Back from Emergence in Prague: Here’s What Stood Out

I’ve just returned from the Emergence conference in Prague, and it was packed with valuable discussions from both builders and investors. Here’s a quick rundown of a few highlights and key takeaways that caught my attention.

MiCA: Clearer Guidelines Than Expected

The EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) was a hot topic throughout the event. While the consensus amongst speakers and attendees was that MiCA was not perfect, many agreed it offers much-needed clarity for the crypto space. This framework provides a structured approach for most scenarios, which is a step forward compared to the uncertainty we often see elsewhere.

Interestingly, some projects expressed renewed confidence in building in the US as expectations also grow for better regulatory clarity.

SUI’s Bold Vision

SUI made a strong impression at the conference. They’re working on technology to bring transaction costs close to zero while supporting massive transaction speeds. Their initiative, codenamed “Remora,” seems on a fast track, with hints of progress expected 1-1.5 years from now. While it sounds interesting the details are still being kept under wrap and have only been teased on X and at Emergence.

Memecoins: The Culture Connection

Love them or hate them, memecoins aren’t going away anytime soon. Thanks to the universal appeal of memes, they’ve become a unique way for people to engage with crypto. While the current hype may be overpriced or at the very least unsustainable, it’s likely we’ll see these coins cycle in and out of popularity. Financial nihilism seems to be a sign of the times, and long-lasting memes are likely the ones that can be altered and used in many situations, such as the recent chill guy meme.

Base was mentioned as a likely contender to Solana in this space, as it seems primed to support the next wave of meme-driven tokens.

Exciting Projects to Watch

DoubleZero:

A new infrastructure project aiming to solve internet inefficiencies by increasing bandwidth, reducing latency, and decentralizing communication. If successful, it could unlock the full potential of blockchain technology by helping blockchains reach their theoretical maximum transaction speeds. Here’s their whitepaper.

Lumis:

Still in stealth mode, Lumis is working on a DeFi project promising delta-neutral 25–36% yields in favorable market conditions. The project uses a mix of long and short strategies to maintain positive yields, even during market downturns. It’s also building mechanisms for near-instant rebalancing. More details will come when it officially launches, but early discussions were promising.

Adoption is Taking Shape

There was a strong consensus on where crypto adoption is heading:

• Stablecoins are becoming a key tool for global payments and stabilizing currencies in uncertain economies.
• Memecoins act as a gateway for new users, introducing them to the space in a fun and low-stakes way.
• Crypto gaming draws in gamers from casual and traditional communities, broadening the audience further.

Gnosis and Circles: A Different Kind of Money

Gnosis is exploring the idea of money as a token of trust or a promise rather than something backed by traditional assets. Essentially, Circles is a permissionless system, and the project will allow individuals to mint their own “money” over time. This system adjusts as balances grow, with higher taxes for larger amounts, and relies on people choosing who they trust to trade with. Circles has been tested in Berlin and Bali, and it is set to launch early next year, and you can learn more about the project in detail here.