Proposed location: _Singapore
Why is Singapore [name of suggested city] the best place to host Devcon VII? Convince us 
[High level overview]
Singapore is a progressive city-state with its eyes fixed on the future. As one of the ‘Four Asian Tigers,’ Singapore has achieved tremendous success despite its small size and lack of natural resources. Innovation and vision was what fuelled this.
Today, they have grown into a world-class commercial and financial hub, widely recognised as a fintech powerhouse of global standards, competing with cities like Tokyo, London, New York, Hong Kong and others.
Its high standard of living, and appreciation for highly skilled workers has made Singapore something of a magnet for entrepreneurs and multinationals alike over time. When one thinks of Singapore, they immediately link it to its modern and cosmopolitan amenities, its competitive and brilliant workforce, and the tools offered by the country to promote ease of doing business.
The blockchain and crypto industry (Read this: Singapore Blockchain Ecosystem Industry Report | ConsenSys) has been able to benefit tremendously from this environment. Its government is encouraging the development of new technologies. In fact, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has worked with top minds in tech to build a blockchain-based payments network (Project Ubin: Central Bank Digital Money using Distributed Ledger Technology). In 2016, they introduced a Regulatory Sandbox to encourage and facilitate the experimentation of technology innovation to deliver financial products and services. Temasek, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, has also been known to invest in crypto startups. All in all, it is a great place that catalyzes value-driven ideas, especially within the realm of tech and finance.
Country and Entry
1. What are the visa restrictions for the country?
International visa requirements are very clearly stipulated on the government website (ICA | Check if You Need an Entry Visa). Once you nail down the documents needed based on your country of residence/origin, you should be able to get your paperwork processed by a local consulate or embassy for a small fee in a few days.
2. How easy is the international access?
Singapore has been called Asia’s leading aviation hub (How Singapore Became the Aviation Hub of Asia — and Why It Matters to You). As the 7th busiest airport in the world, Changi Airport is an extremely well-connected airport, with world-class facilities (you can enjoy various retail, entertainment, F&B options right upon landing!) Welcoming and considerate of all visitors’ needs, Changi has various level access, lifts, ramps and accessible toilets, and a wheelchair hire service.
3. What about the safety and political stability of the region?
Singapore has consistently regarded and recorded as one of the safest places to visit and live in globally. The 2020 Gallup Global Law and Order Report ranked Singapore first for safety, for the seventh year running. Singapore was also ranked first in the 2020 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index in the area of “Order and Security”. This article should give you more insights.
4. How expensive are venue rentals, accommodation, food, and transport?
Singapore ranks 31 on the global cost of living index - making it more affordable than many prime hubs/locations in the US, UK and Europe.
5. What is the climate during Q3/Q4?
If I had to describe Singapore’s climate, I’d say it is well known for its consistency and predictability. Singapore enjoys warm weather with rains throughout the year. This is a snapshot of 2022, and 2023 should be similar.
You can get away with business casuals, shorts, slacks, jeans, t-shirts and an umbrella/sunglasses. You don’t need to worry about carrying any winter gear. In your free time, you can also enjoy Singapore’s stunning free parks, the botanical gardens or even Sentosa Island’s many sights and sounds without any special packing.
City and Venue
1. How easy is the transportation in the city (between venues, airport, etc.)?
Singapore’s public transport system is affordable, clean and timely (buses, MRTs). Grab/Jojek taxis are also available and affordably priced.
2. Are there modern venues (WiFi/Maneuverability/Catering)?
The city is known for housing some of the best hotels, restaurants/hospitality and facilities globally. Connectivity is a big part of this.
3. Are there venues with the capacity to host between 5-10k+ people?
There are several. Singapore is equipped for events of scale. Some examples include the Sands Expo and Convention Center, Suntec Convention Center, Singapore Expo, National University of Singapore - not to mention that all top hotels have conference areas and convention rooms (Fort Canning Hotel, Fullerton, Ritz Carlton).
4. What are attractions in or around the city, and how close are they to the venue?
Singapore has something for everybody. If you like adventure and lush landscapes, try Sentosa Island, Gardens by the Bay. Want to get moving? Check out some of the city’s best hiking trails
- 18 Best Hiking Trails In Singapore).
- Visit Singapore - Passion Made Possible - Visit Singapore Official Site
If you love history, science, architecture and culture - make sure you explore the ArtScience Museum, the National Gallery of Singapore and many of the other museums in town. Tiong Bahru is also a must-do, with its quaint cafes, galleries and eclectic wall murals. Houses of worship and spirituality across Little India or China Town like Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum, Thian Hock Keng Temple, Tan Teng Niah House, Masjid Abdul Gaffoor show the country for the melting pot that it is.
If you need a little retail therapy after working hard at Devcon, you will find that Singapore is a shopper’s paradise. In addition to the world-class fashion and retail outlets, you can also explore some fantastic Singaporean brands
From hawker centers to Michelin-starred restaurants, the culinary scene in Singapore is unparalleled - offering the best and most authentic flavors of the East and the West - and best of all, for every budget!
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.)?
- Singapore is a hub for the Ethereum community (currently recorded at ≈10,000 people and growing).
- A recent Cointelegraph article stated that Singapore occupied the top spot as “the world’s most interested country in the upcoming Merge based on frequency of search terms in the weeks leading up to the event.”
- $ETH is also considered the most popular crypto asset amongst Singapore investors.
The community is sizable but most importantly, shows promise for even further development. A developer-focused conference should be tapping into high-potential markets such as these.
2. What is the potential of Ethereum to have an impact in that region?
The numbers speak for themselves. Let’s take a look:
- Singapore’s blockchain market is expected to see market spending of around US$2.6 billion by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate of 32.5%, according to a report by Consensys.
- Crypto adoption rates in Southeast Asia averaged 3.56% in 2021, but Singapore stood out with nearly 10% of its population owning crypto.
- More than 600 blockchain/crypto companies are headquartered in Southeast Asia [See this report]. In fact, the growth of VC firms can be attributed to Web3 startups. As arguably one of the most influential players in the blockchain ecosystem, Ethereum should be at the center of all this opportunity.
Singapore’s regulatory environment is conducive for blockchain to build and grow, without compromising on user protection - even if at times it has meant a stricter approach and more due diligence procedures. Read this TechCrunch piece for more.
3. How is hosting Devcon in that city benefiting the Ethereum ecosystem?
According to Market Watch,the APAC blockchain space is primed to grow by 70% annually with a total market cap of $322.7 billion over 2021-2030. It is a region that not only houses tremendous developer expertise, but a love for Web3 games that persisted even throughout the pandemic (think Axie Infinity). Singapore is very accessible to this crowd and is also internationally recognised as a hub and leader in fintech. It will be a great place to take the Ethereum community to the next level.
Ethereum thought leaders and representatives also get access to Singapore’s cross-sectoral experts (tech, finance, government) and have fruitful discussions on furthering the blockchain ecosystem and keeping up with the rapid changes from a regulatory perspective.
Concerns and Downsides
Every location has its pros and cons. It’s important to also consider the potential downsides.
- What are possible risks?
- What could be the downsides?
Honestly cannot think of any!
Additional Information
Please add any extra information you want.
!!!