Justin Sun Acknowledges Blockchain's Generational Shift From Jack Ma's Fintech Legacy

Justin Sun, the founder of TRON, responded to a viral post that drew comparisons between him and Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba. The post highlighted the shared milestones of both figures, including meetings with U.S. presidents, appearances on the cover of Forbes, and their roles in the evolution of payment systems. Sun's response, "代代传承" (passed down from generation to generation), sparked a cultural conversation about the transition from traditional fintech to blockchain innovation in the Web3 era.

The viral post, originally shared by EnHeng, compared the journeys of Jack Ma and Justin Sun, noting that both had met U.S. presidents during their respective eras and had been featured on the cover of Forbes magazine. The post also mentioned that Sun was once a student at Hupan University, an institution founded by Ma. This comparison symbolized a shift from the Web2 era of fintech, represented by Ma, to the Web3 era of blockchain, represented by Sun.

Sun's reaction to the post, using the phrase "代代传承," was interpreted as an acknowledgment of his place in a lineage of tech leadership. The phrase, which implies continuity through generations, suggested respect for Ma's legacy while also signaling a forward-looking vision for blockchain's role in financial innovation. This reaction aligned with the post's central idea of the relay of innovation from one tech generation to another.

Justin Sun's name is well-known in the blockchain industry. In 2017, he founded TRON with the aim of innovating a new era in internet decentralization. Under his leadership, TRON grew into a well-developed blockchain-based ecosystem. Sun's journey continued with the acquisition of BitTorrent in 2018, further expanding the Web3 ecosystem. In 2020, Sun became the second Chinese entrepreneur to appear on the cover of Forbes magazine’s English edition, following Jack Ma. His academic link to Ma runs through Hupan University, where he studied entrepreneurial leadership. Sun's meeting with Donald Trump in 2020 added to his international profile, echoing Jack Ma's earlier White House visit in 2017.

The viral post and Sun's reaction highlight a narrative of technological transition. Jack Ma helped define China’s fintech wave with Alibaba and Alipay. Justin Sun is now leading a new wave with TRON and other blockchain ventures. The phrase "passed down from generation to generation" captures the spirit of innovation evolving from traditional finance to decentralized platforms. While Jack Ma shaped Web2 finance, Justin Sun is pushing boundaries in the Web3 era. His journey reflects the shift in digital power from platforms to protocols, and from centralized systems to decentralized networks. This generational change marks a broader trend in the tech landscape, signaling the rise of blockchain as a core infrastructure for future economies.