Towards a Web3.0 Focused on Fundamentals, Not Speculation — An Interview with Mai Fujimoto, INTMAX

What is your outlook for the Web3.0 sector beyond 2025?

Mai Fujimoto (hereinafter, Fujimoto): Blockchain has long been anticipated as a revolutionary technology capable of transforming the world. However, to be honest, we are currently facing a challenging period. In the past, I have said that speculation is a necessary process to bring in new participants, but I now feel that it has gone too far.

Nearly 15 years have passed since the emergence of blockchain, yet while AI, biotechnology, and other technologies that directly benefit people continue to advance, the blockchain industry remains largely fixated on speculation rather than technological innovation. It makes me wonder, "Is this really helping people?" and "Did we set out to create something meaningful, or just meme coins featuring dogs, cats, and frogs?" For the first time, I feel disheartened.

The playful, community-driven culture is certainly part of crypto’s identity. However, if we lose sight of the fundamental principles of blockchain—decentralization, transparency, and security—we risk being left with nothing but an empty shell, devoid of substance. That concerns me deeply.

I know that many industry professionals are among the readers of Iolite, and I urge you to join me in changing this environment. For those who are new to this space, I want them to see that Web3.0 is about more than speculation—it has the potential to bring real, revolutionary value to people's lives.