Inside BNB Chain's MVB for Web3 Startups and Hong Kong Super Meetup

Major Web3 ecosystems organize gatherings around the world to ensure that market dips or macroeconomic crises do not hinder the development and the “BUIDL” philosophy of the blockchain community. Two back-to-back events in Hong Kong — the BNB Chain Super Meetup and the exclusive Most Valuable Builder (MVB) Season 9 Offsite — brought together some of the brightest minds in the blockchain space.

Leaders like Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin, Tron’s Justin Sun and other key figures joined to share insights on where Web3 is headed. Hosted during the Hong Kong Web3 Festival on April 5 and 6, BNB Chain gatherings bridged the gaps between chains and projects to chart the path toward broader adoption and transformative applications.

The BNB Super Meetup included panels like Unlocking the Last Mile of On-Chain Transactions: Infrastructure Empowerment for the Meme Sector, Web3 Startup Alchemy: From 0 to 1, How Does MVB Incubate the Next Breakout Project?, DeFi: The Web3 Cornerstone Powering Every Sector, and On-Chain AI: Evaluating Real Adoption Beyond the Buzz.

MVB panels and keynote presentations covered topics like Finding Product-Market Fit, Fundraising Strategies, Web3 GTM, User Growth Flywheels and The Role of Trading Firms, along with the opportunity for projects to network with media, VCs and KOLs.

Here are the major takeaways from BNB Chain Super Meetup and MVB Season 9 offsite:

Memecoins versus real fundamentals

During his fireside chat with Justin Sun at the BNB Chain Super Meetup, CZ acknowledged the continued buzz around memecoins. He conceded they can introduce a sense of creativity and fun within the crypto community, but he cautioned against placing all bets on trending tokens without real utility.

Justin Sun’s fireside chat with CZ kicked off the BNB Chain Super Meetup. Source: BNB Chain

Emphasizing that authentic, meaningful projects are essential to keep the ecosystem strong, CZ advised builders to avoid rushing into token issuance. Instead, they should devote time to solving real problems and creating products that align with genuine market needs.

BNB Chain’s evolving mission

CZ admitted that early on, BNB Chain sometimes lacked a distinct focus. However, the chain is now doubling down on real use cases, recognizing that staying aware of emerging trends — like AI, DeFi and decentralized science — will help future-proof the ecosystem.

BNB Chain is also investing in infrastructure to strengthen its builder ecosystem and is offering incentives to support innovative startups. According to CZ, this includes liquidity provider rewards, investment opportunities through YZi Labs and other initiatives designed to mentor early-stage teams.

Vitalik Buterin on AI and decentralization

While the mention of Vitalik Buterin immediately summons thoughts on the Ethereum blockchain, his presence at BNB Chain’s MVB Season 9 off-site event in Hong Kong highlighted the spirit of crosschain collaboration. During a Q&A session alongside CZ, Buterin touched on two crucial themes: AI’s role in shaping blockchain technology and the future of decentralized governance.

Vitalik suggested that privacy-preserving AI could solve some of the most persistent challenges in decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) governance. By simulating votes or actions in a secure environment, AI could offer advanced forecasting tools that ensure more efficient coordination.

CZ and Vitalik were the highlight of the MVB Season 9 offsite event. Source: BNB Chain

Meanwhile, CZ praised AI’s potential to optimize trading strategies, citing examples such as front-running protection and onchain liquidity analysis. He noted that natural language models could one day execute trades on users’ behalf, ushering in what he called “next-generation user interfaces.”

During their conversation, CZ talked about donating $10 million to support Vitalik’s open-source vaccine initiative, showcasing the potential of blockchain to drive global impact.

Government interest and crosschain collaboration

At both events, the recurring theme was the growing momentum of governments exploring blockchain and digital identity solutions. CZ pointed to conversations where he now finds officials reaching out to him, whereas, in the past, he had to approach them. This shift reflects a heightened willingness among policymakers to consider decentralized identity, digital wallets for visa applications and onchain solutions for tasks like bank account verification and land ownership registration.

The presence of representatives from various projects, including BNB Chain, Ethereum, Tron and Solana, reinforced a narrative of collaboration over competition. Builders and leaders converged around the importance of working together toward mainstream adoption, often sharing the sentiment that when the broader ecosystem thrives, everyone benefits.

Yi He on building teams and culture

Yi He, co-founder of Binance, spoke virtually to the MVB Season 9 cohort, offering a rare glimpse into the internal principles that shaped one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges. She stressed the importance of a strong culture, emphasizing leadership that is both collaborative and aligned with a shared vision.

Source: BNB Chain

For startup founders navigating a bear market or wrestling with limited resources, Yi He’s advice carried weight. Success, she said, depends on teams that trust one another and remain committed to a long-term goal, rather than chasing short-term hype. This focus on organizational ethos is especially crucial in a sector where market conditions can shift overnight.

CZ’s book recommendation and advice for newcomers

Aside from deep discussions into decentralization and AI, CZ also offered guidance for those taking their first steps into the crypto world. He highlighted the importance of not investing more than you can afford to lose, choosing projects with solid fundamentals and considering a dollar-cost averaging strategy for a more measured approach.

To illustrate how innovative ideas can grow into thriving ecosystems, CZ pointed attendees to “The Nvidia Way,” a book that details the early days and community-building strategy behind the hardware giant. By sharing personal anecdotes, such as his daily workout routine and his passion for kite surfing, CZ emphasized that crypto is as much about human connections and perseverance as it is about technology.

Pushing boundaries with the MVB program

Ella Zhang, head of YZi Labs, used the MVB Season 9 off-site to introduce the lab’s vision for the future. Positioned at the intersection of AI, Web3 and biotech, YZi Labs aims to support founders who move beyond hype cycles to craft real, lasting solutions. Zhang underscored the importance of technical diligence, hands-on mentorship and purpose-driven innovation.

YZi Labs’ Ella Zhang discussing purpose-driven innovation. Source: BNB Chain

For the 16 early-stage projects selected for MVB Season 9, this meant access to strategic guidance from global leaders alongside capital. The projects were categorized as:

• AI: BitGPT, Datai Network, Echopy, Eurexa AI, Everlyn, JoJoWorld, Super Protocol, and TermiX.
• DeFi: BitFi and LIKWID.
• DePIN: XPIN.
• DeSci: Stadium Science and Citadel Labs.
• Gaming and entertainment: Oneverse and TCOM Global.
• Infrastructure: Pieverse.

Over two days, participants shared best practices, discussed trading strategies, exchanged hiring tips and heard inspirational stories of growth from industry veterans.

CZ and Vitalik’s joint appearance served as a potent reminder of the cross-pollination happening in blockchain. The MVB program is designed to harness that spirit, fostering a space where collaboration trumps competition and where the emphasis is on utility.