Vitalik Buterin and Dr. Xiao Feng Launch Ethereum Applications Guild to Transform Collaboration in the Web3 Ecosystem
Vitalik Buterin and Dr. Xiao Feng Initiate the Ethereum Applications Guild (EAG)
At the recently held Token2049 Summit, a critical moment for the Web3 community was marked by the announcement of the Ethereum Applications Guild (EAG). This initiative, kicked off by Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, and Dr. Xiao Feng, the Chairman and CEO of HashKey Group, sets the stage for a collaborative revolution aimed at transforming the Ethereum landscape.
The EAG aims to bring together developers, researchers, institutions, and communities within the Ethereum ecosystem. Its core focus is on building a transparent and sustainable framework for collaboration that accelerates the real-world application of native projects. The intent is to transition Ethereum from an era dominated by infrastructure to one that is application-driven.
The Shanhaiwoo Experience
The roots of the EAG can be traced back to a three-year experiment known as Shanhaiwoo, which serves as a collaborative hub initiated by Dr. Xiao Feng. Since its inception in 2023, Shanhaiwoo has evolved into a gathering space for global builders across strategic locations including Beidahu (China), Chiang Mai (Thailand), and Singapore. This initiative has proven important for fostering partnerships in fields such as artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, public chain ecosystems, and public goods.
Through ongoing collaborative projects at Shanhaiwoo, a consensus has emerged among participants: the Ethereum ecosystem possesses ample technology and creativity, yet lacks an effective co-creation mechanism to drive large-scale, impactful applications. The EAG aims to address this void by facilitating new structures for application deployment and funding for public goods.
A New Paradigm for Collaboration
The EAG distinguishes itself from traditional foundations or accelerators. It is designed as an open initiative that seeks to forge a global network concentrating on developing Ethereum-native applications. The Shanhaiwoo space will serve as the main incubator for applications, encouraging developers to create, validate, and refine solutions aimed at tackling real-life problems.
Rather than creating another organizational entity, the EAG proposes a conceptual framework intended for a new wave of cooperative models among Ethereum ecosystem builders. This initiative is built upon the foundational belief that authentic collaboration can catalyze the growth of the Ethereum ecosystem.
A Call to Action
Dr. Xiao Feng, during the announcement, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, "The EAG marks a groundbreaking moment for the application layer of Ethereum. It symbolizes a growing collective effort to embrace what he termed the '1995 moment' for Ethereum, underlining our transition into a new era characterized by application innovation." He further reiterated HashKey Group's commitment to enhancing the Ethereum ecosystem, inviting more native applications to thrive within HashKey Chain L2.
In support of this vision, Vitalik Buterin, who attended the event, expressed his hope for continued investment in community-oriented builders focused on the application layer of Ethereum. He encouraged these builders to adopt Ethereum as their foundational framework and work collectively toward enhancing real-world adoption of the platform.
Invitation to Join
As the EAG progresses into the initial stages of consensus-building, its founders extend a warm invitation to organizations involved with Ethereum treasury, tech firms, Layer-2 teams, developer communities, protocol foundations, and research institutions worldwide. The aim is to co-create an innovative paradigm for Ethereum applications—one driven by true, grassroots-level collaboration. This comprehensive initiative seeks to guide the Ethereum ecosystem into a vibrant period of purposeful impact and widespread real-world applications.
In conclusion, the EAG stands as a beacon of hope for those wishing to contribute actively to the ongoing evolution of the Ethereum ecosystem. As collaborations deepen and new applications emerge, the possibilities for impact are virtually limitless. The call to action is clear: join the initiative and be part of the next chapter in Ethereum's journey toward reshaping the future.