Author: 1912212.eth, Foresight News

The blockchain wave is sweeping the globe, but the true source of innovation seems to still be in the United States. A common saying is that the West excels in innovating underlying protocols, while the East excels in platforms and operations. Setting aside these arguments, every country has its own project protocols. When it comes to South Korea, we think of the collapsed Terra; when it comes to India, we think of the crazy performance of Polygon in the last bull market; when it comes to Hong Kong, China, we think of the domestic public chain Conflux, and what about Japan?

This country, known globally for its expertise in electronics manufacturing in the latter half of the last century, gave birth to a group of Fortune 500 companies, but fell behind significantly in the subsequent internet wave, to the extent that no well-known brands have emerged since. Now, under the blockchain wave, Japan has designated it as a national strategy and is making every effort to accelerate its layout. As Japan's largest public chain project, Astar Network is also rapidly developing its ecosystem. Astar is a multi-chain smart contract that currently supports various EVMs of Ethereum.

Recently, Foresight News interviewed Sota Watanabe, the founder of Astar Network, unveiling its mystery.

Sota's first trip abroad was to India during his freshman year, where he first experienced the severity of poverty and environmental issues, sparking his desire to address these problems. He later worked at a blockchain company in the United States and then decided to start a business in Japan, becoming a researcher at the University of Tokyo and developing a public chain project with friends.

This year, Astar not only updated its Staking V3, and revised its token economics, but also collaborated with Polygon to launch Astar zkEVM to enter the L2.

Japanese Market and Europe and America

Foresight News: Let's first talk about your background. You mentioned that you had some intersection in India and later encountered blockchain unexpectedly. Can you talk specifically about how you entered this industry?

Sota: My experience in India showed me many social challenges, which inspired me to find ways to make real change. When I discovered blockchain, I believed it was a powerful tool to help solve these problems. It was a new technology full of possibilities, and the so-called experts had not yet saturated it. This made it an area for me to delve into and make an impact, ultimately leading to the creation of Astar Network.

Foresight News: We see that blockchain projects are still concentrated in Europe and America, while the Asia-Pacific region is also thriving and catching up, but there is still a certain gap. How do you view the cultural and technological differences between Europe and America and the Asia-Pacific region?

Sota: The Western world is leading in blockchain because they take on more risks and are willing to support new ideas. However, the Asia-Pacific region is rapidly catching up, especially in terms of technology and the personnel prepared to use these technologies. In Japan, the government does support blockchain to help its development. The differences between these regions are not only challenges but also opportunities. They are opportunities for us to work together to make blockchain bigger on a global scale.

Foresight News: From a global perspective, Japanese projects are relatively few. What is the reason for Astar Network to choose to develop in Japan?

Sota: Although Japan has fewer blockchain projects compared to other Web3 centers such as the United States and Singapore, Astar Network decided to develop in Japan because it aligns with the country's positive stance on innovation and technology. Japan has a unique ecosystem characterized by strong government support for technology, advanced technological infrastructure, and a high-skilled talent pool. This environment is conducive to the development of blockchain technology. This strategic choice reflects the belief in leveraging Japan's technological advantages and regulatory framework to lead in the blockchain field, laying the foundation for growth and adoption in Japan and globally.

Foresight News: What cultural or technological advantages or disadvantages does Japan have in doing blockchain projects?

Sota: In Japan, we have a good environment because people value new technology, and the country has a strong technical system. Additionally, Japan is doing better in formulating blockchain rules, which is very helpful. However, this may also face some difficulties because Japanese companies are usually very cautious and slow to change, especially in new technologies like blockchain. Furthermore, due to strict regulations, it may take longer for new things to take effect here.

Despite these challenges, Japan is still a good place for the development of blockchain projects because people trust the technology here, and we are known for producing high-quality products. In the long run, this helps us build strong and trustworthy projects.

Foresight News: Do you think Japan's policy towards blockchain is relatively friendly or strict?

Sota: Japan maintains a balanced position on blockchain. As one of the earliest countries to regulate cryptocurrency exchanges, it has shown open support for the development of this technology. However, its regulations, such as cryptocurrency taxation, are considered strict. The government aims to maintain a balance between innovation and regulation, hoping to promote the development of blockchain while ensuring security and compliance.

Astar Develops zkEVM to Enter L2

Foresight News: Astar Network has been very active recently. We see that Staking V3 has been released. What are the major updates?

Sota: The new dApps Stake V3 makes earning rewards easier, enhances security, and simplifies the way developers manage applications on Astar Network. This is to make things easier and safer for every participant.

Foresight News: We also noticed that Astar has launched zkEVM. How do you view zkEVM? Why does Astar consider focusing in this direction?

Sota: Astar Network has established a strategic partnership with Polygon Labs to launch Astar zkEVM, aiming to enhance the scalability of Ethereum with the support of Polygon's technology. This collaboration is not only aimed at promoting the development of Ethereum but also at accelerating the broader adoption of Web3 technology in markets including Japan. By leveraging the Polygon CDK (Chain Development Kit), Astar zkEVM will introduce innovative L2 solutions, contributing to the Ethereum community.

Overseas Expansion

Foresight News: Ethereum NFT has been quiet for quite some time. In your opinion, what is the reason? Does Astar Network have any progress or thoughts on NFT?

Sota: The NFT sector on Ethereum may seem quiet, but it is not calm behind the scenes. At Astar Network, we are exploring new uses for NFTs beyond collecting, such as in finance and gaming. We are also making NFT transactions cheaper and more efficient. Importantly, we are collaborating with Japanese companies to integrate NFTs into real-world applications, aiming to innovate in digital art, entertainment, and other fields. Through these efforts and strategic partnerships with Polygon, we are working to inject vitality into the NFT ecosystem and make it more relevant to a wider audience.

Foresight News: Will Astar consider expanding beyond Japan to other Asia-Pacific regions, or will it focus only on the Japanese market?

Sota: As Astar Network, our vision extends from Japan to the entire Asia-Pacific region and beyond. While Japan is our foundation, the potential and diverse needs of the Asia-Pacific market are significant. Our goal is to create a Web3 ecosystem that meets local needs while promoting global connectivity. Our journey begins in Japan, but our vision is to become a bridge for the Asia-Pacific region and global Web3.

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