Anndy Lian, a best-selling author and blockchain strategist, shared his pointed perspectives on the evolving Web3 landscape during a fireside chat at the Hong Kong Consensus 2025. The event, which also featured a presentation by Thomas Kay, Vice President of WEEX Global, provided a platform for Lian to delve into critical topics such as community building, the changing role of exchanges, and the long-term sustainability of blockchain projects.
Community is King: Beyond Incentives and Towards True Engagement
Lian immediately addressed the challenges of building authentic communities in the current Web3 environment. He acknowledged that users are far more sophisticated than in the early days of crypto, demanding more than just airdrops and fleeting incentives. He agreed with Thomas Kay’s point that building a strong community requires providing genuine, long-term value. “It’s not easy to really build effectively,” Lian stated, emphasizing the need for “unity” within the ecosystem. He suggested that larger, more established exchanges should actively support smaller, promising projects, particularly those in emerging markets like Russia, Kenya, and Brazil.
Lian believes that genuine community engagement is the key to identifying promising projects. He shared, “Whenever I see a very good community…it will be easier for us to spot good projects on X,” highlighting the importance of observing real user activity and feedback, as opposed to artificial engagement from bots. He treasures the input from genuine community members, believing it’s a crucial indicator of a project’s potential.
The Evolving Role of Exchanges: Transparency and User Trust
The conversation then turned to the critical role of cryptocurrency exchanges in the Web3 ecosystem. Lian highlighted the growing demand for exchanges to provide not only security but also accessibility, especially regarding the often-complex processes of on-ramping and off-ramping funds. He stated that users want to know that their money can “safely flow out through a legitimate way.”
Lian also predicted a shift away from exchanges heavily reliant on Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) or influencers. He argued that KOLs often act like “butterflies,” flitting between projects and bringing the same audience with them, ultimately providing little unique value. He believes that exchanges have a responsibility to help users identify genuinely valuable projects and partners.
Perhaps most strikingly, Lian revealed that everyday users (“normies”) are becoming increasingly savvy about the inner workings of exchanges. He shared that he frequently receives questions in AMAs and private groups about exchange listing fees, with users questioning whether exchanges are prioritizing revenue over genuine community support. “Normies are actually asking these questions,” he emphasized, underscoring the growing demand for transparency in the industry. He believes this is “one important metric that we should share,” and that “things should be transparent.”
Memes as a Gateway, But Sustainability is Key
On the topic of meme coins, Lian acknowledged their role as an accessible “door opener” to the crypto world, attracting new users with their fun and relatable nature. However, he cautioned that long-term survival requires more than just initial hype. He believes that successful meme projects need a clear roadmap, strong leadership, and a focus on building a genuine community.
Lian proposed innovative models for meme coin sustainability, such as creating real-world extensions like franchise cafes or merchandise lines. These ventures, he argued, could create a “sustainable business” where the community actively participates and benefits, ensuring the project’s longevity. He used the example of an “Anndy cafe” as a global clubhouse, networking with exchanges and partners.
He was critical of projects that lack concrete plans and rely solely on fleeting trends. “We want to see price action, we want to see real partnerships,” he asserted, highlighting the need for projects to collaborate with exchanges and other entities to create genuine value. He cautioned against prioritizing superficial influencer marketing over genuine community benefit, stating, “If you want to be sustainable, you have a big community, make sure that you can monetize that.” He believes that projects should focus on benefiting their communities directly, rather than funneling resources to influencers who may not have the community’s best interests at heart.
A Call for Candor and Collaboration
Lian’s overall message was one of collaboration, transparency, and a focus on long-term sustainability. He emphasized the need for open and honest conversations about the challenges and opportunities within the Web3 space, even touching on potentially controversial topics like exchange listing fees. His concluding remark, “I hope everybody can do well in this run,” reflected his hope for a future where projects, exchanges, and communities work together to create a thriving and equitable ecosystem. He believes that walking the talk and benefiting the community is the right path. He also mentioned that he is not against KOLs or influencers, but if a project wants to be sustainable, it has to monetize its big community.
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”.