- The UK’s Web3 ecosystem is booming, with London Web3 Week 2024 attracting 3,500 attendees at Zebu Live and over 50 side events, marking its largest edition to date
- Solana unveiled "The Square" in partnership with Metawelath, while TON hosted one of its largest-ever hackathons, distributing over $3M in prizes
- Steven Bartlett, Raoul Pal, and Dr Lisa Cameron MP joined Warner Brothers, Coca-Cola, and Alkimi to explore the future of blockchain technology, digital innovation, and its impact on various industries
- The British Red Cross also launched a groundbreaking crypto donations campaign, pushing the boundaries of charitable innovation in the UK
Steven Bartlett (Right) speaking at Zebu Live 2024
London, October 2024: Zebu Live, London’s largest Web3 conference, took place on 10-11 October where leading voices including Steven Bartlett (Diary of a CEO podcast host, BBC Dragon’s Den), and Dr Lisa Cameron MP took to the stage. The message was clear: the UK must step up its Web3 game or risk falling behind.
Alongside other Web3 pioneers, they emphasised two urgent needs: education on Web3 to foster meaningful communities, and regulatory clarity to keep the UK at the forefront of the global Web3 movement.
Key highlights from Zebu Live speakers include:
Closing the Web3 Knowledge Gap in Government
Dr. Lisa Cameron MP called on the government to urgently address the lack of Web3 understanding within Parliament. She highlighted the gap between younger generations and MPs, stressing the need for comprehensive Web3 education.
"Young people in our country are digitally native. It's about skills and jobs of the future, and ensuring we give them the opportunities to thrive in this new digital revolution. So we started with education” she stated.
Steven Bartlett on utilising Web3 to solve real-world problems
Bartlett echoed this call for a deeper understanding of Web3, emphasising its potential to foster meaningful communities and solve real-world challenges. He argued that Web3’s true value lies in its ability to create a sense of belonging while making processes "easier, faster, or cheaper" for individuals.
He highlighted the rise of meme-coins, acknowledging that while their financial value may be debatable, they offer a sense of community in an increasingly disconnected digital world. He urged developers to move beyond the hype and focus on building technologies that address genuine needs rather than simply attaching "Web3" or "blockchain" labels to projects.
UK at a Crossroads: Regulatory Clarity Needed
Tom Duff Gordon, Head of International Policy at Coinbase, pointed to the UK's key advantage in Web3 development: a unified crypto industry, but one that could be lost without clear regulatory action. With the EU already moving ahead with pro-crypto regulations like MiCA, Gordon stressed the UK’s need to act now or risk falling behind in the race for Web3 dominance.
Duff Gordon says:
“We need to press the message that if we want the jobs, we want the growth, we want the innovation in Web3, we want decentralisation, then having some basic kind of regulatory clarity is important.”
To prevent the UK from falling behind in the rapidly evolving blockchain sector, "Stand With Crypto" is advocating for clear and supportive regulations that will foster innovation, attract investment, and cultivate a thriving ecosystem for UK-based blockchain businesses.
Web3 Adoption is Already Here
Macro investor Raoul Pal delivered a powerful reminder: Web3 adoption is already happening. Like the internet and cloud computing, Web3 tech is seamlessly integrating into the background of everyday life.
Pal says:
“It is being adopted. You just don't see it. I've already talked about how all the largest world commodity trading companies are using that technology on a daily basis. You're seeing Visa use it on a daily basis to improve settlement speed of transactions."
Coca-Cola & Warner Bros Join Alkimi to Explore Blockchain Solutions for Digital Advertising
Coca-Cola's James Trott and Warner Brothers' Rob Bradley joined Alkimi Exchange CEO Ben Putley to discuss the challenges facing major advertisers today. Alkimi, leveraging Blockchain technology, aims to solve these issues by offering 100% transparency in media spending, more efficient value transfers, and reduced fees. Putley also highlighted the outdated cookie-based system and how Blockchain is paving the way for the future of programmatic advertising, ensuring the ad-funded internet can thrive.
Solana & Metawealth: Tokenized Web3 Coworking in London
In a groundbreaking announcement, Solana & Metawealth unveiled The Square, the world’s first tokenized coworking space in London. The space allows anyone in the Web3 community to own a stake, creating a hub for collaboration and innovation at the heart of London’s tech scene.
Stephen Newham, Solana Superteam UK lead says:
“Blockchains are Digital Cities, but Physical Spaces, like The Square, create the environment & experiences to accelerate your journey into the frontier of tech.”
TON Society’s first-ever Hackathon - Hackers League London Bootcamp brought together over 30 groundbreaking projects, distributing more than $3 million in prizes, making it one of the largest hackathons in TON’s history. Organised by key industry leaders Martin Masser (CBDO, StonFi), Danny Wheeler (CSO, Xircus), and Jack Booth (co-founder, TON Society), the event highlights London’s emergence as a global powerhouse for tech innovation and hacker culture.
Nordark introduces bespoke over-collateralized crypto loans: At Zebu Live, Nordark unveiled its new service tailored for a diverse array of tokens, providing customers the opportunity to leverage their crypto assets for liquidity without sacrificing their investment positions. Offering flexible terms and pioneering loan structures, Nordark caters to the unique financial needs of its users, facilitating access to funds while ensuring continued investment growth.
Harry Horsfall, CEO & co-founder of Flight3 & Community Manager of Zebu Live, says:
“Zebu Live's fourth year has been an incredible success, bringing together some of the brightest minds and pioneers in the Web3 space.” Horsfall continues: “The overwhelming response from our community and the continued growth, enthusiasm, and innovation we’ve seen here are proof that the UK is primed to lead the global Web3 revolution.”
Set to return in October 2025, visit the Zebu Live website for more information and follow Zebu Live’s social channels for event updates and exclusive content:
- Twitter: @Zebu_live
- Telegram: Zebu Live
- LinkedIn: Zebu Live - London Web3 Conference
Please find a full media kit with further imagery HERE.
For all media and press enquiries, or if you’d like to discuss sponsorship or speaker opportunities, please contact Zebu Live at [email protected].
About Zebu Live
Zebu Live is the annual Web3 event owned by Flight3 (formerly Zebu Digital), the Web3 marketing agency. In April 2023, Zebu Digital was acquired by Steven Bartlett’s marketing and communications agency, Flight Story.
Zebu Live is in its fourth year, having launched the event in 2020. For this year’s show, sponsors include Coinbase, Goliath, Alkimi, Solana, and more.