Ten years. A decade can feel like a lifetime or a fleeting moment, depending on what you’re measuring. For Ethereum, the past ten years have been a whirlwind of innovation, growth, and transformation. As its native token, Ether (ETH), soared to new heights and the Ethereum Foundation embraced a more proactive leadership, the ecosystem has matured in remarkable ways. Now, as the community gathers in Buenos Aires for Devconnect, a flagship week for collaboration and building, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation. It’s more than just another conference; it’s a moment to see what Ethereum truly looks like when it steps out of the whitepapers and into everyday life.
I recently had the chance to speak with Candu Fazzano, Devconnect’s Ecosystem Lead, who is on the ground in Argentina, orchestrating this global gathering. Her insights reveal not just the logistical feat of bringing such an event to life, but also the profound significance of hosting it in a country where necessity often births the most compelling innovation. Argentina, with its unique economic landscape and vibrant community spirit, offers a compelling canvas to showcase Ethereum’s real-world impact. Candu believes that this Devconnect will offer a glimpse into Ethereum’s future, where technology isn’t just theoretical but tangible, shaping lives and communities.
Devconnect: From Code to Culture, An Ecosystem Expands
Forget everything you thought you knew about Devconnect. Candu assures us that this year’s edition is a radical departure from its past iterations. Historically, Devconnect has been a largely coworking-style event, a deep dive for developers. This time, it’s throwing its doors wide open.
“This Devconnect will feel completely different,” Candu explained. “Now, it’s opening up to people from finance, education, research, art—anyone curious about how blockchain connects to the real world.” Imagine a bustling hub where traditional finance professionals rub shoulders with digital artists, and educators discuss the future with game developers. It’s an ambitious vision, designed to reflect the increasingly diverse applications of blockchain technology.
The Ethereum World Fair: Touch, Learn, Discover
The centerpiece of this expanded vision is the Ethereum World Fair, conceived less as a conference and more as an immersive experience. Candu draws inspiration from Buenos Aires’ Museo Prohibido No Tocar—the “Touching Not Forbidden” museum—an interactive science space where learning comes through hands-on engagement. That’s the ethos of the World Fair: less theory, more discovery.
The venue, La Rural, will be transformed into an “Ethereum city,” complete with eight themed districts covering everything from AI and Gaming to Wallets, DeFi, and Social applications. Each district will highlight real-world use cases, echoing the original World Fairs where groundbreaking inventions like the telephone and light bulb were first unveiled. Argentina, Candu notes, is the perfect backdrop for this concept. Here, Web3 innovation isn’t just conceptual; it’s tangible, used daily for saving, transacting, and staying connected. It’s innovation meeting real life, just as the World Fairs always intended.
With an expected 15,000 attendees, visitors won’t just listen; they’ll explore, experiment, and even earn rewards by completing small challenges. One massive pavilion will serve as a coworking zone, a dynamic heart from which participants can venture into over forty side events spread across the city. This isn’t just about passive consumption; it’s about active participation and genuine connection.
Argentina’s Grassroots Revolution: Real-World Ethereum in Action
What makes Argentina such a compelling host for Devconnect? Candu emphasizes that adoption here has always been “grassroots, growing from real needs more than hype.” This isn’t a top-down mandate; it’s innovation born from necessity, forged in communities facing unique economic challenges. It offers a powerful counter-narrative to the speculative frenzy often associated with crypto, showcasing practical utility that genuinely impacts lives.
The sheer diversity of projects being built across Argentina still astounds Candu, even after years in the space. From San Juan to Mendoza, Rosario to Santa Fe, each region boasts its own distinctive approach to putting blockchain to work. It’s a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of local builders. What’s more, universities are increasingly integrating blockchain into their curricula and even their own systems—a forward-thinking approach that’s still uncommon in many other parts of the world. This indicates how deeply the ecosystem has taken root, signaling that education is rapidly becoming the next critical layer of growth.
Argentina is also at the forefront of the burgeoning tokenization trend. The National Securities Commission (CNV) is actively exploring how fintech and blockchain regulation can converge, paving the way for innovations in payments, compliance, and tokenized assets. Projects like BCP and InfoApp are already pushing boundaries, experimenting with identity solutions, ticketing, and even public-sector applications. It’s a dynamic environment where the theoretical promise of blockchain is swiftly becoming practical reality.
For Candu, seeing Devconnect finally land in Argentina is incredibly exciting. “People have been asking for a Devconnect in Argentina since 2018, and now it’s finally happening. Usually, we’re the ones flying across the world for these events. This time, the world is coming to us.” This shift is profound for local builders, marking a significant milestone that brings new energy, talent, and connections right to their doorstep. It’s a chance to showcase their incredible work on a global stage, infused with Argentina’s signature warmth, collaborative spirit, and resilient drive—all punctuated with local music, art, food, and yes, even a football pitch.
Building Bridges: Nurturing Talent and Connecting Ecosystems
When asked what support builders in Latin America need most, Candu’s answer is clear: “More than anything, resources and a network.” She reflects on her own experience attending her first international conference in Europe, realizing how a single conversation could open doors that might otherwise take years to unlock. For many builders in LATAM, traveling that far simply isn’t feasible.
This is where the support of protocols, DAOs, and foundations becomes invaluable. It’s not just about funding, though that’s important. It’s about consistent mentorship, constructive feedback, and the continuity that helps projects flourish. When builders feel genuinely seen and supported, their growth accelerates, and they contribute to the ecosystem with greater confidence and purpose.
While there’s still a noticeable gap between the grassroots and institutional sides of the ecosystem, Candu believes it’s rapidly closing. Many local builders, despite their immense talent, often don’t know where to start or who to connect with. That’s where people like Candu, who understand both layers, become crucial bridges. When local facilitators can connect community innovators with larger protocols, progress happens at an astonishing pace. The talent is undoubtedly there; it simply needs guidance, collaboration, and the opportunity to plug into the global ecosystem.
Devconnect is intentionally designed to be this bridge. One of the most astounding aspects for Candu is the expected attendance of over 3,000 high school students. “When I was 18, I didn’t even know events like this existed,” she muses. These students are at a pivotal stage, making decisions about their studies, careers, and aspirations. Being immersed in a space where ideas and opportunities converge can profoundly alter their path, sparking lifelong passions for technology and innovation.
Throughout the week, dedicated onboarding sessions with universities and blockchain clubs will ensure that everyone—students, seasoned builders, or curious newcomers—can learn and participate. November 18 will even be a dedicated “local day” conducted entirely in Spanish, designed to warmly welcome first-time participants into the broader Ethereum community. And with major announcements anticipated from leading protocols and companies, including some with over a billion users, Devconnect promises to be a powerful moment where global and local energies coalesce, demonstrating the exponential strength of a truly connected ecosystem.
Why Devconnect Buenos Aires is a Must-Attend Moment
If you’re still on the fence about attending, Candu has one last, compelling message: “Don’t think twice.” Devconnect in Argentina is set to be an unparalleled gathering, bringing together builders, policymakers, investors, artists, and communities into a shared, vibrant space. It’s a rare chance to witness how Ethereum thrives in a real-world context, not just as a technological concept, but as a living, breathing part of daily life and culture.
This isn’t just about experiencing the next big thing in blockchain; it’s about experiencing it through the unique lens of Argentinian warmth, collaboration, and ingenuity. It’s an opportunity to connect with the people building the decentralized future, to absorb the local culture, and to truly understand why Argentina stands as a beacon for what Ethereum can become in the real world.
