—like I’m explaining them to a friend. I call it voice-to-text thinking. Whether I’m walking, sitting quietly, or even right after a meeting, I record myself freely for five to ten minutes, just letting the thoughts flow.
This method captures the raw energy of my ideas before they get polished or over-edited. Later, I convert the audio into text and refine it. It may seem odd to some, but for me, talking is how I think most clearly. I don’t write best at a desk—I write best on my feet, speaking honestly and spontaneously.
Another unusual trait: I don’t write books from start to finish. I write fragments—whatever feels urgent or inspired at the moment. A memory, a recent conversation, or a strong opinion can become a standalone section. Only later do I piece them together like a puzzle.
So yes, my process might not be traditional—but it’s authentic. I write with my voice first, and my pen later.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Several authors and books have shaped my thinking, but one stands out clearly: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. That book changed how I viewed money, assets, and financial freedom. It taught me that true wealth comes from financial literacy and mindset, not just hard work or a high salary. Its simple, story-driven style showed me the power of making complex ideas accessible—a principle I carry into all my own writing.
Ultimately, I’m drawn to writers who don’t just inform, but transform—those who challenge assumptions and open new ways of thinking. Their work inspires me to do the same: to write not just to be read, but to make a difference.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on my next book, focused on Web4—the next evolution of the internet. While Web3 brought decentralization and digital ownership through blockchain, I believe Web4 will go further by integrating artificial intelligence, ambient computing, and immersive digital ecosystems into everyday life.
This new phase isn’t just about technology—it’s about seamless, intelligent interaction between humans and machines, where context, personalization, and proactive systems redefine how we live, work, and create. My book will explore what Web4 means for identity, privacy, business, creativity, and society, offering clear insights and practical guidance for those preparing to navigate this shift.
Just as I did with blockchain and NFTs, my goal is to demystify Web4—making it understandable and relevant for everyone, not just tech insiders. The project is deeply personal and builds on all I’ve learned from my previous books. I aim to release it within the next year, as a roadmap for the next decade of digital transformation.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My strongest platform for promoting my books is X (formerly Twitter).
It’s where I’ve built a highly engaged audience in the tech, blockchain, and Web3 space. The real-time, conversational nature of X allows me to share insights, quotes, and behind-the-scenes thoughts about my writing process in a way that feels authentic and immediate. I often post short threads explaining key ideas from my books—like NFT use cases or the future of Web4—which spark discussions and drive interest.
What works best is not just announcing the book, but living the content daily. By consistently sharing value-driven perspectives, I position the books not as products, but as natural extensions of a larger conversation. Readers follow the ideas first—and then the book becomes a resource they want to explore.
X also connects me directly with creators, investors, and readers who reshare, comment, and ask questions—creating organic reach. For NFT: From Zero to Hero, many sales came directly from viral threads and community engagement on this platform.
So while I use LinkedIn, podcasts, and events, X remains my most effective tool—not just for promotion, but for building trust and momentum one tweet at a time.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, here’s my advice for new authors:
Start before you feel ready. You don’t need to be an expert, famous, or perfect—you just need to have a message worth sharing. The best writing comes from clarity and authenticity, not credentials.
Write for one person, not everyone. Imagine you’re explaining your idea to a friend who’s curious but not an expert. Keep it simple, relatable, and human. If you try to please all readers, you’ll end up connecting with none.
Consistency beats inspiration. Don’t wait for the “perfect moment” or a burst of creativity. Write in small chunks—10 minutes a day, a voice note, a single paragraph. Over time, these pieces add up.
Your first draft is not your final message. It’s okay if it’s messy. Just get the ideas out. Editing is where the magic happens.
Use platforms to practice. Before writing a book, share your ideas on social media—X, LinkedIn, blogs. See what resonates. Feedback from real readers is the best guide.
Don’t write to impress. Write to make a difference. If your words help just one person understand something new or feel less alone, you’ve succeeded.
And finally, finish what you start. So many people begin a book but never complete it. Push through the doubt. The world needs your voice—not someone else’s copy, but your truth.
Write with purpose. Share with courage. The rest will follow.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever heard is: “Don’t wait to be ready. Start where you are.”
So many people hold back because they feel they don’t know enough, aren’t famous enough, or don’t have the perfect plan. I used to feel that way too. But this one line changed everything for me.
When I started speaking about blockchain to governments, I wasn’t the most experienced. When I wrote my first book, I wasn’t a celebrity author. But I had something valuable—a clear message, real passion, and a willingness to begin.
By starting before I felt ready, I learned faster, built credibility through action, and connected with people who were on the same journey.
That advice applies to writing, innovation, and life. You don’t need perfect conditions. You just need to begin—with what you know, who you are, and the tools in front of you.
Because readiness isn’t a starting point. It’s the result of starting.
What are you reading now?
Right now, I’m reading books and research papers on artificial intelligence, ambient computing, and the future of digital identity—all in preparation for my upcoming book on Web4.
I’m diving into how AI is reshaping human-technology interaction, especially in smart environments where devices anticipate our needs without explicit commands. I’m also exploring works on decentralized identity, privacy in immersive ecosystems, and the convergence of physical and digital realities.
While I’m not reading much fiction at the moment, I do follow thought leaders like Yuval Noah Harari, Peter Diamandis, and Kai-Fu Lee for their insights on technology and society. Their work helps me frame the bigger picture—how these changes affect not just systems, but people.
So my current reading list is research-heavy, future-focused, and deeply curious. Every book, article, or paper feeds into the next chapter—of my writing, and of the world we’re building.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to keep writing—blending technology, storytelling, and human insight. I may explore fiction in the metaverse space one day, or a deeper personal reflection on innovation in Asia. But for now, my mission remains clear: to help people understand the future, not fear it.
So what’s next? More writing, more thinking, more connecting. And hopefully, more books that inspire readers to see the world differently—and shape what comes next.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If I were stranded on a desert island and could take just three or four books, I’d make sure one of them was my new book, Discovering Singapore By Chance—not out of pride, but because it carries stories, memories, and reflections that feel deeply personal. It would be like having a piece of home, conversation, and purpose with me.
Author Websites and Profiles
Anndy Lian’s Social Media Links
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”.
