The Future of On-Chain Innovation: Creator Economics and Consumer Experiences | Web3 Social Day Bangkok
Panel Guests:
- Andreas, Co-Founder of Fileverse
- Kimmo Sirén, Co-Founder of Orb
- Charles-Nicolas Gaubert-Amy, Partnerships Lead at Clique
Moderator:
- Guo Liu, Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer of Matters Labs
Introduction and Background
Guo Liu (Matters Labs):
Hi, everyone. Thanks for coming and joining the 3 amazing panelists. We’ve prepared many questions, but since this is the last panel, let’s start with something more personal. Tell us where you’re from and your favorite moment in Bangkok so far.
Charles Nicolas (Clique):
I come from Singapore. Hi, everyone. My favorite moment in Bangkok isn’t event-related — it was finding out that $ACT was listed on Binance and realizing I had some exposure. That’s been great.
Kimmo Siren (Orb):
Hey, guys, I’m Finnish, but Orb is based in San Francisco. This is my first time in Thailand. I love Bangkok, though the traffic is definitely a challenge. Great to be here!
Andreas (Fileverse):
Hi, everyone. I’m Greek and French, but I live in Oxford. Bangkok has been amazing. I enjoyed the Cypherpunk Congress before Devcon — it was inspiring to see the value of Web3 highlighted there. I even heard Vitalik speak about some of our projects, which was cool.
Daily Content Consumption Habits
Charles Nicolas (Clique):
I enjoy spending time on Telegram for news and forums — it’s underrated. Of course, like everyone here, I also enjoy shit-posting on X (Twitter) and following the drama there.
Kimmo Siren (Orb):
My days are mostly work-focused — get up, work, sleep. I’m trying to reduce my content consumption, but since Orb is a content platform, I still spend time on X and Telegram.
Guo Liu (Matters Labs):
Do you use Orb yourself a lot?
Kimmo Siren (Orb):
I do, but right now, our team is focused on building new features. We’re short on time, so most of my energy goes into creating rather than consuming content.
Andreas (Fileverse):
For me, despite being a privacy maximalist, I love TikTok. It’s such a great way to stay connected to global culture, especially youth trends. I also start my mornings with research papers — something intellectual — then move to TikTok for a dopamine boost.
Missing Pieces in the Creator Economy
Guo Liu (Matters Labs):
What do you think is missing in the creator economy? What innovation do you hope to see in the next 10 years?
Andreas (Fileverse):
More control over data and identity. I don’t want 52 accounts with different passwords and interfaces. We need a universal internet account that carries your social graph, preferences, and even personalized recommendation systems — without relying on centralized platforms.
Guo Liu (Matters Labs):
Does Fileverse contribute to that vision?
Andreas (Fileverse):
Absolutely. Our stack gives users full control over their data and identity while hiding the complexity of privacy and peer-to-peer tech. It’s designed to replace centralized tools like Google Workspace with encrypted, peer-to-peer alternatives.
Guo Liu (Matters Labs):
What would you say about Fileverse in 15 seconds to someone in an elevator?
Andreas (Fileverse):
We’re taking Google’s lunch — offering encrypted, decentralized alternatives to tools like Google Docs and Workspace, empowering users to control their data.
Kimmo Siren (Orb):
Fairness is what’s missing. We need to ensure creators and users benefit equally. For example, at Orb, we launched sticker packs where both creators and users earn revenue. Consumers create attention, and that value shouldn’t just go to the platform or creators — it should be shared fairly.
Guo Liu (Matters Labs):
How does Orb address fairness for content creators?
Kimmo Siren (Orb):
Our sticker packs are a proof of concept. Users buy them to react to content, and creators and consumers both earn. This isn’t a zero-sum game; we’re making distribution more equitable, and creators are happy because it boosts engagement.
Charles Nicolas (Clique):
For me, the missing piece is user-friendly onboarding and abstracting on-chain complexities. At Clique, we’re integrating TEEs (Trusted Execution Environments) to make off-chain data verifiable on-chain. For example, we’re automating attestations for gaming apps, allowing smoother and more transparent reward systems. Consumer applications need more surprise-and-delight mechanics like Optimism’s reward tracking — it keeps users engaged and happy.
