EthCC8 Review: A New Era of AI, Stablecoin, and Decentralized Finance

The 8th Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC[8]) will be held in Cannes, France from June 30 to July 3, attracting over 6,500 industry participants. As one of the most important gatherings of Ethereum developers in Europe, this year's conference showcases the increasingly mature and vibrant landscape of the Web3 ecosystem, driven by the integration of the real world, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and the resurgence of Decentralized Finance.

This conference focuses on three key themes:

AI Agents: From Hype to Practicality

AI in Web3 is undergoing a significant transformation, shifting from the initial pursuit of token-driven hype to focusing on practical functionality and long-term applications. Development teams are no longer designing products around speculative profits but are prioritizing usability, verifiability, and business models that go beyond mere token economies.

This evolution has given rise to new architectural blueprints that integrate large language models for decision-making, smart contracts for execution, and verifiable systems for trust and security. For example, certain ecosystems are introducing infrastructure that allows AI agents to participate in commercial activities through executable protocols, covering milestones, service terms, and payment conditions.

To support this transformation, developers are building the foundational layer of the agent economy, including tools for monetization, communication between agents, attribution, and performance evaluation. These components will enable agents to interact, collaborate, and compete in dynamic markets, unlocking models such as recommendation-based systems and interoperability for specific tasks.

Stablecoin and RWA: The Cornerstone of Institutional Finance

Stablecoins have become an indispensable part of the global financial ecosystem. Recent regulatory measures have brought much-needed clarity, positioning stablecoins as compliant mainstream application tools. This shift is sparking interest among institutional investors, with major financial institutions beginning to utilize stablecoins for payments, settlements, and fund management.

At the same time, tokenized RWAs, from capital management to decentralized lending systems, are rapidly expanding. These assets are reshaping capital markets by introducing features such as programmability, transparency, and cost structures that traditional finance cannot match.

AI-driven systems can autonomously optimize stablecoin yields and RWA allocations across chains and protocols, further enhancing this landscape. Intelligent rebalancing mechanisms, risk mitigation engines, and cross-chain portfolio execution are designed to balance performance and compliance.

Decentralized Finance Revival: Smarter and Safer

After nearly two years of contraction, DeFi is regaining its development momentum, focusing on security, efficiency, and interoperability. The next wave will be shaped by cross-chain liquidity layers, institutional-grade compliance, and AI-driven automation. The emphasis has shifted from chasing short-term gains to building sustainable systems that can withstand volatility.

A highlight of EthCC8 is the new version of a well-known protocol, which introduces a unified liquidity layer that enables seamless cross-chain lending, a dynamic interest rate mechanism, and stronger risk control. This upgrade also deepens the integration with stablecoins, including features such as soft liquidation and automated fund management.

AI-driven automation is accelerating this evolution. Autonomous agents are now able to optimize liquidity supply, execute hedging strategies, and identify high-yield opportunities across multiple chains. Predictive analytics are helping protocols foresee and mitigate risks before they escalate.

Overall, EthCC8 showcased the vitality and resilience of the Ethereum ecosystem. Every conversation with Web3 developers demonstrated bold ideas and groundbreaking products, continuously pushing the boundaries of Web3. These exchanges not only reinforced the industry’s confidence in Ethereum as a pillar of decentralized innovation but also enhanced optimism that future real-world applications will drive mass adoption.