Consensus 2025 just wrapped up in Toronto, and while it might be on the other side of the world, the conversations coming out of the event are incredibly relevant to us here in Australia. Whether you’re into blockchain for business, investing in crypto, or building in Web3, these five talking points give us a clear direction of where the global industry is heading, and what it means for crypto in Australia.
1. Institutional Adoption & Regulatory Clarity: The Missing Piece for Aussie Growth
One of the biggest themes this year was the call for better crypto regulation, not to kill innovation, but to unlock it. Kevin O’Leary (yes, Mr. Wonderful from Shark Tank) made headlines predicting that regulatory clarity could unleash over a trillion dollars into the crypto space.
🔍 What it means for Australia: Australia is already ahead of the curve in some areas (like crypto ETFs), but we’ve also seen the delays and confusion around licensing and custody rules. If Canberra can provide clear, workable regulations, we could become a regional hub, especially as Singapore tightens controls and U.S. uncertainty continues.
2. Bitcoin Mining & Clean Energy: A Made-in-Australia Opportunity?
Eric Trump revealed plans to build the world’s largest U.S.-based Bitcoin mining company, focused on clean, high-capacity energy usage. The takeaway? Mining is back, but only if it’s energy-efficient and politically palatable.
🔋 What it means for Australia: With our renewable energy potential (think: solar in the outback, hydro in Tassie), Australia is well-positioned to lead in green mining. We’ve got the space, the tech, and the environmental incentive. It’s time to explore whether we want a piece of that pie or risk being left behind.
3. AI + Web3: Not Just Buzzwords
Everyone from venture capitalists to devs talked about how AI is being embedded into the Web3 ecosystem. Think smarter smart contracts, AI-generated NFTs, and bots managing on-chain data.
🤖 What it means for Australia: We’ve got a strong AI talent pool, especially coming out of unis like UNSW and the University of Melbourne. If Aussie startups can tap into this hybrid AI-crypto space, we could punch well above our weight. It’s not just about tech, it’s about shaping new digital economies with intelligent design.
4. Tokenisation of Real-World Assets (RWAs): The Next Big Use Case
More builders and investors want to tokenise physical assets like real estate, art, and even equities. It’s about making traditionally illiquid things tradable and accessible to the masses.
🏠 What it means for Australia: Our real estate market is one of the most valuable in the world, but also one of the least accessible. Tokenisation could be a game-changer. Imagine owning 0.1% of a Bondi apartment or a slice of a winery in the Barossa, all on-chain. Platforms like Synthetix already hint at what’s possible, now we need real-world pilots.
5. Canada’s Crypto Rise – Should Australia Take Notes?
With Consensus moving to Toronto, Canada’s crypto innovation story was front and centre. They’ve launched Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, supported early Ethereum developers, and fostered grassroots innovation.
🍁 What it means for Australia: If Canada can do it, why can’t we? Australia has the tech brains, fintech culture, and regulatory infrastructure to become a leader. We just need policymakers and investors to get on board, and events like Consensus show there’s no time to waste.
PitchFest
Each year, PitchFest at Consensus brings together some of the most promising early-stage blockchain startups to compete for attention, investment, and global recognition. In 2025, the competition was tougher than ever, with dozens of innovative projects battling it out on stage in front of top-tier investors and crypto leaders.
From cutting-edge crypto payroll tools to decentralised storytelling platforms, PitchFest 2025 gave us a glimpse into the next wave of blockchain innovation.
🥇 Winner: Rise
Overview: Rise is a comprehensive platform offering hybrid fiat and crypto payroll solutions tailored for the Web3 workforce. It simplifies global contractor payments, ensuring compliance and efficiency for decentralized teams.
Key Features:
- Supports payments in both fiat and cryptocurrencies.
- Integrates with major blockchain networks like Ethereum, Avalanche, and Polygon.
- Provides tools for HR, finance, and legal compliance.
Access: The platform is live and available for businesses and freelancers.
Website: riseworks.io
2. Amanu
Overview: Amanu is a user-friendly crypto wallet inspired by Apple’s design principles. It aims to make cryptocurrency transactions seamless and accessible, especially for newcomers to the Web3 space.
Key Features:
- Intuitive interface focusing on simplicity and ease of use.
- Enhanced security measures to protect user assets.
- Designed to cater to both novice and experienced crypto users.
Access: Amanu is currently available for public use.
Website: amanu.io
3. Story Protocol
Overview: Founded by screenwriter David Goyer, Story Protocol is a decentralized platform that leverages blockchain and AI to empower creators in developing and monetising sci-fi franchises.
Key Features:
- Community-driven storytelling with collaborative content creation.
- Utilises NFTs and smart contracts for intellectual property rights and revenue sharing.
- Aims to democratise the entertainment industry by giving creators more control.
Access: The platform is open to creators and audiences interested in collaborative storytelling.
Website: storyprotocol.xyz
These projects exemplify the innovative spirit showcased at Consensus 2025’s PitchFest, offering practical solutions that are now available for public engagement.
Pi Network Update
Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis, the visionary behind Pi Network and its Head of Technology, delivered a keynote that could be a turning point for the project. On May 16, he took the stage with a compelling presentation titled “AI + Blockchain Infra to Unleash Mainstream Adoption,” where he laid out Pi Network’s roadmap to fuse artificial intelligence with blockchain infrastructure. This strategic convergence, he argued, has the potential to solve critical issues that have long held back mass adoption – namely, scalability, user accessibility, and intuitive user experience.
With a PhD from Stanford and a background in distributed systems and human-computer interaction, Dr. Kokkalis has always emphasised inclusion. During his address, he reiterated Pi Network’s mission to make cryptocurrency more accessible, especially in underserved parts of the world. He pointed to the platform’s mobile-first mining approach, which has already drawn in a global user base exceeding 60 million. Beyond current achievements, he previewed exciting developments on the horizon, including updates to Pi’s smart contract capabilities, improved developer tools, and new use cases across sectors like commerce, healthcare, and education.
Adapting Pi Network
One of the more intriguing moments of the speech came when Dr. Kokkalis hinted at pilot initiatives underway in Asia and Africa. These projects aim to expand Pi’s reach as a practical medium of exchange, moving beyond its current app-based environment. While the full details remain under wraps, he alluded to potential partnerships with established institutions and payment networks, an indication that Pi is positioning itself for integration with the broader financial system.
Pi Network’s elevated presence at the conference, notably as a block sponsor, reflected its evolution from a grassroots experiment to a serious player in the blockchain world. Dr. Kokkalis’s keynote wasn’t just a technological showcase, it was a reaffirmation of Pi’s commitment to inclusivity and real-world relevance. As the crypto space shifts toward tangible applications and decentralized finance gains traction, Pi Network is staking its claim at the forefront of this transformation.
Consensus Australia, Why not?
Consensus 2025 gave us a peek into the future, and whether you’re an Aussie investor, founder, or simply crypto-curious, these trends matter. We have a unique chance to shape how Australia fits into the global Web3 movement. The next 12 months will be critical for moving from potential to presence.
Firstly, for those who don’t know me, I’m Scott, the driving force behind DeFi Life, where we’re revolutionising how Australians approach decentralized finance (DeFi) and the Education around it.
