Feelings of a Newbie | At the Hong Kong Web3 Carnival, I Understood the Industry's "Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter"

Author: ChainCatcher

Finding calm in the hustle and bustle, sowing hope in the cold wave. As a "newcomer" to the Web3 industry, I had the privilege of participating in the "2025 Hong Kong Web3 Carnival," co-hosted by Wanxiang Blockchain Lab and HashKey Group—this was also my first time stepping into such a large industry event.

In early April, by the Victoria Harbour, the spring breeze was still gentle, yet the exhibition hall was bustling with activity. When traditional cultural imagery intertwined with cutting-edge technology, I felt the warmth and pulse of Web3 more vividly than ever. It was not just an exhibition; it felt like a journey from the periphery to the core, allowing me to touch the true texture and spiritual essence of this world for the first time.

The four-day carnival featured nearly 40 thematic forums covering multiple dimensions such as technology, compliance, and culture; over 400 experts, scholars, and industry leaders engaged in in-depth discussions on vertical tracks like finance, security, infrastructure, and entertainment.

The Combination of "Four Seasons" Theme and Eastern Aesthetics

This carnival was structured around the theme of "Four Seasons," depicting the spiritual scroll of the Web3 world through the transitions of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. I realized that Web3 is not just a stack of codes and protocols; it is also a nurturing of culture and a transmission of spirit.

Spring is budding, with peach and plum blossoms competing in beauty. The main venue's inscription reads, "A few branches of peach blossoms outside the bamboo, the spring river's water warms, and the ducks know first," just like the new shoots breaking ground in the Web3 world, embodying the intuition of the brave who first sense the arrival of spring. Where the wind rises, some have already begun to ride the waves.

Summer is blazing, with determination like a rock. "Biting down on the green mountain without letting go, the roots are firmly planted in the broken rock," the summer exhibition area is inscribed with this, reflecting the industry's strongest forces. Amidst the tumultuous and ever-changing market waves, builders still cling tightly to their technical foundations, silently cultivating their work.

Autumn grows richer, with ginkgo leaves turning golden. "The world is filled with joy, only the ginkgo does not disappoint autumn," paying tribute to those who toil silently in the cyclical seasons. They are as steady as autumn leaves, never bending due to wind and frost, but rather shining even brighter as the cold sets in. They persevere through cyclical fluctuations, moving forward calmly, and will eventually bloom with the light of harvest in the cold winter.

Winter is approaching, with the plum blossom's resilience. "A treasured sword must be honed, the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from bitter cold," the winter finale pays the deepest respect to all Web3 practitioners. This is a path destined to be filled with thorns; the system is unclear, and users are still distant, but it is precisely because of every bit of hardship and persistence that the light of the future is nurtured. True builders are honing their brilliance in the wind and snow.

Diverse Topics Showcasing the Breadth of Web3

The most intuitive feeling upon entering the exhibition area is the continuous expansion of Web3's boundaries. From crypto finance, on-chain infrastructure, and public chain ecosystems to cutting-edge technologies like AI, RWA, and PayFi, as well as the involvement of traditional financial institutions, regulatory compliance, security and privacy, digital entertainment, and industry implementation, Web3 is a direct collision with the complex texture of the real world.

In terms of hot topics, PayFi remains the focal point. Traditional financial institutions like HSBC and ZABank discussed Web3 payment practices at roundtables, while the Shanghai Data Exchange and Bosera Asset Management also participated in the exhibition. The interest of traditional funds in new financial paths has moved beyond mere observation to substantial implementation.

The TON ecosystem had an exhibition area with over ten projects showcasing directions such as on-chain trading, e-commerce, and mini-games. Compared to last year's highlight moment when TON had its own sub-forum, this year's relatively low-key presentation may more accurately reflect the contraction and adjustment of its ecosystem amid market cycle changes.

As for RWA, it undoubtedly became one of the hottest keywords of this carnival. Discussions around asset tokenization, regulatory adaptation, and other topics gathered rich presentations and demonstrations at the exhibition. In the "RWA Connecting Reality and Virtuality: Anchoring Assets to the Digital Galaxy" thematic forum, guests such as Chris Yin, CEO and co-founder of Plume, Alex Zhang, CEO of Pharos Network, and Liu Xiaoyu, director of the Data Asset Management Center at the National Engineering Laboratory for Big Data Circulation and Trading Technology, delved into possible paths for the integration of RWA and digital assets. Their insights not only provided directional guidance for the industry but also injected substantial thought into building a trustworthy and efficient digital asset ecosystem.

Newcomer's Harvest: An Immersive Crash Course in Web3

The four-day carnival felt like an intensive yet inspiring crash course in Web3 for me. Whether it was the in-depth speeches from guests on the main stage or one-on-one exchanges with project representatives in the exhibition area, each interaction felt like opening a new window. What impressed me the most was that amidst the bustling crowd at the exhibition, I encountered many university students like myself—who came voluntarily and at their own expense, just to experience the pulse of the industry firsthand. This enthusiasm, which emerged from voluntary participation, may very well be the most vital annotation of Web3.

The carnival allowed me to experience firsthand that Web3 has never stood still; it evolves and grows through one cycle after another. And those truly building this future world are not the hyped concepts or momentarily popular tracks, but the builders who continuously root themselves in technology, thoughtfully consider compliance paths, and deeply understand user needs. Every discussion and every demo they present makes this industry feel more real and substantial.

For any newcomer wishing to understand Web3, participating in such an industry event is not just about "gaining information," but rather an immersive cognitive update. The most striking feeling is that the density of information and the tension of viewpoints far exceed expectations. Web3 is not a distant technological revolution; it exists in the torrent of our times, waiting for more brave individuals to join and co-build.

As the four days of hustle and bustle gradually quieted down, and the crowds in the exhibition hall dispersed, the echoes of intense discussions and clashes of ideas still lingered in my ears. In this energetic and creative carnival, the builders of Web3 turned their ideals into seeds rooted in the earth with their passion and persistence. The budding of spring, the steadfastness of summer, the accumulation of autumn, and the tempering of winter—each seasonal change witnesses the writing of this era's transformation.

This spring journey, for me, is both an expansion of vision and a reshaping of belief. In every step forward in the future, I am willing to walk alongside more like-minded partners, continuously seeking new directions in this ever-changing world, and bravely facing the wind in moments of turbulence.