What a day! The second day of HiveFest 2025 was a new experiment in the event’s format. Unlike the traditional HiveFest structure, today was co-organized with external blockchain and Web3 communities, a move that opened the door to interesting conversations, unexpected encounters, and a broader vision of how Hive fits into the global decentralized ecosystem.
The morning started a bit quietly, with fewer attendees than expected. The rows of chairs were not filled at first, but as the hours passed, more and more people streamed in.
By mid-afternoon, the place was alive with discussions, and that familiar hum of ideas bouncing around, the kind of energy that makes HiveFest so special.
As usual, the venue was great, and once again, the organization was excellent with smooth logistics and a beautiful and tasty breakfast buffet.
Throughout the day, we had a series of interesting presentations from a variety of speakers. Some talked about technology, others about creativity, AI, and Real World Assets. Even though the environment was quite noisy at times, a challenge when trying to focus on the talks, the overall energy was undeniably positive. Still, I couldn’t help but feel that something was missing: a presentation fully dedicated to Hive itself. It would have been great to showcase what makes our blockchain unique to this new audience. Hopefully, this can be addressed in future editions.
Fun facts, among the audience today, a mysterious figure caught everyone’s attention: a masked Durian! No one really knew who was behind the costume, but it definitely added a fun and quirky twist to the day.
Also came one of the most unexpected and amusing moments of the day, the appearance of a life-sized Pudgy Penguin mascot! It immediately became the center of attention, with everyone rushing to take photos.
Somehow, a rumor started spreading that I was the one inside the costume.
However, here is a photo where I clearly appear next to the mascot. So the mystery remains ;)
Anyway, it definitely added a fun and lighthearted touch to the day.
After such an intense and noisy day, I headed back to the hotel for a quick rest before joining a dinner organized by my Malaysian friends. This time, I wasn’t alone as a few fellow Hivians came along. Together we went again outside Kuala Lumpur to another local restaurant.
It was the kind of hidden gem you’d never find in a tourist guide: simple, warm, and full of flavor. The dishes were bold and authentic, the conversations lively, and the laughter endless.
These shared moments have become one of my favorite parts of HiveFest, as for the real friendships and real connections.
Now that the conference portion of HiveFest is over, it’s time to slow down the pace and enjoy the more relaxed part of the event.
Tomorrow morning, we’re setting out early to visit the Batu Caves, one of Malaysia’s most iconic landmarks, famous for its golden statue and 272 rainbow-colored steps.
I hope I survive climbing that long staircase. Stay tuned!
