Lingling Jiang, Partner at DWF Labs, shared insights with Finbold on the company’s commitment to advancing blockchain education, driving innovation in Web3, and bridging traditional finance with the decentralised tech stack. Below is the summary of the interview.
Advancing Blockchain Education
Being asked about the DWF Labs’ recent educational initiatives, Lingling Jiang highlighted the collaboration with University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as an initiative aimed at bridging the gap between academia and blockchain technology. The partnership focuses on educating students about tokenized securities, particularly Security Token Offerings (STOs), and equipping financial professionals with practical knowledge. By combining theoretical learning with real-world case study, DWF Labs strives for fostering sustainability and innovation in the blockchain space.
About Strategic Partnerships
LJ emphasised that partnerships are a cornerstone of DWF Labs’ business strategy. The firm seeks to align with crypto projects that share its values of innovation, growth, and sustainability. Through tailored support, including financial investment, advisory services, and strategic guidance, DWF Labs helps Web3 achieve utility, scalability, and long-term success.
Sectors With the Investment Potential
In discussing what sectors DWF Labs is currently focused on, Jiang pointed to DeFi, digital identity, tokenized assets, and Web3 infrastructure as the most promising sectors. DeFi is redefining traditional finances, digital identity solutions are enhancing user security and ownership, and tokenized assets are reshaping asset management. Above all, robust infrastructure is also critical for enabling mainstream adoption.
What Will Drive Web3 Adoption?
According to DWF Labs’ Partner, several developments are essential for Web3 to achieve mainstream. These include scaling solutions like Layer 2 protocols, which improve transaction efficiency, and regulatory-compliant frameworks to build trust. Interoperability between blockchain networks and user-friendly interfaces are also necessary to make Web3 accessible to a broader audience.
Facilitating Institutional Engagement with Web3
DWF Labs is actively contributing to the institutionalisation of Web3, Lingling Jiang underlined. The company offers crypto liquidity services, crypto market making, and infrastructure development to attract traditional financial institutions. Collaborations with academic institutions, such as UCLA, further support the onboarding of future professionals into the ecosystem.
Challenges in TradFi
Lingling Jiang acknowledged the challenges of integrating traditional finance (TradFi) with decentralised technologies, including regulatory compliance, security concerns, and interoperability. DWF Labs addresses these issues by developing compliant frameworks, supporting technological innovations, and advocating for regulatory clarity.
The Role of Regulation in Shaping Web3
Lingling Jiang stressed the importance of regulation in establishing trust and legitimacy in the Web3 ecosystem. DWF Labs proactively engages with regulatory bodies to align its operations with evolving standards, ensuring compliance and creating a secure environment for crypto projects and investors.
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Lingling Jiang described DWF Labs’ vision to be a global leader in Web3 adoption and development. Over the next decade, the firm aims to drive innovation in decentralised finance, support research and education, and invest in institutional-grade blockchain solutions. By bridging traditional finance with Web3, DWF Labs aspires to build a decentralised, transparent, and accessible financial ecosystem.
DWF Labs is honoured to announce its inclusion as a case study in the book The STO Financial Revolution, the latest educational initiative spearheaded by Alex Nascimento, from the UCLA Blockchain Faculty. This collaboration underscores DWF Labs’ commitment to advancing institutional understanding and shaping the evolving landscape of Security Token Offerings (STOs) and the wider Web3 space.
The DWF Labs case study, featured prominently in this comprehensive resource, provides insights into their innovative crypto market-making strategies and liquidity solutions, aimed at equipping students, entrepreneurs, professionals, and industry leaders with practical knowledge of tokenized securities. Alex Nascimento, author and faculty member and Co-founder of Blockchain at UCLA, has curated this textbook to serve as a core academic resource, bringing together industry insights and strategic frameworks for STOs.
“This collaboration with UCLA is a unique opportunity to contribute to educational initiatives that will cultivate the next generation of leaders in tokenized markets,” said Andrei Grachev, Managing Partner of DWF Labs. “We are excited to share our experience and help shape the industry’s future by influencing how institutions understand and engage with digital assets and STOs.”
“Market makers in the crypto space are essential for maintaining liquidity in digital assets and ensuring continuous trading opportunities through active buy and sell orders. Crypto market making companies like DWF Labs play a key role in stabilizing prices, minimizing volatility, and promoting market efficiency. Gaining insight into their impact is invaluable for students, entrepreneurs, and investors navigating today’s dynamic digital economy,” said Alex Nascimento, from the Blockchain Faculty, UCLA Masters of Quantitative Economics.
