NEWSROOM

We’ve just wrapped up the first stop of the Input | Output (IO) Asia Tour in Seoul, an electrifying city where skyscrapers rise above centuries-old palaces, bridging old and new, and where the energy of K-culture mirrors the ambition of its tech scene.

From packed halls at Korea Blockchain Week to intimate conversations with key media outlets, Seoul reminded us why sharing our story face-to-face is essential to driving the next wave of blockchain adoption. The streets were buzzing with an infectious entrepreneurial spirit and genuine desire to transform our legacy infrastructure. For us at IO, we were proud to be part of the conversations shaping the future of the space.

Insights from Korea Blockchain Week (KBW)

At KBW, Charles Hoskinson, Founder and CEO of IO, took the stage to share his vision for what comes next. His message was clear: trust sits at the heart of crypto. Without it, nothing else works. With it, whole social and economic systems can be reimagined.

Charles described the arrival of a fourth generation of blockchain - one where scale, privacy, and identity finally converge to unlock true digital sovereignty. It’s not just about faster transactions or better infrastructure. It’s about creating the technical and social backbone that allows billions of people to interact, transact, and build systems they can believe in.  

And the takeaway is clear: this only comes to life if we build it together.

From banks to blockchain: What is a DAT anyway?

Dan Singleman, Chief Investment Officer for Hoskinson Family Office, joined a panel alongside leaders from Cantor Fitzgerald and SharpLink Gaming to explore the transformative potential of Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs). 

DATs are more than democratized access to markets - they represent the evolution of capital itself. Imagine moving from banks to blockchains, where new kinds of organizations can generate, pool, and share capital in ways that accelerate progress. This isn’t just financial innovation - it’s laying the groundwork for a new era of blockchain-driven corporations capable of funding and scaling global development.  

Through our lens: Scenes from Seoul

As part of our time in Seoul, we took a moment to step back and embrace the culture and history of Korea. Because for us, it’s not just about the code that goes into technology - it’s about understanding the communities and stories that thrive from it. 

Walking the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace and the National Folk Museum, and later reflecting at the Korean War Memorial, we were reminded of how often division between nations comes at the expense of humanity itself. In conflict, the thread of people - their voices, dreams, and dignity - can be lost. 

But blockchain offers a different path forward. It carries the promise of connection without borders, of uniting people in an unbreakable way - where trust, identity, and opportunity are shared universally. It is in remembering the past that we find inspiration to build a future where humanity comes first.  

Looking ahead

As our first stop, Seoul set the tone for the rest of the Asia Tour. It reminded us that this industry is about more than technology. It’s about culture, collaboration, and courage to imagine something better. 

The Asia Tour is just getting started - and we can’t wait to share what’s next. Follow our journey across  X, LinkedIn and YouTube, and read about the full tour here. 

Next up: Vietnam. See you soon!