Proposed location: Jakarta, Indonesia
Why is Jakarta a great place to host Ethereum events?
Jakarta is the heart of Southeast Asia’s digital economy and a central hub for a new “on-chain” generation that has matured through one of the world’s most rigorous regulatory evolutions. Indonesia has journeyed from an early, fragmented market under Bappebti to a sophisticated, institution-ready ecosystem under the Financial Services Authority (OJK), a transition cemented by the landmark P2SK Law which officially classifies crypto as digital financial assets. This journey has been defined by proactive clarity—from navigating complex “regulatory hedge” cases to the government’s direct involvement in fostering innovation through the Infinity Hackathon and Accelerator—a joint initiative by the Ministry of Creative Economy (Ekraf), Bank Indonesia, and OJK. Today, with over 19 million registered traders and a national strategic focus on Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization, Indonesia has moved beyond mere speculation toward becoming a global leader in blockchain utility. By hosting Devcon IX in Jakarta, the Ethereum Community has an unprecedented opportunity to provide technical expertise to the world’s only National Crypto Bourse (CFX) and collaborate with a sovereign state that is actively building the legal and technical rails for a decentralized future at a national scale.
Country and Entry
1. What are the visa restrictions for the country?
Indonesia offers Visa on Arrival (VoA) and e-Visa options for over 90 countries. For major international events, the government often facilitates streamlined entry for attendees.
2. How easy is the international access?
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) is a primary global gateway with robust direct connectivity from major international hubs:
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Europe: Direct service from Amsterdam (Garuda Indonesia).
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Middle East: Major hubs including Dubai (Emirates), Doha (Qatar Airways, Garuda), Abu Dhabi (Etihad), Muscat (Oman Air), and Jeddah/Medina (Saudia, Garuda).
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Asia: Direct flights from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Tokyo (Narita & Haneda), Seoul (Incheon), Hong Kong, Taipei, Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
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Oceania: Direct service from Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth.
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Note: While there are no current direct flights from the Americas, 1-stop connections via Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, or Doha offer seamless transit for US-based attendees.
3. What about the safety and political stability of the region?
Jakarta is a stable metropolitan center with a proven track record of hosting high-level diplomatic and tech summits under comprehensive security frameworks.
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The 43rd ASEAN Summit (2023): Hosted leaders from across Asia-Pacific and North America with zero security incidents.
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G20 Presidential Events (2022): While the main summit was in Bali, Jakarta hosted numerous Ministerial and Working Group meetings involving global finance and tech leaders.
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International Trade & Tech Expos: Annually hosts massive gatherings like Indonesia Comic Con, the Franchise and License Expo, and the International Conference on Cryptocurrency, AI, and Machine Learning (ICCAIML).
- How expensive are venue rentals, accommodation, food, and transport?
Venues: Large-scale centers like ICE BSD or JCC are competitively priced compared to Western hubs.
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Accommodation: Options range from affordable boutique hotels ($40/night) to world-class luxury ($250+/night).
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Food & Transport: Extremely affordable, with meals at $5–$20 and efficient ride-hailing services like Gojek and Grab costing $3–$10 across the city.
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When is the climate the best?
The best window is the dry season (May to September), featuring sunny days and tropical evenings perfect for outdoor side events.
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City and Venue
1. How easy is the transportation in the city (between venues, airport, etc.)?
Excellent connectivity via the MRT, LRT, and highly reliable ride-hailing networks (Gojek, Grab, Maxim). Proximity to the airport via dedicated toll roads ensures ease of movement. CGK Airport is 30-45 minutes away from most of the venues.
2. Are there modern venues (WiFi/Maneuverability/Catering)?
Modern Venues Options:
Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE BSD): This venue is the largest in Indonesia and one of the largest in Southeast Asia, offering a modern, “green” building design that is purpose-built for massive international exhibitions and concerts.
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Location: Situated in the BSD City suburb of Tangerang, approximately 30-40km from Central Jakarta. It is near the AEON Mall and several large international hotels in the Serpong area.
