The Burj Al Arab glittered. Champagne flowed. The inaugural Middle East Blockchain Awards (MEBA) 2025 dazzled attendees in Dubai, alongside TOKEN2049. This breathtaking event was a triumphant salute to the brightest stars of Web3 innovation. AI-generated content sparkled across screens, adding to the aura of Dubai’s intent to become the world’s blockchain capital. A nagging question lingered in my mind: Whose voices are truly being amplified?

Forgotten Talent: A Web3 Imbalance

We’re used to seeing Dubai praised for their “progressive digital infrastructure” and regulatory sandboxes, and for good reason. Yet, this celebration feels…incomplete. Are we really going to sit here and pretend that the current Web3 ecosystem is an equal opportunity space? Compare the two, in my view, and it looks like a seesaw. It’s very much rigged in favor of those who already have built infrastructure and access.

Now imagine the creators, artists, and developers who are still working around the clock to build Southeast Asia. They're innovating with limited resources, navigating complex regulatory landscapes, and fighting for visibility in a global market dominated by Western and Middle Eastern narratives. Just picture the vibrant, innovative digital art spilling out of the Philippines. See the brilliant DeFi solutions that are developing in Vietnam, the innovative NFT projects that are blossoming in Indonesia. These aren’t merely “emerging markets;” they’re incubators of innovation, teeming with opportunity.

How many of these creators were making up that stage at MEBA 2025? How many really had the chance to even apply at all, considering the entry-level barriers? I'm betting the answer is: not enough.

Judging Diversity: Beyond the Surface

Our judging panel, which included accomplished leaders such as Dr. Marwan Al Zarouni and Jumana Al Darwish, certainly had the best minds on the topic. Expertise in what? From whose perspective? Were voices from Southeast Asia included in this debate? It’s important to acknowledge and celebrate the special cultural influences, challenges, and innovations coming from that part of the world.

It's not about questioning the judges' qualifications; it's about acknowledging the potential for unconscious bias and the limitations of a homogenous perspective. To evaluate Web3 projects coming out of Southeast Asia, you need to understand the local context and their challenges. Artists in these areas experience additional challenges, and the work they create is often more profoundly tied to cultural importance. Without that, we risk judging them through a Western or Middle Eastern lens, failing to see their total value and potential.

Perhaps it’s time to consider a new approach for electing our judges. Pursuing representation from different geographical areas and cultural backgrounds is more than ticking boxes. It promotes a just, equitable evaluation environment.

Action Needed: Leveling the Playing Field

The Web3 revolution promised decentralization and democratization. If we aren’t intentional, we will simply recreate all of the power imbalances and inequities that exist in the traditional space. Dubai’s MEBA 2025 will be an equally important event. Beyond that, it provides us with an opportunity, actually an imperative, to reconsider how we can best support artists and developers from every corner of the world.

We can never afford to be passive about the barriers we erect that keep these highly talented individuals from achieving their full potential. Inclusivity is not the only goal, either. It’s not just about unlocking a new treasure trove of creativity and innovation that’ll make the whole Web3 ecosystem better, though.

  • Dedicated Funding: Establish funding streams specifically targeted at Web3 projects in Southeast Asia and other emerging markets.
  • Mentorship Programs: Connect Southeast Asian creators with experienced mentors who can provide guidance and support.
  • Global Outreach: Actively seek out and showcase projects from underrepresented regions on international platforms like MEBA.
  • Diverse Judging Panels: Ensure that judging panels reflect the diversity of the global Web3 community.

BoxCommerce, an E-commerce platform, is launching in the UAE. Great! Yet—in striking comparison—what of the inventive e-commerce solutions that Southeast Asian entrepreneurs are creating under often much less resourced contexts. Shouldn’t they have a place to glow just as brightly?

The fate of Web3 and success of this technology will be determined by whether it is used to benefit all and not just a wealthy few. So, while we love the glitz and glamour, let’s go further and make sure we’re all working towards building a genuinely equitable and decentralized future. Let's ensure that events like MEBA 2025 aren't just celebrating progress, but actively driving it in a way that benefits all. Otherwise, we’re just replicating another gilded cage, this time on the blockchain.

The success of Web3 depends on its ability to empower everyone, not just a select few. Let's move beyond the glitz and glamour and focus on building a truly equitable and decentralized future. Let's ensure that events like MEBA 2025 aren't just celebrating progress, but actively driving it in a way that benefits all. Otherwise, we're just building another gilded cage, this time on the blockchain.