Korea Blockchain Week 2025: Global Investment Firms Jsquare and DFG Host Groundbreaking 'Bridge the Block Korea Day'

On September 22, leading global investment firms Jsquare and DFG successfully hosted the “Bridge the Block Korea Day,” an official side event of Korea Blockchain Week 2025 (KBW 2025). Held at the Blue Square in Hannam-dong, Seoul, the event emerged as a pivotal platform connecting Korean Web3 entrepreneurs and developers with international venture capitalists, technology firms, and innovation leaders. The gathering fostered dynamic conversations around collaboration, technological advancements, and market opportunities in the global Web3 ecosystem.

Key Collaborators and Supporters Strengthen Event Impact

The conference was co-hosted by ZAN and O.neul E&M, supported by strategic sponsors including Peanut Trade, Echobit, Nubila, Prismacloud, and Tevau. BTSE and RiserVC joined as strategic partners, while AKINDO and 0G contributed to the highly anticipated startup pitch session. Attendees benefited from thought-provoking keynote presentations, in-depth panel discussions, and curated networking sessions exploring industry-disrupting trends such as artificial intelligence (AI), decentralized finance (DeFi), decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN), blockchain scalability, and tokenized real-world assets (RWA).

Organizers emphasized their mission to advance Korea’s role in global Web3 adoption by facilitating connections across technology, policy, and capital. This initiative offered attendees the rare opportunity to engage in targeted discussions on emerging solutions and cross-border collaboration.

Building Trust and Connectivity: Insights from Industry Leaders

During her keynote address, Joanna Liang, Founding Partner of Jsquare, likened the Web3 landscape to a survival-driven “jungle environment” where agility and decisive action are paramount. Liang stressed the importance of bold innovation and adaptability as key drivers for sustained growth within decentralized technologies.

James Wo, CEO of DFG, highlighted the accelerating evolution of Korea’s Web3 market, pointing out lingering challenges such as limited access to international markets, regulatory hurdles, and cultural differences. Despite these barriers, he remained optimistic about Korea’s continued global prominence as an incubator for blockchain innovation.

In a major policy assertion, Representative Kim Hyun-jung of the National Assembly Financial Committee emphasized the foundational role of trust amidst a convergence of emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and big data. She discussed legislative efforts aimed at integrating stable-value digital assets, fostering inclusive finance, and enhancing Korea’s position in the global decentralized economy.

Seung-hoon Lee, Director of O.neul E&M, commended the proactive engagement of public companies entering the blockchain sector despite regulatory uncertainties. He noted their pivotal role in shaping industry standards and cultivating trust. Ricky Yang, solutions architect at ZAN, revealed groundbreaking innovations in decentralized infrastructure, such as zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP), expandable nodes, and modular architectures. Yang underscored the need to balance security with performance to ensure the mainstream adoption of Web3 technologies.

Expert Panel Discussions Drive Web3 Convergence Narratives

The event’s panel discussions provided deep insights into pressing topics like “DeFi Meets AI” and “Korea to the World.” Anastasiia Lorenzen of Peanut Trade addressed the expanding role of AI-driven automation in improving liquidity management and enhancing yield strategies within decentralized finance. She cautioned against governance deficiencies and overdependence on algorithmic decision-making, underscoring the need for balanced innovation.

Hye-won Jeon, Director at Echobit, moderated the "Korea to the World" panel, shedding light on Korea’s cultural influence as both a driver and asset for blockchain scalability and adoption. Jeon highlighted how Korean content and technology are positioned to penetrate global markets as key contributors to Web3 expansion.

Jiahao Sun, CEO of Flock.io, called for proactive efforts in establishing decentralized data networks to facilitate international collaboration. He emphasized Korea’s strategic potential in building infrastructure that bridges nations through blockchain-powered solutions. Meanwhile, Toby Skinner, co-founder of Nubila, expanded on DePIN technology’s capability to transcend cryptocurrencies into areas like cloud services and enterprise IT. Skinner highlighted the importance of user-friendly platforms and scalable implementations critical to broad-based adoption.

Startup Pitch Session: Connecting Decentralized Innovators with Global Backers

The “VC Pitch Session,” co-led by AKINDO and 0G, was a standout element of the event. Nine pioneering startups, selected during a rigorous two-month review process, showcased their cutting-edge innovations in blockchain, AI, infrastructure, gaming, and cybersecurity. Among the presenters, UnifAI, BitGPT, and Avinasi emerged as top-performing startups, earning cash prizes and follow-up mentorship from top-tier sponsors including AKINDO, CoinMarketCap Labs, and ChainGPT AI Hub.

This direct interaction between Korean innovators and international venture capitalists provided actionable insights and facilitated potential funding opportunities. Real-time feedback and one-on-one collaboration sessions paved the way for deeper partnerships, ensuring sustainable growth trajectories for each participating startup.

One event organizer remarked, “The pitch session gave emerging startups a unique opportunity to engage global investors, receive critical funding, and explore key collaboration opportunities to scale their projects internationally.”

Forging Korea’s Future Role as a Global Web3 Hub

“Bridge the Block Korea Day” transcended expectations, establishing itself as a dynamic networking venue for startups, enterprises, policymakers, and venture capitalists. Participating firms such as Tevau, Umy, and Prismacloud demonstrated their latest innovations through live demos and booth consultations, further maximizing engagement between investors and technology leaders.

Jsquare and DFG reiterated their steadfast commitment to propelling Korea forward as a global hub for Web3 innovation. Jsquare, managing $200 million in assets, focuses on accelerating Web3 adoption through strategic, technology-driven investments. DFG, with over $1 billion in assets under management, maintains a global footprint with investments in over 100 projects, including major players like Solana (SOL), Near Protocol (NEAR), Coinlist, and Render Network (RNDR).

With strategic initiatives like "Bridge the Block Korea Day," Korea continues to solidify its position as a pioneering force in Web3 technologies, enabling meaningful convergence between blockchain innovation and global collaboration.