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WiFi & Tech: Provides complimentary “ICE FREE” Wi-Fi throughout the venue for visitors. The complex is designed as a “green building,” utilizing natural light to reduce energy consumption in the halls during daytime.
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Capacity: A massive 220,000 sqm total site area. It features 10 exhibition halls (50,000 sqm total indoor), a 4,000 sqm convention hall, and 33 meeting rooms. The parking complex can accommodate up to 5,000 cars.
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Catering: Features an in-house catering service called SALT All Day Dining. They specialize in high-volume event catering with a range of Western, Asian, and Indonesian menus.
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Maneuverability: Excellent for logistics; trucks have direct access to exhibition halls. The halls are interconnected by a 1.2 km pre-function lobi, allowing for seamless crowd flow between sections.
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Past Events: GAIIAS (Indonesia International Auto Show), IndoBuildTech, and major concerts for artists like Katy Perry and Selena Gomez.
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Limitations: The primary downside is the distance from Central Jakarta; traffic can make the commute over 2 hours during peak times, and public transport options (like the Commuter Line) require additional shuttle transfers.
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Website: ice-indonesia.com
Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) & GBK Compound: The JCC remains the prestigious, historic heart of Indonesia’s diplomatic and commercial landscape. Situated within the sprawling Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Sports Complex, it offers an unmatched legacy of hosting global heads of state and world-class summits in the center of the city.
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Location: Strategically anchored in the Senayan Central Business District. The venue is connected via an air-conditioned underground tunnel to the Sultan Hotel and is within walking distance of prime retail hubs like Senayan City and Plaza Senayan. The compound is encircled by a high density of 5-star hotels (Fairmont, Mulia, Ritz-Carlton, Artotel) and offers superior transit connectivity via the Istora Mandiri MRT Station, TransJakarta BRT, and seamless ride-hailing access.
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WiFi & Tech: While maintaining its classic architecture, the facility has undergone a massive digital transformation. As of late 2025, the GBK area serves as a pilot for Cisco Wi-Fi 7 “Smart Stadium” infrastructure, providing ultra-high-speed, low-latency connectivity across the complex. Industrial-grade outdoor connectivity in Plaza Timur now rivals indoor enterprise systems, specifically optimized for high-density blockchain and tech events.
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Capacity: The JCC provides ~30,000 sqm of indoor space, accommodating up to 17,500 attendees across its 5,000-seat Plenary Hall, massive exhibition halls (A & B), and 13 meeting rooms. By integrating the wider GBK Compound, the event footprint expands to include the iconic Istora Senayan (~9,000 pax) and the vast Plaza Timur outdoor area, capable of facilitating 15,000–30,000+ additional guests for decentralized festival zones.
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Catering: The JCC operates with an exclusive, ISO-certified in-house catering team known for high-volume, 5-star banquet service. However, the GBK Compound offers total flexibility for outdoor zones; the Plaza Timur area allows for the integration of food trucks, local SME (UMKM) vendors, and specialized third-party caterers, creating a community “Food Festival” atmosphere that serves as a vibrant counterpoint to the formal indoor sessions.
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Maneuverability: The venue is uniquely equipped with an on-site bonded warehouse, allowing for accelerated customs clearance and secure storage for temporarily imported international tech equipment—a critical advantage for global productions.
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Past Events: A long-standing record of hosting high-stakes events, including the 43rd ASEAN Summit (2023), the 18th Asian Games (2018), the 10th Non-Aligned Movement Summit, and decades of the Java Jazz Festival, INACRAFT, Coldplay Concert, and BlackPink Concert.
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Limitations: While technically upgraded, the indoor exhibition halls have a smaller footprint compared to newer venues like ICE or NICE. Additionally, parking is managed by the central GBK authority, which can lead to high demand during peak event periods within the sports park.
Nusantara International Convention Exhibition (NICE): As Indonesia’s newest state-of-the-art facility (Soft Opening August 2025), NICE is a premier exhibition hub designed to meet the technical demands of high-density global tech summits. Located in the rapidly emerging “smart region” between Tangerang and North Jakarta, it serves as the gateway to the massive PIK 2 township development.
