Astar is a multi-chain smart contract that currently supports various EVMs of Ethereum.
The blockchain wave is sweeping the world, but the true innovation seems to still originate from the United States. It is commonly believed that the West excels in innovation of underlying protocols, while the East is better at platforms and operations. However, every country has its own project protocols. When mentioning South Korea, we think of the collapsing Terra. When mentioning India, we think of the crazy performance of Polygon in the last bull market. When mentioning China Hong Kong, we think of the domestic public chain Conflux. But what about Japan?
In the latter half of the last century, Japan was known globally for its expertise in electronic manufacturing and gave birth to a number of globally renowned Fortune 500 companies. However, it fell far behind in the subsequent internet wave, to the extent that it has not produced any well-known brands since then. Now, in the blockchain wave, Japan has designated it as a national strategy and is making every effort to accelerate its development. As the largest public chain project in Japan, Astar Network is also actively developing its ecosystem. Astar is a multi-chain smart contract that currently supports various EVMs of Ethereum.
Recently, Foresight News interviewed the founder of Astar Network, Sota Watanabe, uncovering its mystery.
Sota’s first trip abroad was to India in his freshman year, where he personally experienced the severity of poverty and environmental problems, sparking his desire to solve these issues. He later went to a blockchain company in the United States for research and then decided to return to Japan to start his own business. He became a researcher at the University of Tokyo and developed his public chain project with his friends.
This year, Astar not only updated its Staking V3 and token economics, but also collaborated with Polygon to launch Astar zkEVM to enter Layer 2.
Foresight News: Let’s talk about your background first. You mentioned that you had some interaction in India and then unexpectedly encountered blockchain. Can you talk about how you entered this industry specifically?
Sota: My experience in India showed me many social challenges, which motivated me to find ways to make real changes. When I discovered blockchain, I believed it was a powerful tool to help solve these problems. It is a new technology full of possibilities, and the so-called experts have not saturated it yet. This made it an area for me to deeply research and have an impact, eventually leading to the creation of Astar Network.
Foresight News: We can see that blockchain projects are still concentrated in Europe and the United States, and the Asia-Pacific region is also developing and catching up, but there is still a certain gap. How do you view the cultural and technological differences between Europe and the United States and the Asia-Pacific region?
Sota: The Western world is leading in blockchain because they take more risks and are willing to support new ideas. However, the Asia-Pacific region is catching up rapidly, especially in terms of technology and the personnel ready 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 and 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 like 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 highly 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 take a leading position in the blockchain field, laying the foundation for growth and adoption in Japan and even globally.
Foresight News: What cultural or technological advantages or disadvantages does Japan have in doing blockchain projects?
Sota: In Japan, we have a favorable environment because people value new technologies, and the country has a strong technological system. Additionally, Japan is doing better in formulating blockchain rules, which is helpful. However, there may also be some difficulties because Japanese companies are usually very cautious and slow to change, especially when it comes to new technologies like blockchain. Furthermore, due to strict regulations, it may take longer for new things to have an impact 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 manufacturing high-quality products. In the long run, this helps us build strong and trustworthy projects.
Foresight News: Do you think Japan’s policy on 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 openness in supporting 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 Layer 2
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, improves 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 want to focus on this direction?
Sota: Astar Network has established a strategic partnership with Polygon Labs and launched Astar zkEVM, aiming to enhance the scalability of Ethereum with the support of Polygon’s technology. This collaboration is not only intended to drive the development of Ethereum but also to accelerate the broader adoption of Web3 technology in markets including Japan. By leveraging Polygon CDK (Chain Development Kit), Astar zkEVM will introduce innovative L2 solutions and contribute to the Ethereum community.
Overseas expansion
Foresight News: Ethereum NFT has been quiet for quite some time. In your opinion, what is the reason for this? Does Astar Network have any progress or thoughts on NFT?
Sota: The NFT sector on Ethereum may seem quiet, but behind the scenes, it is not calm. At Astar Network, we are exploring new uses for NFTs beyond collectibles, 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 areas such as digital art and entertainment. 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 broader audience.
Foresight News: Will Astar consider expanding to the Asia-Pacific region beyond Japan, or will it only focus 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 huge. Our goal is to create a Web3 ecosystem that meets local demands while promoting global connectivity. Our journey starts in Japan, but our vision is to become a bridge for the Asia-Pacific region and global Web3.
Tags:
Astar Network
NFT
Polygon
WEB3
zkEVM
Ethereum
Japan
United States
Source link:
https://foresightnews.pro/article/detail/59855
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