Key Takeaways
- Erica Kang is the CEO and founder of KryptoSeoul, a global community focused on Web3 and blockchain in Korea.
- She has a background in International Policy and Relations, with leadership experience in education and professional work.
- Erica transitioned to blockchain in 2017, founding KryptoSeoul, which organizes global meetups and conferences like BUIDL Asia.
Who Is Erica Kang?
Erica Kang is the CEO and founder of KryptoSeoul, a community focused on Web3 technologies in Korea with a global influence. Before starting KryptoSeoul, Erica spent nearly five years leading a global blockchain community and created her social token, EST.
She has a Master’s in International Policy Studies from Stanford University (2009-2011), where she was active in the Korean Student Association. Erica also holds a Bachelor’s in International Relations from Ewha Womans University (2004-2008), where she founded Rize, a girls’ hip-hop dance club, showing her leadership and passion for dance.
Early Career
Junior Analyst at Hana Daetoo Investment Bank
Erica worked as a Junior Analyst at Hana Daetoo Investment Bank in Seoul, South Korea, from August 2008 to June 2009. She was a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) team, where her job was to review companies to see if they were good candidates for M&A. This included looking at different companies’ financial health, market position, and growth potential to help make important decisions in the M&A process.
Assistant Manager at KT
In September 2011, Erica joined KT, a top telecommunications company in Seoul, as an Assistant Manager. At first, she managed the IT CEO Forum, a conference for leaders in the South Korean IT industry.
She also helped connect startups with big companies, including KT. Later, Erica was promoted to the Group Strategy Team, working directly under the CEO. In this role, she looked for ways to create opportunities between KT, its other companies, and potential partners, and she helped the CEO organize important VIP conferences.
Advisor at Korea Blockchain Association
From January 2018 to February 2019, Erica worked as an Advisor to the Korea Blockchain Association in Seoul for over a year. The association, which includes more than 60 companies in Korea’s blockchain industry, turned to Erica for advice and support.
Blockchain Career and Projects
After leaving a big Korean company in early 2017, Erica focused on the new business industry. She became interested in blockchain after talking with a friend who was also interested in new businesses and blockchain. Her curiosity led her to attend a blockchain meetup, where she met her future employer and got her first job in the crypto industry. She was also contacted by several people who later became CEOs of important blockchain projects in Korea.
All About KryptoSeoul
KryptoSeoul is a global community focused on blockchain and Web3 technologies. Founded by Erica Kang, it connects people worldwide through meetups and events. KryptoSeoul supports blockchain growth and connects Korea with the global blockchain network.
KryptoSeoul Global Meetups
KryptoSeoul has hosted a series of high-participation meetings with 2.3K members in the KryptoSeoul Meetup group. Since March 2018, these events have occurred in cities like Seoul, Lisbon, New York City, San Francisco, Tokyo, Denver, and Osaka. The meetups have been held with blockchain projects like Ethereum, Zcash, Cosmos, Kadena, Filecoin, Quantstamp, RSK, Dfinity, Polkadot, Samsung NEXT, Origin Protocol, and others.
BUIDL Asia Conference
BUIDL Asia Conference is a technical crypto conference in various countries across Asia. The event attracts top industry players and experts, with sponsorship from well-known companies such as LINE, Cosmos, Avalanche, SK Telecom, and Klaytn. The conference focuses on the latest developments in blockchain technology and crypto innovations, providing a platform for networking, learning, and sharing knowledge among professionals in the industry.
The Erica Show
With over 6,000 subscribers on YouTube, this series features important people in the crypto industry. Since September 2020, Erica has conducted over 50 interviews, hosting well-known guests like Vitalik Buterin, SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, Emin Gun Sirer, Andre Cronje, Anatoly Yakovenko, Sam Bankman-Fried, and others.
Global Partnerships and Ecosystem Building
As the founder of KryptoSeoul, Erica has built strong relationships with blockchain projects and organizations worldwide. These connections are important for promoting Web3 technologies and helping KryptoSeoul grow as a major part of the global blockchain community. Erica aims to connect the Korean market with global blockchain progress, ensuring Korea stays a leader in blockchain development.
Vision and Web3 Support
Apart from her work with KryptoSeoul and blockchain projects, Erica strongly supports Web3 technology. She helps develop decentralized apps (dApps) and connects blockchain projects worldwide with communities in Korea. Her goal is to create a decentralized future where technology gives people more power, new ideas, and encourages global teamwork in the crypto industry.
Final Thoughts
Erica Kang has become a key leader in the world of blockchain and Web3. As the CEO and founder of KryptoSeoul, she has built a global community that connects Korea with the rest of the blockchain industry. With her background in international relations and strong leadership skills, Erica made a successful change to blockchain in 2017. Through KryptoSeoul, global meetups, and events like BUIDL Asia, Erica is helping shape the future of crypto and supporting the growth of decentralized technology worldwide.
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