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Location: Exceptionally positioned for international logistics, NICE is only 7–10 minutes from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK). It is surrounded by the vibrant coastal life of PIK 1 and PIK 2, offering a mix of luxury and budget accommodations alongside a world-renowned culinary scene.
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WiFi & Tech: Built with 2025-standard infrastructure, the venue features the most advanced fiber-optic and cabling backbone in the country. Specifically engineered for high-density usage (e.g., esports and major tech conferences), it offers ISP flexibility and “plug-and-play” rigging points with high load capacities to support complex, large-scale production.
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Capacity: NICE offers a combined indoor footprint of ~41,600 sqm across two mirrored buildings (A and B), capable of hosting 40,000+ guests in a standing setup or 16,000–20,000 in a theater-style configuration. An additional 30,000 sqm of outdoor courtyard and terrace space provides an ideal venue for an “Ethereum Village,” food festivals, or open-air after-parties.
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Catering: The venue offers a flexible, partner-led catering model. Unlike traditional hotel-bound venues, NICE allows for a curated selection of Jakarta’s top catering partners, complemented by the surrounding PIK 2 F&B ecosystem. This allows for diverse, high-quality partnership opportunities with local culinary tenants.
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Maneuverability: Designed for heavy-duty logistics, the facility features industrial-grade floor loads (up to 5.0 tons/sqm) and direct ground-level loading access. Its ability to manage massive crowd flows and heavy machinery is evidenced by its selection as the new home for the region’s largest auto and music festivals. On-site parking accommodates ~7,100 vehicles.
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Past & Upcoming Events: Despite its recent launch, NICE has already secured the nation’s most prestigious events. Following a successful soft launch with IONATION 6 and the Capacity Catalyst Summit (5,000+ pax), it has officially signed the 2026 GIIAS (SE Asia’s largest auto show), Hammersonic (major international metal festival), the Java Jazz Festival, one of the world’s largest jazz gatherings.
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Limitations: The primary logistical challenge is the hotel inventory directly adjacent to the hall; the on-site Hilton Jakarta is slated for a 2027 completion. For a 2026 event, attendees would utilize existing hotel hubs in PIK 1 (Swissôtel, Mercure) or airport-side hotels via dedicated shuttles. Additionally, the commute from Central/South Jakarta ranges from 45 to 75 minutes, requiring a strategic transportation plan for city-based attendees.
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Website: nice-nusantaraconvex.com
3. Are there venues with the capacity to host between 10-20k people?
All the venue mentioned above (ICE BSD, JCC, NICE) can comfortably host between 5,000 to 40,000+ people.
4. What are attractions in or around the city, and how close are they to the venue?
From the historic Old Town (Kota Tua) to modern rooftop lounges and proximity to getaways like the Thousand Islands (Pulau Seribu) just offshore.
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Monas (National Monument) is the iconic symbol of Indonesian independence, situated in the heart of Jakarta near the Jakarta Convention Center. It offers a high-level view of the city’s skyline and the surrounding government district. Features a 132-meter tower with an observation deck and a historical museum in its base. Surrounded by Merdeka Square, one of the largest urban public squares in the world.
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Kota Tua (Old Town) provides a glimpse into Jakarta’s colonial past through its preserved Dutch architecture and cobblestone squares. It is a hub for cultural tourism and photography. Home to the Jakarta History Museum and several thematic art galleries. Known for its vibrant street atmosphere and traditional “Onthel” bicycles that visitors can rent.
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Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) is a sprawling 150-hectare cultural park that showcases the diverse traditions, architecture, and clothing of all Indonesian provinces in one location. Includes a cable car system for an aerial view of the Indonesian archipelago miniature. Features specialized museums, such as the Museum Komodo, and bird parks.
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PIK (Pantai Indah Kapuk) represents the newest wave of urban development in Jakarta, offering a massive coastal entertainment district with white sand beaches and extensive dining options. Features the Batavia PIK floating village, which blends modern retail with cultural aesthetics. Highly accessible from the airport, making it a popular spot for international transit visitors.
