Top of the chain

The Star

10-05-2025

Hacking it right: (From left) Yi En, Htet, Tan, Xin Rou and Teh at ETHGlobal Taipei 2025.
ASIA Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) has made headlines on the global blockchain stage.
A team of bright minds from the institution's Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Club (APUBCC) – Teh Jun Heng, Lee Yi En, Lee Xin Rou, Htet Aung Hlaing and Tan Wei Hup – secured the top prize at ETHGlobal Taipei 2025 for their groundbreaking innovation, ENSpin.
ENSpin took first place in the Ethereum Name Service (ENS) Infrastructure category, earning the team US$2,500 (RM10,780) and well-deserved recognition in the global blockchain community.
Their innovation targets a key component of the Ethereum ecosystem: the ENS, a decentralised naming protocol.
ENSpin strengthens the ENS system by automatically scanning the blockchain and 'pinning' files on the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), ensuring persistent access to vital data.
The wordplay behind ENSpin directly reflects its core function – spinning up reliability for ENS-linked IPFS content.
It was this fresh take on infrastructure that earned APUBCC the win.
With more than 1,600 members, APUBCC is currently the world's largest tertiary blockchain community.
At the heart of APUBCC's successful innovation story is the varsity's chief innovation and enterprise officer Prof Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam.
'ENSpin's success reflects APU's vibrant ecosystem – from real-world industry collaborations to APUBCC's ever-evolving workshops, our students are empowered to lead Web3 innovation beyond borders,' Prof Vinesh said, adding that the milestone is part of a broader journey that began in 2021, when APU strengthened its focus on blockchain, cryptography and consensus systems.
For team lead Teh, the experience was intense, inspiring and unforgettable.
'Our first ETHGlobal was like diving headfirst into a firestorm – we were constantly challenged, tested and pushed to think beyond limits,' he said.
Their solution tool was meticulously engineered to tackle a crucial flaw in a decentralised infrastructure: the impermanence of IPFS-hosted assets tied to ENS names.
ENSpin ensures that digital avatars, metadata and website links remain reliably accessible over time.
But the path to success was not without obstacles as the team wrestled with time constraints, intricate system integrations and the pressure of developing a robust prototype within a mere 36 hours.
'Clear communication and smart delegation were key. Under pressure, we had to be perfectly in sync – every decision had to count,' Teh shared.
Beyond the win, the team gained invaluable hands-on experience with ENS and IPFS systems.
The collaborative environment and exposure to the international blockchain community offered fresh insights and widened their professional networks.
'Engaging directly with industry and fellow developers gave us a rare look into the forefront of Web3 innovation,' Teh said, adding that the event did not just boost their tech skills, but also tested and sharpened their team dynamics as they learnt how to work under pressure, pivot quickly and still keep the bigger vision in sight.
Describing the experience as 'transformative', the team said the electric atmosphere, encouragement from mentors and energy of like-minded peers made the journey unforgettable.
Participating in ETHGlobal enriched their academic journey too, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. The challenges refined their problem-solving mindset and broadened their career outlook.
The team now stands poised to explore even greater innovations in blockchain, carrying with them the confidence and credibility gained from their ETHGlobal success.
Held in Taipei, Taiwan, from April 4 to 6, ETHGlobal brought together over 600 hackathon participants from more than 30 countries, all eager to create the next big solution in blockchain development.
Across a whirlwind 36-hour hackathon, 115 teams competed, showcasing projects built with Ethereum's decentralised technologies.