ETHDenver 2025 Draws 25,000 Attendees, Focuses on Long-Term Growth

ETHDenver 2025, the world’s largest BUIDL festival, attracted approximately 25,000 attendees from around the globe. The event showcased projects focused on advancing the blockchain and crypto ecosystems, highlighting the growing interest in real-world AI applications and their integration into the blockchain ecosystem. Despite market challenges, the event was a success, underscoring the resilience and optimism within the community.

James Wo, Founder and CEO of Digital Finance Group (DFG), shared his key takeaways from the event, emphasizing the increased focus on long-term growth over hype-fueled projects. Wo noted a positive outlook toward a bullish market, with participants remaining resolute despite macroeconomic concerns, including trade tensions. Many attendees expressed optimism about anticipated regulatory clarity, which is expected to strengthen the market.

The memecoin and altcoin space received less attention compared to previous years, largely due to open criticism that has deterred potential investors. This shift indicates that builders are less focused on short-term token launches and are instead concentrating on developing the next generation of Web3 applications, thereby enhancing adoption and usability.

A central theme of this year’s ETHDenver was the collective outlook toward long-term growth. Discussions revolved around artificial intelligence (AI), real-world assets (RWA), DeFi, stablecoins, and institutional infrastructure. Investors are increasingly looking to support projects with sustainable business models. Due to the uncertainty surrounding global political events and the bearish sentiment in the altcoin market, Web3 VCs have adopted a cautious approach to deploying capital. Wo observed that the focus on backing long-term projects was conspicuous, with investors showing support for startups with defined roadmaps, solid revenue models, and regulatory compliance strategies.

This year at ETHDenver, many builders shared their strategies for developing products focused on long-term sustainability and profitability. A notable shift in strategy saw more projects deploying on multiple chains, highlighting interoperability as an essential feature for long-term success. Cross-chain solutions allow teams to extend their reach and tap into users across multiple blockchain ecosystems.

AI and agent-based applications remained dominant themes at ETHDenver, with a focus on developing infrastructure and real-world blockchain applications. The event showcased projects with enhanced verifiability, privacy, interoperability, and scalability, suggesting that the intersection between blockchain and AI is moving toward practical implementation.

In addition to attending the event, DFG hosted multiple side events to further engage with ETHDenver attendees. The Founders & VC Brunch, co-hosted with NEAR and Jsquare, drew a crowd of over 350 guests, providing investment teams with an intimate space to evaluate high-potential technologies. The event brought together builders, investors, and industry leaders, creating an opportunity for knowledge sharing and networking essential for blockchain technology’s continued growth and development. The shift towards prioritizing long-term sustainability offers a solution for strengthening integrated applications critical to the future of Web3.