KASmedia had the pleasure of interviewing Luke, the Kaspa Global Ambassador, Kaspa archival node operator, and crypto miner, known on X.com (Twitter) as @elldeeone. We caught up with him after his travels on the Kaspa World Tour to Singapore, Austria, and Dublin, Ireland. 

Token2049 is a leading global cryptocurrency conference that unites innovators, thought leaders, and industry experts from the blockchain ecosystem. Held annually in major financial hubs, it serves as a platform for in-depth discussions on the future of digital assets, decentralized finance, and blockchain and DAG technologies. With over 20,000 attendees from over 7,000 companies, the event features keynote speeches from prominent figures, exclusive panels, and cutting-edge product showcases. Participants gain invaluable insights into emerging trends, regulatory landscapes, and the evolving role of cryptocurrencies in global markets. This September, Luke and others from Kaspa attended Token2049 in Singapore, where they had a booth filled with information about Kaspa and merchandise for attendees.

We also spoke to Luke about the Kaspa Ambassador program and how the community can get involved. 

Token 2049

How does Token2049's 20,000-attendee attendance position itself in terms of global reach and industry influence compared to other major crypto conferences?

Token2049 in Singapore was an incredibly massive event, both in scale and impact. What struck me about this event was the sheer diversity of people worldwide, representing every part of the crypto space. It wasn’t just about the big numbers but the quality of interactions and conversations that could shape the industry's future. This is where ideas collide, collaborations spark, and trends are set. For Kaspa, being part of something so influential was a huge opportunity to connect with the community, hear fresh perspectives, and share what we’re building with a global audience.

What was your biggest takeaway from the event?

One important point that stood out to me was that Kaspa is approaching the crypto landscape in a new and unique way. Instead of using the usual hype-driven marketing tactics, we are dedicated to building something special. This was evident from my discussions with attendees, who were impressed by our focus on genuine innovation rather than relying on traditional KOL influencers or marketing hype.

Were most people who stopped by your booth aware of Kaspa?  

The response was varied. I noticed three distinct groups: some had never heard of Kaspa, others were familiar but unsure about our recent developments, and the hardcore fans were passionate and excited to engage with us. What stood out was how people, even if initially unfamiliar, were intrigued once we explained the project’s foundations. You could see their enthusiasm grow as they realised Kaspa wasn’t just another hype-driven project but something unique. One memory that stands out is a conversation I had with a guy during the day who had never heard of Kaspa before the Kaspa Fam meetup. Later that evening, at the event, he approached me and explained how our chat alone had prompted him to do more research on the project. He ended up buying several Kaspa miners of his own so he could take part! This motivates me to attend these events - the opportunity to share something I'm passionate about with others and then see them go off and learn about it themselves. Love it!

What was the most popular aspect of your booth at Token2049? 

The Kaspa swag was a big hit! We had a great selection; attendees loved our shirts, stickers, socks, and keychains. It was a fun way to attract people and promote Kaspa while giving them something to remember about the project. The giant life-size battle card was also a big success. It makes me proud to see something I helped create with Chad come to life in many ways and languages. This is one of our most powerful tools for educating people – we can stand them in front of the battle card and explain why Kaspa is so unique and worthy of their attention.

Did you receive any specific feedback from the community about Kaspa or your presence at Token2049?

I was truly inspired by the overwhelmingly positive feedback we received when I shared a sneak peek of our booth on X the night before the event. Chad (Rhubarbarian) and his team's craftsmanship made our booth stand out beautifully amidst the typical' crypto land' projects. It was a reminder of the power of great design and the impact it can have when executed correctly.

Given that Kaspa didn't have any speakers at Token2049, were there any specific topics or announcements you wished you could have presented?

I really wanted to see Shai on stage talking about Kaspa and the exciting upcoming developments, like the Crescendo hard fork. Unfortunately, the event organisers didn't give us the chance to showcase Kaspa and didn't invite us to speak. Instead, we decided to use that time and energy to create an impressive booth and organise an awesome Kaspa Fam meetup for the community! This was a great outcome for the community, and I'm proud that we had the opportunity to attend the event.

Were there concerns from attendees about regulatory issues in any of the countries from attendees?

There were concerns, especially around the uncertainty of crypto regulation across various regions. It’s understandable, given that crypto, in comparison to traditional finance, is still very young. To put it in perspective, the global crypto market is only about 1-2% of the size of conventional finance. With such immense growth potential, it’s no surprise that regulations are still catching up. 

