Today, I sit down with Ryan Kim, Founding Partner at Hashed, one of the most influential Web3 venture firms in Korea and Asia. With deep roots in the early days of crypto and a front-row seat to the growth of the Asian blockchain ecosystem, Ryan shares unique insights into how the Korean Web3 landscape has evolved—both culturally and technically—and what founders need to understand to succeed in this market. We explore how Hashed grew from a group of early crypto believers into a globally recognized venture fund, and how Korea became a critical node in the Web3 world. From regulatory nuances to shifting consumer behaviors, Ryan unpacks the dynamics shaping the next chapter of decentralized innovation across Asia.
Episode Highlights with Timestamps:
[00:00] Childhood Mathematics & Working in big data companies.
[03:49] Getting started in web3
[06:24] David vs Goliath: Web3/Open Source vs Big Tech.[08:54] Venture Syndicates. HODL.
[11:29] Kimchi Premium. How Hashed became the #1 platform in South Korea.
[15:27] The Hashed team. How they support web3 startup founders.
[19:10] The Korean Web3 market. Riding the bear & bull waves.
About Our Guest
Ryan Kim is the Founding Partner of Hashed, a globally recognized Web3 venture fund. What started as a personal experiment in crypto soon grew into a deep belief in the power of decentralization and community-led innovation. That conviction became the foundation for Hashed—a fund dedicated to backing visionary founders in Korea and across the global Web3 ecosystem.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY
HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU