The Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC) has solidified its place as Europe’s most influential annual gathering for blockchain innovators, developers, and visionaries. As one of the largest decentralized technology events on the continent, EthCC 2024 brought together over 350 speakers and hosted more than 400 side events across a vibrant week in Brussels — a dynamic shift from its traditional Parisian home due to the 2024 Olympics.
This year’s conference wasn’t just about technical deep dives; it was a convergence of culture, collaboration, and forward-thinking innovation shaping the future of Web3. From zero-knowledge proofs to account abstraction, infrastructure debates to inclusive community building, EthCC 2024 offered a comprehensive look into where blockchain is headed.
Core Themes and Industry Trends at EthCC 2024
Account Abstraction and the Quest for Better UX
One of the most discussed topics throughout the week was account abstraction (AA) — widely seen as a critical step toward mainstream blockchain adoption. The consensus among developers and product teams? Current user experiences in Web3 remain too complex for non-technical users.
Account abstraction simplifies wallet management by enabling smart contract wallets that support features like social recovery, gasless transactions, and multi-factor authentication. This means users no longer need to manage private keys or understand gas fees to interact with dApps.
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By abstracting away the complexity, AA allows everyday users to engage with blockchain applications seamlessly — much like using traditional apps — without compromising security or decentralization. Projects like ERC-4337, Biconomy, and Stackup were frequently cited as pioneers driving this shift.
Infrastructure Fragmentation vs. Scalability Needs
Another hotly debated topic was the so-called “infrastructure war” — the rapid proliferation of Layer 2 solutions and modular blockchains such as Arbitrum, Optimism, ZKsync, Celestia, and Espresso. While these innovations aim to solve Ethereum’s scalability challenges, many attendees questioned whether the ecosystem truly needs so many competing chains.
Despite high valuations and millions in venture funding, several protocols lack real-world applications built on top of them. Investors are pouring capital into infrastructure, but end-user products remain scarce. As one panelist noted: "We’re building highways before there are cars."
The takeaway? True mass adoption won’t come from more L2s — it will come from compelling, user-centric applications that showcase blockchain’s unique value: ownership, transparency, and permissionless innovation.
Zero-Knowledge Proofs: The Future of Privacy and Scaling
Zero-knowledge (ZK) technology took center stage at EthCC 2024. ZK proofs allow one party to verify the truth of a statement without revealing any additional information — a breakthrough for privacy, scalability, and trustless systems.
ZKsync stole the spotlight with their Eli5 Book, a children's-style illustrated guide explaining ZK concepts through friendly animal characters. Originally created by a MatterLabs team member for his kids, the book went viral at ETHDenver and became a must-have collectible at EthCC.
Beyond education, ZK tech is being used to power privacy-preserving transactions, verifiable computation, and scalable rollups. Hackathons like ZK Hack are fueling developer interest, while new cryptographic primitives like zkSNARKs and zkSTARKs continue to evolve.
Bridging Marketing and Technology in Web3
Marketing professionals at EthCC were actively exploring how emerging technologies can enhance user engagement. With limited access to traditional analytics due to privacy constraints, there’s growing demand for platforms that merge on-chain data with behavioral insights.
AI-powered content creation, NFT-based loyalty programs, gamification, and immersive experiences via AR/VR (like Apple Vision Pro) are gaining traction as innovative promotional tools. Meanwhile, POAPs — once novel — have become standard event memorabilia, pushing marketers to find fresh ways to build community connection.
Standout Events and Networking Highlights
While main-stage talks provided valuable insights, many attendees agreed that the real magic happened during side events. These smaller, often invitation-only gatherings fostered deeper conversations and meaningful connections.
Builders’ Brunch by Crypto Girls Club
Kicking off mornings with energy and insight, this event gathered builders focused on consumer-facing DeFi products. Representatives from MetaMask, WalletConnect, and Safe shared strategies for improving accessibility and onboarding mainstream users.
Modular Security Debate by Cartesi
A thought-provoking panel featuring David Hoffman of the Bankless Show, this debate explored the trade-offs between monolithic and modular blockchain architectures. With rising interest in modularity, discussions around data availability, consensus security, and execution layers were both timely and essential.
Open Finance Day by Aave, Chainlink, Uniswap & Aptos
This collaborative summit highlighted interoperability efforts across major DeFi protocols. Attendees explored cross-chain liquidity solutions, oracle enhancements, and governance innovations shaping the next phase of open finance.
Inclusivity in Action: A More Diverse Web3
EthCC 2024 made strides in fostering inclusivity, particularly for women in blockchain. Events like the SheFi Summit at The Merode — a private members’ club in central Brussels — showcased the strength and camaraderie of female leaders in Web3.
Organized by Maggie Love, SheFi brought together female founders, engineers, cryptographers, and marketers, creating a space for mentorship, inspiration, and collaboration. While marketing and developer relations remain popular entry points for women, the presence of technical builders and project leads signals a positive shift toward greater gender balance.
Beyond Code: Community, Culture & Celebration
No blockchain conference is complete without celebration. After days of intense sessions, parties offered vital opportunities for informal networking and connection.
- ZK Sante, hosted by Clave in a historic food hall, united the ZKsync community over drinks and bites.
- A high-energy Masquerade Ball, organized by Avara with a black-and-red rose dress code, dazzled attendees with music, style, and unforgettable moments on the dance floor.
These events reinforced a core truth: behind every protocol and product is a human community driven by shared values and vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is EthCC?
A: EthCC (Ethereum Community Conference) is Europe’s largest annual event dedicated to Ethereum and blockchain technology, featuring talks, workshops, hackathons, and networking opportunities.
Q: Where was EthCC 2024 held?
A: Due to the 2024 Paris Olympics, EthCC moved to Brussels, Belgium — marking its first time hosted outside France.
Q: Why is account abstraction important?
A: It simplifies wallet interactions by enabling features like social recovery and gas sponsorship, making dApps more accessible to non-technical users.
Q: Are zero-knowledge proofs only for privacy?
A: No — while they enhance privacy, ZK proofs are also crucial for scaling blockchains via ZK-rollups and enabling secure off-chain computation.
Q: How can marketers succeed in Web3?
A: By leveraging on-chain analytics, NFTs for engagement, and immersive tech like AR/VR to create authentic brand experiences.
Q: What’s next after EthCC?
A: The next major European event is ETHWarsaw, set for September 5–8, 2025, focusing on Ethereum development and innovation.
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Final Thoughts: Collaboration Is the Catalyst
EthCC 2024 was more than a conference — it was a testament to the power of open collaboration. Whether debating technical architectures or dancing at midnight galas, participants shared a common belief: blockchain’s future belongs to those who build together.
As the community looks ahead to EthCC 2025 in Cannes and other global gatherings like ETHWarsaw, one message resonates clearly: innovation thrives when people connect, share ideas freely, and prioritize usability alongside technological advancement.
The path to mass adoption isn’t paved with more chains — it’s built through better products, inclusive communities, and user-first design.
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