A New Horizon for Web3 Innovation
The year is 2025, and the global blockchain ecosystem is evolving faster than ever. In that context, the Web3 Unleashed #3 competition stands out as a major turning-point. Co-hosted by DMCC and Bybit, this event brings together trail-blazing Web3 projects from around the world. With the grand finale set for 26 November 2025 in Dubai, we’re on the cusp of seeing which teams will step into the spotlight. (Bybit Announcements)
Over recent months, hundreds of applications poured in; after careful screening, only ten teams have advanced to the finale. These finalists will pitch live in Dubai, compete for USDT 140,000 in prizes, and earn exposure to investors, ecosystem partners, and global audiences. (GlobeNewswire)
In this blog post, we’ll explore the significance of this competition, introduce the finalists, examine the key tracks and themes driving innovation, and reflect on what this means for the Web3 ecosystem at large.
Setting the Stage: What’s Organized Here
To frame things properly: Web3 Unleashed #3 is not just another hackathon. It’s a high-profile, globally accessible platform designed to accelerate real-world Web3 projects with tangible impact. Here are the critical details:
- Organized by DMCC — Dubai’s global free zone and business district that hosts thousands of tech & crypto firms. (GlobeNewswire)
- Co-hosted by Bybit, a major crypto exchange and ecosystem builder. (GlobeNewswire)
- Prize pool is USDT 140,000 (i.e., USD equivalent) for this edition. (Web3GPT)
- Two new tracks added in 2025: DeFAI (Decentralised Finance + Artificial Intelligence) and DeSci (Decentralised Science & research). (GlobeNewswire)
- Other tracks continue: DeFi, Web3 Gaming, SocialFi, Infrastructure, Tokenization. (GlobeNewswire)
- Timeline: Applications opened 1 Sept, closed 5 Oct; remote screening; top 10 announced; final demo day in Dubai on 26 Nov 2025. (GlobeNewswire)
So in essence: teams globally applied, various jury rounds filtered down to ten finalists, and on 26 Nov they’ll present live in Dubai to a curated audience of investors, advisors and ecosystem leaders. (Bybit Announcements)
Why This Competition Holds Weight
When you dig into the build-of this event, you recognise several strong signals for the Web3 ecosystem:
Global Reach + Local Ecosystem Hybrid
It’s global in reach (anyone could apply from anywhere), yet anchored in a strong regional ecosystem—Dubai’s DMCC Crypto Centre which now hosts hundreds of crypto & Web3 firms. (GlobeNewswire) This hybrid model means the competition offers both online accessibility and in-person kick-off at scale.
Cash-and-Connections
The prize pool (USDT 140 k) is meaningful for early-stage projects. But just as important: the live demo in Dubai gives finalists access to investors, mentors and ecosystem stakeholders who might otherwise be hard to reach. Exposure matters.
Focused on Emerging Frontiers
The addition of tracks like DeFAI and DeSci show an evolution beyond “basic Web3” into hybrid domains (AI + finance; science + decentralisation). This signals where smart builders are turning next. (Web3GPT)
Positioning Dubai as Web3 Launchpad
With DMCC asserting that the Web3 market could hit USD 40 billion by 2030 (in their view), this event positions Dubai as a launchpad for global Web3 innovation. (GlobeNewswire)
Meet the Finalist Teams
The finalists in Web3 Unleashed #3 are now public, and here are the ten standout teams: (Bybit Announcements)
- Sorachain AI
- Forg3t Protocol
- XHYPE
- Glint Analytics
- (and others — the full list is available on Bybit’s announcement)
While I don’t have detailed public profiles for each team at this moment, the names alone hint at the diversity of approaches: AI-driven chains, novel protocols around forgetting or memory (Forg3t?), hype/branding in Web3 (XHYPE), analytics frameworks (Glint) and more.
For any of these teams, pitching in front of a live stage in Dubai is a major chance to scale. The pressure is high — but so is the potential.
Themes to Watch: What Things Are Trending
When reflecting on the competition and the industry, several themes jump out. These are the spaces I’ll be watching over the next 12-24 months.
1. DeFAI (Decentralised Finance + AI)
Financial systems are being re-imagined with AI support; Web3 Unleashed’s DeFAI track invites applications combining traditional DeFi structures (liquidity, lending, decentralised exchanges) with AI layers (prediction markets, analytics, risk modelling). This hybridisation is increasingly seen as the next frontier. (GlobeNewswire)
2. DeSci (Decentralised Science)
What happens when research, science and data are decentralised? The DeSci track invites projects oriented toward transparency in science, open data, modular research funding, tokenised results. This is a less saturated but potentially very impactful frontier. (Web3GPT)
3. Tokenisation & Infrastructure
Beyond user-facing apps, Web3 continues to grapple with infrastructure: tokenisation of real-world assets, interoperability, modular protocols, and building the plumbing that others will use. Events like this encourage players in that space.
4. Web3 Gaming & SocialFi
Gaming and social primitives have long been viewed as “killer use-cases” for Web3. With blockchain gaming still evolving and SocialFi (social networks + incentives) still under-explored, these remain compelling.
