Singapore-based crypto exchange Crypto.com has kicked off its inaugural Asia-Pacific hackathon that invites participants across the region to submit ideas that apply Web3 and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered solutions to address the most critical areas of need in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The hackathon aims to promote responsible innovation in the space of Web3 and AI to solve these critical global sustainability issues, with guidance and insights from its academic partners and experts at Singapore Management University and Melbourne Business School.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015, provides a blueprint to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Now at the midpoint in the journey to 2030, Crypto.com is aligning the problem statements of its hackathon to the SDGs that require the most support at this time. Specifically, participants are encouraged to focus submissions on goal 4 of quality education, goal 8 of decent work and economic growth, or goal 13 of climate action.

Through this strategic initiative and partnership, the platform says it “commits to further strengthen the thought leadership and talent pipeline in Singapore and further elevate Singapore’s status as the global hub for responsible innovation in Web3 and AI”.

“Helping to foster innovation and the talent pipeline are key components to our commitment of effectively and responsibly advancing Web3,” adds Prash Pandit, the platform’s senior vice-president for product and innovation. “We look forward to reviewing submissions from across the Asia-Pacific region and helping advance conceptual ideas to an exciting reality.”