With this initiative, DWF Labs continues strengthening its role as a leading crypto investment company, institutional influencer and thought leader. This collaboration further aligns with their mission to foster industry growth by supporting academic and professional understanding of STO mechanisms, regulatory frameworks, and liquidity management.
The STO Financial Revolution will be available as a valuable educational resource, providing readers with a deep dive into the STO landscape and empowering professionals to navigate the complexities of the tokenized securities market.
After her appointment as Partner at DWF Labs, Lingling Jiang sat down for her first interview with Bitcoin.com. In this conversation with journalists, Jiang outlined the company’s business development strategy, shared insights on the strategic prospects of the crypto market, explained DWF Labs’ investment selection process, and dived deeper into the significance of Web3, all while shedding light on the role of memecoins. Here are the key takeaways from the interview.
Regulatory Clarity in the Crypto Space
Lingling Jiang highlighted Asia's leadership as the prominent crypto industry’s hub, attributing its success to clear regulatory frameworks in countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan. She suggested that the recent U.S. election of Donald Trump could signal a potential shift toward clearer regulations, provided the administration recognizes crypto’s economic potential. However, she noted that any substantial changes in the U.S. regulatory landscape would likely take time due to the complexity of the ecosystem.
The Impact of Crypto ETFs: Two-Tier System?
While cryptocurrency-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) bring stability and attract institutional investors, Jiang observed that they might dilute the influence of retail investors and reduce the volatility traditionally seen in the market. She foresaw a possible two-tier crypto ecosystem, where crypto whales focus on established assets such as ETFs, while retail traders continue speculating on volatile, lesser-known tokens:
“We could end up with a two-tier crypto ecosystem where suits trade the blue chips and degens stick to the trenches where 1,000x fortunes are won and lost.”
DWF Labs’ Role in Web3 Development
According to Lingling Jiang, DWF Labs has supported over 800 Web3 projects with crypto market making, OTC trading, and treasury management services. She emphasised the company’s selective approach, backing projects with real-world utility and long-term potential. Success, in her view, is defined by a project’s ability to innovate, decentralise processes, and generate real protocol fees:
“If a project is building a more decentralised, secure, and efficient solution to anything that’s currently available in Web3 — and is generating real protocol fees in the process — it definitely fits the bill.”
The Importance of DYOR
DWF Labs’ Partner advised retail and institutional investors to conduct thorough research, a process called “Do Your Own Research” (DYOR), and implement robust risk management frameworks. Following up, Jiang added that developers should focus on secure and transparent platforms. She also stressed the importance of partnering with established industry players and trusted communities to avoid falling prey to scams during periods of rapid innovation.
Commitment to Web3
“Web3 is the next frontier of the digital economy,” Lingling Jiang said, adding that DWF Labs remains dedicated to fostering innovation in the Web3 space, undeterred by allegations and challenges. Lingling Jiang also underlined the transformative potential of decentralisation and the firm’s focus on supporting projects that deliver real-world utility and sustainability.
Approach to Investing in Memecoins
As an integral part of crypto culture, memecoins are driven by community sentiment, Jiang commented. However, she urged caution, recommending that institutions treat memecoins as speculative assets and invest in them on a limited basis:
“It’s important to allocate a proportionately smaller portion of a portfolio to such assets and use them as an opportunistic play rather than a core holding.”
Effective risk management, liquidity assessment, and timing are critical for navigating this volatile space.
In conclusion, Lingling Jiang reaffirmed DWF Labs’ commitment to supporting the crypto and Web3 ecosystem, emphasizing innovation, strategic investment, and adaptability to evolving market dynamics.
In light of recent changes, DWF Labs is pleased to announce that Lingling Jiang, our esteemed partner for Business Development, will be stepping up to lead the company’s strategic initiatives in this area. With a proven track record of driving growth and creating meaningful partnerships, Lingling will be taking over the roles and responsibilities necessary to support and expand our work with valued partners and collaborators. This transition is part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a resilient, forward-focused business environment that remains steadfast in supporting our portfolio companies.
Lingling brings a wealth of experience to her new role, positioning her as a key leader in DWF Labs’s Business Development and strategic initiatives. With over two years at DWF Labs as the Business Partner of Business Development and previously serving as Head of Regional Sales in Asia, Lingling has demonstrated her ability to drive cross-functional collaboration, optimise business operations, and build sustainable partnerships across the globe. Her tenure as Head of Hong Kong further solidified her expertise in regional and global market dynamics, fostering strong relationships within the business ecosystem.
This expanded role will include active participation in corporate decision-making, leading business development strategies, and representing DWF Labs at industry events worldwide. Her dedication to fostering impactful collaborations will strengthen our support for both new and existing partners, ensuring continuity and reinforcing our commitment to providing exceptional service.