Some attendees pointed to El Salvador as an example of how a country can embrace crypto, making Bitcoin legal tender and setting a precedent for others. However, not all regions are so progressive, and there were discussions about the challenges many countries face due to unclear or restrictive regulations. Still, there’s a sense of optimism that regulatory frameworks will evolve to support innovation as crypto matures.

Given the diverse international audience at Token2049, what challenges and opportunities did this present?

This presents a fantastic opportunity. The ability to connect with attendees from such diverse backgrounds is what makes these in-person events so critical! As mentioned earlier, because Kaspa doesn’t pay anyone to talk about the project, we must have passionate people in the project sharing their passion with all members of the public naturally. People respond best to learning about unique technology when they learn in their own time, not by what is shoved down their throats. The way I see it, shill-type content is for short-term gains, whereas natural content is for going the distance and will stick in a person's mind to truly educate them on what we are building.

What were the most prominent or recurring themes discussed at the conference?

This is difficult because I didn't have a chance to step away from the booth. Unfortunately, all the themes I discussed were related to the conversations at the Kaspa booth.

Can you highlight any particular themes that you believe will significantly impact the industry's future, specifically on Kaspa?

I firmly believe that emphasizing Real-World Assets (RWA) and establishing meaningful connections between crypto and the real world will significantly impact the industry's future. For the past few years, crypto has been building strictly pseudo-anonymously, but now it's time to connect with the real world so that we can enter the next phase of adoption.

The Token2049 page claims that over 70% of attendees are in the C-level. How did Kaspa leverage this opportunity to establish new business relationships or partnerships?

I cannot provide specific details, but this experience was very beneficial. As a part of the team, we frequently communicate with executives from diverse backgrounds. However, meeting them in person and discussing ideas is the most effective way to stimulate growth.

Kaspa Ambassador Program

Can you please tell us a little bit about what you look for when selecting ambassadors for the program?

When we choose ambassadors for the Kaspa Ambassador Program, we seek individuals who are already enthusiastic about Kaspa and actively involved in the community. Ideally, we want ambassadors who discuss Kaspa on their social platforms, engage with the community, and share their knowledge. We place great emphasis on finding ambassadors who embody Kaspa’s values of integrity, community focus, and authenticity. Ambassadors should show genuine enthusiasm for Kaspa’s technology and vision, rather than seeking recognition through titles or roles. It's important that they align with Kaspa's ethos and contribute to its long-term goals.

What are the requirements to participate?

To become an ambassador, participants need to meet certain requirements. Firstly, they must have a strong presence in the Kaspa community, demonstrating their involvement either online (through social media, Discord, etc.) or through in-person activities such as meetups. They should have been active in the community for at least 4 months, and it’s essential that they have references from other established Kaspa community members to vouch for their character and involvement.

Additionally, we’ve implemented restrictions to ensure ambassadors remain impartial—ambassadors cannot be directly involved in token projects or mining manufacturers. This helps maintain the program’s credibility and ensures that we provide unbiased guidance.

How can our readers participate? 

Participating in discussions on platforms such as Discord, Telegram, and social media is a good way to start. By sharing knowledge, interacting with others, and contributing to conversations, individuals can form connections within the community.

After establishing themselves within the community and feeling confident that they meet the ambassador requirements, readers can apply through the official Kaspa Ambassador Program application form, which can be found here: https://forms.gle/SN4eTHf7bxvjYQ2a8 

The application process includes an interview, quiz, and vetting procedure to ensure that applicants align with the program's standards and values.

What kind of roles are you looking for?

At a high level, we’re looking for individuals who are passionate about Kaspa and are natural leaders within their communities. We want people who are proactive, engaged, and ready to share Kaspa’s vision, both online and offline. Ambassadors should be capable of fostering community growth and education, whether through hosting events, participating in discussions, or creating valuable content.

We’re seeking ambassadors who understand Kaspa’s technology and embody the project's ethos. These ambassadors will help guide others in a way that reflects Kaspa’s values of authenticity, integrity, and decentralization. 

Can you provide a few examples of how the ambassadors program and the ambassadors themselves have helped reach a global audience for Kaspa?

The Kaspa Ambassador Program has been instrumental in expanding Kaspa’s reach across the globe. Our ambassadors have hosted local meetups, participated in global events, and worked tirelessly to promote Kaspa in their respective regions. They’ve played a key role in educating communities about the benefits and technical aspects of Kaspa, helping to bridge the gap between complex technology and real-world applications.

Additionally, ambassadors have created region-specific content and educational resources (such as our Battlecard, now translated into 19 languages!), which are tailored to different languages and cultures. This has helped Kaspa gain visibility in areas that might otherwise be difficult to reach, growing our global presence in a grassroots, community-driven way.