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Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) located directly adjacent to the Jakarta Convention Center, this historic sports complex serves as the city’s “central park” and has been the site of Indonesia’s most significant diplomatic and cultural milestones. It is an ideal space for massive outdoor gatherings, community “vibe” events, or wellness activities like morning runs.
- Signature Venues: Home to the Main Stadium, the Istora Senayan (famous for world-class badminton), and the Hutan Kota by Plataran (an elegant urban forest).
- Scale: Can accommodate hundreds of thousands across its various plazas, making it perfect for sprawling decentralized meetups or large-scale festival zones.
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National Museum of Indonesia The most significant ethnographic and archeological repository in the country, providing deep context on the archipelago’s 17,000+ islands.
- Collections: Contains thousands of artifacts, including ancient statues and textiles, housed in a grand neo-classical building.
- Events: The courtyard and specialized wings are often used for high-level cultural receptions and gala events.
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Kepulauan Seribu Regency (Thousand Islands) Just offshore from Jakarta’s bustling CBD, this archipelago of over 100 islands offers a dramatic transition from urban density to tropical marine sanctuary. It serves as a vital recreational “lung” for the city, providing a diverse range of experiences from historic colonial-era ruins to high-end resort seclusion.
Ethereum Community and Impact
1. How does the Ethereum community look like in this region (e.g.: existing large community/ small but growing rapidly, etc.)?
Existing Community: Indonesia boasts a robust and rapidly growing ecosystem of builders, supported by established groups and a surge in both Layer 1 and Layer 2 adoption. Key drivers include:
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Ethereum Jakarta: The central grassroots hub for the local community, regularly organizing technical meetups, developer workshops, and networking events that bridge the gap between global Ethereum standards and local innovation.
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Base Indonesia: A highly active community of developers and creators leveraging the Base ecosystem for consumer apps, social projects, and on-chain identity.
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Lisk Indonesia: A dedicated builder community focused on real-world applications and localized developer education within the Lisk ecosystem.
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University & Developer Networks: A growing network of blockchain clubs at top Indonesian universities (such as UI, BINUS, and ITB) and co-working-based developer collectives that foster early-stage talent.
2. What is the potential of Ethereum to have an impact in that region?
The potential of Ethereum in Indonesia is defined by its ability to act as the foundational trust layer for a nation undergoing a massive, state-led digital financial migration.
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Financial Inclusion via “Leapfrog” Infrastructure: With over 77 million unbanked adults and a smartphone penetration rate exceeding 90%, Indonesia is primed to bypass traditional banking evolution. Ethereum’s Layer 2 ecosystem provides the immediate, low-cost rails necessary for this “on-chain” generation to access savings, credit, and global payments—effectively “banking” the population through code rather than physical branches.
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Operational Integrity for the P2SK Transition: As oversight transitions to the Financial Services Authority (OJK) under the P2SK Law, crypto assets are now formally classified as “Digital Financial Assets.” Ethereum’s immutable ledger offers a “Regulatory-as-Code” solution, providing the National Crypto Bourse (CFX) and regulators with automated proof-of-reserves and real-time transparency that manual reporting cannot match.
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Unlocking the $88 Billion RWA Opportunity: Indonesia is emerging as a global hub for Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization, with a projected $88 billion market by 2030 across commodities, bonds, and SME financing. Ethereum serves as the undisputed global standard for these assets, ensuring that Indonesian tokenized products remain liquid, interoperable, and accessible to global capital markets.
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Capital Efficiency Amidst High Taxation: The current 0.21% Final Tax (PPh) environment creates a high barrier for traditional high-frequency trading. Ethereum’s DeFi primitives allow for more sophisticated capital management and yield-generation strategies that help local market participants maintain profitability and liquidity despite the unique domestic tax frictions.
3. Which event would be ideal here? (i.e. Devcon, Devconnect, or another type of Ethereum community event)
We’re confident that Jakarta would be a suitable city to host an Ethereum Devcon
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How is hosting events in that city benefiting the Ethereum ecosystem?
Hosting Devcon in Jakarta is a strategic move that moves Ethereum from the “application layer” to a sovereign-integrated protocol.