“We are confident that Lingling’s expertise and leadership will play a crucial role in shaping our strategic direction,” said Andrei Grachev, Managing Partner of DWF Labs. “Her deep understanding of our industry and dedication to excellence make her the ideal leader to take our business development efforts to new heights.”
We look forward to the continued growth and success of DWF Labs under Lingling’s leadership in Business Development. We remain committed to our mission of driving innovation, creating value for our partners, and supporting the success of our portfolio companies.
DWF Labs has been awarded Best Liquidity Provider for the second time at the prestigious Blockchain Life Awards 2024 in Dubai. This marks our second consecutive win in this category, highlighting our continued commitment to delivering unparalleled crypto liquidity solutions and supporting the growth of the Web3 ecosystem.
This award is a testament to our dedication to innovation, resilience, and exceptional service in the digital finance space. We are grateful for the recognition from industry leaders and for the trust placed in us by our clients and partners. Our focus remains on enhancing crypto market stability and fostering growth, making Web3 markets more efficient, accessible, and reliable.
As we move forward, we are excited to continue working with visionary Web3 founders and promising blockchain projects. If you’re looking for a partner to help drive crypto liquidity, stability, and growth in your project, DWF Labs is here to support you.
October 18, 2024 — DWF Labs, a prominent market maker and investor in the Web3 and digital asset space, is pleased to announce the expansion of their trading platform to include options trading on Web3 assets. This development marks a significant advancement in the range of financial instruments available to traders and reflects DWF Labs’ commitment to providing comprehensive and sophisticated trading solutions in the rapidly evolving digital asset marketplace.
The introduction of options trading on DWF Labs’ platform arrives at a time when the demand for advanced risk management tools and flexible trading strategies is growing within the digital asset community. Options trading allows traders to hedge positions, speculate on market movements, and gain more nuanced control over their portfolios—capabilities that are essential in the dynamic Web3 landscape.
Andrei Grachev, Managing Partner at DWF Labs, commented on the launch: "The decision to offer options to the market participants is a natural progression in our mission to support the crypto industry. We aim to make options simple and easily available for crypto players, from degens to institutions."
In addition to standard options contracts, DWF Labs is offering bespoke options products tailored to the specific needs of their clients through their Options Concierges. This customised approach underscores the firm's dedication to providing not just broad market access but also tailored solutions to address the unique challenges and opportunities within the Web3 space.
As a key market maker, DWF Labs plays a crucial role in providing liquidity and stability to the markets they serve. The introduction of options trading is expected to contribute positively to market depth and resilience, offering participants more tools to manage risk and enhance their trading strategies. This development is also seen as a step towards attracting a broader range of participants, including those who require more sophisticated instruments to operate effectively in the digital asset markets.
With this latest advancement, DWF Labs continues to solidify their position as a leader in the digital finance sector, providing innovative solutions that support the growth and evolution of the Web3 ecosystem. The firm remains committed to expanding their offerings in line with market needs and technological advancements, ensuring that their platform remains at the forefront of the digital asset trading industry.
Learn more: https://www.dwf-labs.com/options
It's been a month since the launch of DWF Labs's Cloudbreak Fund, in which we’ve pledged $20M USD to support promising Web3 projects within Chinese-speaking regions. With over 90 project submissions in just the past four weeks, the fund is well on its way to fostering innovation and providing crucial market-making (MM) support to Chinese-speaking founders and projects seeking support with their liquidity and ecosystem growth.
As the new generation Web3 investor and market maker, we provide financial backing to our stellar portfolio of over 700+ projects, including 20% of the top 100 projects ranked on CoinMarketCap, and 44% of the top 1000 projects ranked by the same. Our work with Web3 projects and founders in these regions extends beyond financial backing and market-making. We understand that sustainable growth for projects requires personalised and comprehensive support. This is why we have a dedicated team providing 24/7 support. This has enabled DWF Labs to grow rapidly, granting us the title of Bybit’s Top Liquidity Provider in 2023; amongst other accolades.
DWF Labs has long been a supporter of projects from Chinese-speaking regions, with some examples being Mask Network and Yuliverse; to name a few. Besides substantial investments in Mask Network, which went towards bolstering its ecosystem and market presence, we’ve also helped to further its scalability and reach by facilitating the integration of its social protocols on TON. Additionally, our partnership with Yuliverse, a gaming social metaverse platform, also helped expand its capabilities and influence through introductions within our vast network and dedicated portfolio support.