Bridging the Gap in Web3 Creator Economy
Guo Liu (Matters Labs):
I think a crucial point we’re missing in the Web3 creator economy is the gap between Web2 and Web3. It’s about understanding why people care. My mom, for instance, doesn’t care about decentralization or even the blockchain. Her concerns are, ‘How does this improve my life?’ or ‘What’s the benefit for me?’ Until Web3 answers these fundamental questions, we won’t see mass adoption. It’s not just about creators — it’s about users across the spectrum.
Charles Nicolas (Clique):
Guo, that’s a great analogy. How do you think we can start bridging this gap?
Guo Liu (Matters Labs):
We need more focus on user onboarding. Education is key — but not in a way that feels condescending or overwhelming. Think of it like introducing a new app, where the value is immediately clear from the first interaction. If the narrative starts with ‘You must understand decentralization,’ we’ve already lost the average person. Start with practical benefits, not technical details.
Andreas (Fileverse):
I’d add that creators themselves can play a huge role here. They’re influencers in their own right, and if we make their experience on Web3 platforms frictionless, they can become advocates for these benefits to their audiences. But right now, the tools aren’t quite there.
Shifting the Privacy and Ownership Narrative
Andreas (Fileverse):
There’s this ongoing narrative that users don’t care about privacy. I don’t agree with that. Look at the growing popularity of platforms like Signal — when privacy is marketed well and baked into the product, users do care. It’s just that we, in Web3, have done a poor job of framing privacy as an everyday value rather than a niche feature.
Guo Liu (Matters Labs):
So, Andreas, you’re suggesting it’s more of a communication and design issue?
Andreas (Fileverse):
Exactly. Privacy isn’t the feature people actively seek out; it’s the absence of worry that makes a product more attractive. For example, with Fileverse, we focus on making privacy an invisible part of the user experience. Users don’t need to know the technical ‘how’ — they just need to feel safe and empowered.
Kimmo Sirén (Orb):
To build on that, we need to think of privacy and ownership in the same way. Ownership doesn’t just mean having a token — it’s about the freedom and control it provides. When creators see how owning their content directly impacts their bottom line, it’s a lightbulb moment. That’s the narrative shift we need to make.
Solving Scalability for the Creator Economy
Kimmo Sirén (Orb):
Scalability remains the biggest hurdle for creator-centric platforms in Web3. Sure, we have the infrastructure to host decentralized ecosystems, but matching the speed, reliability, and intuitiveness of Web2 platforms is a huge challenge. Creators can’t afford delays or clunky interfaces — it directly impacts their ability to monetize.
Andreas (Fileverse):
I agree, and it’s not just about technical scalability. Adoption at scale also requires a cultural shift in how we design products. Too often, we build for ourselves as Web3 insiders, assuming users will ‘get it’ eventually. That’s not sustainable. We need to build platforms that appeal to everyone, especially those unfamiliar with blockchain.
Guo Liu (Matters Labs):
Are you saying the challenge is as much cultural as it is technical?
Kimmo Sirén (Orb):
Exactly. Both aspects have to evolve together. If we focus only on improving tech scalability but fail to make platforms user-friendly and culturally relevant, we’re just creating products for a niche audience.
Charles-Nicolas Gaubert-Amy (Clique):
Scalability also means thinking beyond tech infrastructure. It’s about scaling trust. For example, can users trust a platform to handle their content and payments seamlessly? If not, they’ll hesitate to switch from Web2 giants like YouTube or Instagram, no matter how decentralized we claim to be.
Integrating Social Features in Web3
Andreas (Fileverse):
A critical element missing in many Web3 platforms is the social layer. In Web2, creators rely heavily on engagement tools — likes, comments, shares — to grow their communities and income. We need to replicate that in Web3, but in a way that aligns with decentralization and privacy principles. This is a tough challenge but one worth solving.
Kimmo Sirén (Orb):
I completely agree. Social engagement is the lifeblood of creator success. Without robust social tools, Web3 platforms will always feel incomplete. The real innovation lies in creating these interactions while keeping user data secure and decentralized.
Charles-Nicolas Gaubert-Amy (Clique):
And let’s not forget incentivization. In Web2, engagement benefits platforms more than users. Web3 flips that, giving creators and audiences more direct rewards for their contributions. If we get this right, it could redefine what ‘social’ means for creator platforms.
Guo Liu (Matters Labs):
That’s a fascinating vision. So, it’s not just about replicating Web2 — it’s about improving upon it?
Andreas (Fileverse):
Exactly. Web3 has the potential to create deeper, more meaningful connections between creators and their communities. But we need to stop playing catch-up with Web2 and start leading the way in terms of innovation.