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Tapping into the World’s Most Active “On-Chain” Generation: Indonesia has over 22 million registered crypto investors, with a growth rate in crypto-related discourse of nearly 30% annually. By hosting the global community in Jakarta, the Ethereum ecosystem taps into a massive, tech-savvy Gen-Z developer base that views Ethereum not as a speculative asset, but as the primary tool for economic participation.
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A Living Laboratory for Hybrid Finance (HyFi): Indonesia is the only nation with a National Crypto Bourse (CFX) and a centralized clearing house for digital assets. For the Ethereum ecosystem, Jakarta is the ultimate “testnet” for Hybrid Finance—observing how a decentralized protocol can maintain its core values while being integrated into a G20 nation’s formal financial and regulatory framework.
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Battle-Testing for Mass Adoption UX: Indonesia is a high-volume, low-transaction-value market. By bringing core developers to Jakarta, the ecosystem is forced to solve for real-world usability: perfecting Account Abstraction, low-gas Layer 2s, and mobile-first experiences for users whose daily economic reality requires $5 remittances, not $5,000 swaps.
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Solidifying the Southeast Asian Anchor: As a leader in ASEAN, Indonesia’s regulatory blueprint (P2SK) is being closely watched by neighboring emerging markets. A successful Ethereum integration in Jakarta creates a “Sovereign Gold Standard,” providing a template for how the Ethereum Foundation can collaborate with other national governments to foster innovation while ensuring decentralized public goods are protected.
Concerns and Downsides
Every location has its pros and cons. It’s important to also consider the potential downsides.
While Jakarta is fully equipped for a world-class summit, the following logistical and regulatory complexities require proactive management. Our mitigation framework ensures that operational risks are addressed through high-level coordination and infrastructure redundancy.
a. Urban Logistics and Mobility
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The Risk: Gridlock and Access Chokepoints. Venues in the city center (JCC/GBK) face extreme density and strict “Odd-Even” plate regulations, while satellite venues (ICE BSD & NICE PIK 2) rely on specific toll road arteries (JORR/Kataraja) that can become bottlenecks during peak hours.
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The Solution: Implementation of a tiered distribution scheme for attendee arrivals and dedicated shuttle loops from hotel clusters. We will secure formal permits from Polda Metro Jaya and utilize police escorts for mission-critical logistics and VIP delegations to ensure unhindered movement across jurisdictions.
b. Digital Infrastructure
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The Risk: Network Congestion and Signal Dead-Zones. High-density urban districts can suffer from cellular tower saturation, while the massive industrial structures of newer halls can create interior coverage gaps.
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The Solution: Deployment of a bifurcated network architecture, separating a high-security “Operations Cluster” for production from a high-capacity “Attendee Cluster.” We will utilize satellite-linked redundancy (Starlink) to guarantee 100% uptime for mission-critical developer streams.
c. Jurisdictional and Administrative Complexity
- The Risk: Regulatory Overlap and “Double Bureaucracy.” Utilizing satellite venues involves navigating the border between Jakarta DKI and Banten Province (Tangerang), requiring dual-police permits. Central venues require strict compliance with the high-security protocols of the Presidential and Ministerial districts.
- The Solution: Establishment of a centralized legal task force to manage unified permitting across both Jakarta and Tangerang authorities. We will provide direct mediation with relevant Ministries to ensure all local event regulations are harmonized well in advance.
Jakarta isn’t just a destination for Devcon IX; it is the proving ground where Ethereum’s sovereign-scale utility meets its most ambitious regulatory frontier. By anchoring in Jakarta, Devcon gains a direct vantage point into the “on-chain” generation of the world’s fourth-largest nation, witnessing a future where decentralized protocols and national financial rails converge. Here, Devcon will transcend the traditional conference, serving as the definitive catalyst that bridges global technical excellence with Indonesia’s uniquely resilient and government-backed builder ecosystem.
Jakarta has one of the most vibrant and fastest-growing builder communities in Southeast Asia. Bringing the Ethereum family here would be a game-changer. Seeing Vitalik and the EF team in Jakarta would inspire a whole new generation of local devs. Let’s make 
, massive developers 