The Finale Event: What to Expect on 26 November
On 26 November 2025 the stage is set: the ten finalists will present live at the event hosted in Dubai (specifically at “S/O Uptown Dubai” in DMCC’s flagship commercial tower). (GlobeNewswire)
What will happen?
- Each team will make a demo/pitch to a panel of judges comprised of Web3 leaders, ecosystem partners and investors.
- The projects will be evaluated not just on idea, but execution, market potential, team strength, and clarity of product.
- Prizes will be awarded (from the USDT 140k pool) – exact breakdown perhaps disclosed at the event.
- Beyond the prizes, the key value is exposure: for teams to be seen by investors, partner orgs, media.
- Networking and ecosystem-building: often the real long-term value of such events is meeting fellow builders, mentors and stakeholders.
If you’re attending (or following), pay attention to live announcements, potential investor interest and perhaps follow-ups post-event.
What This Means for Builders, Investors & the Ecosystem
This competition isn’t just a one-off. It carries signals for multiple stakeholders:
For Builders
If you’re building a Web3 project, seeing this platform is motivational. It’s a reminder that global opportunities exist, and getting into a well-scoped competition can catalyse visibility. Use this as a learning: clear value proposition, strong demo, market relevance matter.
Also, interesting to note: the eligibility and the focus areas (DeFAI, DeSci, etc) suggest being at the intersection of disciplines is increasingly rewarded.
For Investors & Ecosystem Partners
For investors, this is a “deal-flow funnel”. Events like Web3 Unleashed #3 help surface early-stage but pre-validated projects. For ecosystem partners (accelerators, VCs, corporates) it allows scouting of emerging talent globally.
For the Web3 Ecosystem
On a macro level, the event helps validate that Web3 is maturing. It is being framed not just as speculative crypto but as building infrastructure, bridging AI, science, real-world asset tokenisation etc. That helps broader credibility and perhaps regulatory comfort.
For Dubai & Regional Hubs
Finally, this event reinforces Dubai (via DMCC) as a regional hub for Web3 innovation. That means more talent, more investment, and potentially more startups being drawn to that geography.
Key Take-aways & Reflections
- The fact that hundreds of teams applied and now only ten remain signals deep interest and tough competition.
- The USDT 140,000 prize pool is substantial but the exposure may be even more valuable for early-stage teams.
- The addition of DeFAI and DeSci shows forward-looking scope: Web3 is not static, it’s evolving into hybrid domains.
- A live demo day in Dubai means in-person presence still matters – remote-only won’t suffice.
- For the audience, following the demo day is worthwhile: you’ll get insight into emerging cohort of Web3 builders.
What Comes After?
Post-event, several things will likely unfold:
- Winning teams will announce partnerships, funding rounds, product launches.
- Even non-winners may benefit from the exposure: press mentions, investor interest, collaborations.
- The broader ecosystem will watch what lessons emerge from the finalists: which tracks succeeded, what kinds of business models looked compelling, what geographies the teams came from.
- For future editions (Web3 Unleashed #4 & beyond), we may see further refinement of tracks, increased prize pools, deeper regional representation.
So from a builder’s perspective, if you didn’t make the final ten this time — pay attention to how this event was structured and position yourself for the next cycle.
Some Practical Tips for Participants and Attendees
Whether you’re building a Web3 project or simply attending to learn, here are a few practical tips:
- Polish your demo — reality meets demo day, so having a working product or strong prototype matters.
- Tell a clear story — articulate the problem you solve, why Web3 is the right layer, what your traction looks like (even early).
- Make your differentiator obvious — with dozens of Web3 events, you need to clarify what sets your project apart (e.g., AI integration, tokenised science pipeline, novel UX).
- Network proactively — use the event not just for pitch but for meeting peers, mentors, investors. After all, often value lies beyond prize money.
- Follow-up hard — after the event, send thank-yous, maintain relationships, share updates. Many partnerships start post-demo.
- Be ready for regulatory/environmental context — especially if your project bridges finance, tokens, or real-world assets. Having clarity on compliance may help investor confidence.
Final Thoughts
As the clock ticks toward 26 November 2025, all eyes will be on Dubai. The ten finalist teams of Web3 Unleashed #3 have already done the hard work: filtering through hundreds of applications and making it to the live stage. The next step — presenting live, securing prizes, gaining visibility — may well define a turning point for some of them.
For the broader Web3 ecosystem, this competition is a microcosm of where things are headed: deeper integration of AI, science, finance, and decentralised infrastructure. It is less about hype and more about execution, meaningful innovation, and global reach.
If you’re in the game — as a builder, investor, advisor, or enthusiast — the event is worth following closely. And if you didn’t get in this time around, take notes: the next wave will surely come, and being ready matters.
Here’s to the finalists. Here’s to innovation. And here’s to the future of Web3 being built today.
Sources:
- DMCC and Bybit launch Web3 Unleashed #3 with USD 140,000 prize pool. (GlobeNewswire)
- DMCC Crypto Centre x Bybit announcement: Meet the finalists in Dubai. (Bybit Announcements)
- Social media posts confirming finalists and date. (Facebook)