The Cloudbreak Fund was established to further provide liquidity and support to burgeoning Chinese-speaking projects in the Web3 space. The initial response has been overwhelmingly positive, with Andrei Grachev, Managing Partner at DWF Labs, expressing gratitude for the community's engagement. "We are grateful for the community's support. The proactive engagement from so many projects reassures us that we are on the right path to build and grow together. Over the past weeks, we have focused on enhancing our services with a broader range of offerings, especially in market-making deals, striving to add value and establish long-term partnerships with our projects," said Grachev.
The Cloudbreak Fund will nurture groundbreaking initiatives in the realms of GameFi, SocialFi, Memecoins, DeFi, AI, and Layer 1/Layer 2 infrastructure projects. This provides outstanding projects the resources needed to realise their fullest potential.
Chinese-speaking projects operating within the above categories are invited to apply to the Cloudbreak Fund and take advantage of the opportunity to accelerate their growth and gain a foothold in the Web3 ecosystem.
We are committed to fostering innovation and growth in the Web3 space, and look forward to building with you in your growth journey.
Apply for the Cloudbreak Fund here: https://www.dwf-labs.com/cloudbreak
DWF Labs在2024年7月4日正式推出Cloudbreak 2000万美元的加密原生基金，该基金专注于支持华语地区的顶尖Web3项目，覆盖了GameFi、SocialFi、Memes、DeFi、L1/L2 基础设施以及 AI等关键领域。短短四周内，此项基金吸引了大量项目方的关注，并收到了高达90多个项目的申请，充分彰显了DWF Labs致力于推动华语区项目的创新增长和生态发展的决心和影响力。
DWF Labs管理合伙人Andrei Grachev对此成果表示了衷心感谢，他表示：“我非常感谢社区的大力支持。有如此多项目的参与，让我们更坚信DWF Labs 走在一条正确的道路上，与社区共同成长和创新。过去几周内，我们也加大了服务项目范围的拓展，尤其是造市方面，已经推出了更有竞争力合作方案， 侧重于推进项目的快速成长。”
作为全球领先的Web3投资者和造市商，DWF Labs不仅在2023年荣膺Bybit最佳流动性提供商称号，还成功与 20% CMC排名前100的项目，以及44%排名前1000的项目达成合作。 其成功之道不仅限于作为造市商为市场提供流动性和有效性，更在于其关注为项目提供个性化和全方位的运营战略支持。 DWF Labs 拥有全时区不停休的专业团队，在有效满足流动性核心需求的同时，也为项目提供了投资、生态伙伴关系等全球化资源，助力其在全球范围内蓬勃发展。
DWF Labs 与华语区域的项目有着一贯的紧密合作和成功案例。例如 Mask Network，在为项目注入大量资金支持的同时还帮助其筹划了生态发展方案，促进其在 TON 上的集成社交协议;另外在与游戏社交元宇宙平台 Yuliverse 的合作中，更是体现了DWF Labs的增值服务，为其提供生态伙伴和全球资源网络，从而提升项目的知名度和影响力。
在接下来的一个月内，Cloudbreak基金诚心邀请所有阶段快速发展的优质华语区项目方的积极参与进来，期待我们在您成长的旅程中与您一起携手共建。
请点击这里: https://www.dwf-labs.com/cloudbreak
In a significant move for the TrueFiDAO $TRU community, DWF Labs has been in continuous engagement with the platform, providing proposals and actively participating in community meetings.
This collaboration has culminated in DWF Labs becoming the market maker for the $TRU token, a development expected to be officially announced in the coming days.
The timeline of events leading to this partnership is as follows:
1. May 27: A proposal to use DWF Labs as the market maker was initiated on the forum.
2. July 2: The proposal was put to vote on Tally, and by July 10, it was passed unanimously and subsequently implemented.
3. Recent Transactions: Approximately 13 hours ago, address 0xBbc…99E72 received 7.5 million TRU tokens, aligning with the terms of the proposal.
Notable points of $TRU market making agreement to monitor
The key points of the market-making agreement are outlined as follows:
– Number of Tokens Loaned: 7.5 million TRU
– Time Period: 24 months
– Yield: DWF Labs offers a 3% annual interest rate, paid every four weeks in stablecoins (USDT/USDC).
– Market Making Target: Maintain a bid-ask spread of 35 basis points.
This partnership is designed to enhance liquidity and stability for the $TRU token, benefiting both TrueFiDAO and its community of users. The strategic involvement of DWF Labs aims to ensure that the $TRU token maintains a competitive and efficient market presence.
The engagement with DWF Labs marks a pivotal moment for TrueFiDAO, as it seeks to leverage professional market-making services to optimize token performance and market stability.
This collaboration not only underscores TrueFiDAO’s commitment to enhancing its ecosystem but also highlights the growing importance of professional market makers in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space. As the partnership unfolds, stakeholders will be keenly observing the impact on $TRU’s liquidity and overall market dynamics.