Coinbase Summit DC - Networking Conversations Summary

Overview

On May 14, 2025, Gary Sheng attended the Coinbase summit in Washington DC, using the opportunity to network with various professionals in the crypto, blockchain, and technology spaces. Though not attending the event specifically for the crypto content (Gary mentioned being in DC primarily for a White House meeting with a spiritual advisor scheduled for May 16), the summit provided valuable networking opportunities. Throughout the event, Gary connected with several individuals, discussing his current work with AI-based education, a vinyl record library project, and other initiatives.

Key Connections & Conversations

James Wolff (XPRIZE Connection)

• Background: Previously met Gary at the Future of Humanity Summit

• Current Work: Connected to XPRIZE, developing an app launched that week

• Key Discussion Points:

  "So that's why I'm excited, and it's happening at the same time. I've been building that app since Monday. So that'll be launched."

• XPRIZE Scaling: James discussed scaling XPRIZE with a focus on educational components

  "Yeah, so that was the first time that Amir's actually brought that up to me, that he's trying to scale X Prize, and what he's trying to do with it. And the way that he wants, he is very much focused on the educational component."

• Mutual Connections: Discussed Jason, James's contact at XPRIZE West Coast

  "Jason is my contact on the West Coast at XPRIZE, but I have other contacts there as well."

• Time Management Challenges: Mentioned need for AI automation for follow-ups

  "I need, like, the digital AI to keep following up on so much, so much, non-stop."

Chet Love (The Fundstone Group International)

• Professional Role: CEO of a management consulting firm in DC

  "So yeah, I'm the CEO of a management consulting firm here in D.C. called The Fundstone Group International. So we do a lot of management consulting, fractional COO, fractional G.C., work with a lot of tech companies and other..."

• Policy Connection: Board member of the Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy

  "And then I also sit on the board of the Joseph Rennie Center for Public Policy. So it's a think tank based in N.D.C. But we do national work all across the country, and so crypto is one of the spaces that we work in."

• Faith-Based Healthcare Initiative: Developing a medical center in Fresno

  "And so what we're doing right now is we're actually building a medical center out in Fresno. One of the things that we're looking to do is actually bring..."

  "So we're trying to build more relationships with those folks in terms of making America healthy again, and faith-based, to really help them understand what we're doing, and show them the beauty of us being able to expand into the world."

• Medical Education Innovation: Interest in AI applications for medical training

  "Yeah, I mean, so I think for us, we're looking at, as we're building this out, it's like, okay, you can have your traditional med school, but is there a way to think about AI where you're rethinking about medical..."

Darin Carter (Edge City/SRL Connection)

• Mutual Connections: Discussed Edge City and SRL, ventures Gary previously advised

  "I think you've got a million different projects that you're advising. Are you still advising Edge City and SRL?"

  "Well, I saw that they were doing something in New York the other day. They did something at McCarry Park. I wasn't able to make it, but I was like, oh, I saw Edge City."

• High-Profile Connections: Mentioned David Sachs and his network

  "Oh, Drew Hanlon knows David Sachs, he trains like his nephew or something like that."

  "David Sachs as in the crypto guy? He's the AI and crypto czar."

• Vinyl Library Interest: Showed interest in the vinyl record library project

  "But also, it's physical, right? Like, you go to the library, you check out the records, you take them on tour for three months, and then bring them back. So like, literally, in the same way you check out books from a library, it's vinyl records."

Gilberto Nazario (Maryland Crypto Community)

• Previous Connection: Had met Gary at a Coinbase event approximately a year ago

  "We met at a coinbase event a year ago, right?"

• Local Focus: Building crypto community and education in Maryland

  "I am building Maryland up when it comes to the grassroots movement, which is none. Identify all the builders..."

• Veteran Education: Teaching blockchain to veterans

  "I teach the veterans. I go teach the veterans. I have a boost to blockchain now."

  "I thought up two weeks ago how to buy code."

• Crypto Founders Network: Part of a crypto founders cohort

  "They're part of my cohort. They're like all crypto founders."

Charles (World Mobile)

• Brief Interaction: Quick introduction and contact exchange via NFC
• International Focus: Traveling to Seoul for community building

  "I'm flying now to So Seoul, South Korea. I love it. I'm going to try and build a community. I'm not there yet, but I can't wait."

Unnamed University Student

• Nonprofit Work: Building support for university students in crypto

  "I'm building a non-profit to support university students and non-profit activities in Michigan. So we hosted a conference at Michigan this past November. We brought 36 universities there, about 200 students I think."

• Recent Graduate: Just completed studies and joining a venture firm

  "I just graduated last week actually. I just left yesterday for the final time to come straight here."

  "Right now I'm joining a venture firm called Portal Ventures. It's a small firm, two people, so it's anywhere. I'll be in New York, yeah."

Gary's Projects & Updates Shared

Alpha Schools / AI Education

• Two-Hour Learning Model: Described innovative AI-based education approach

  "The way that we do that is with the best, world's best AI tool that gets them through the conflict war in the first two hours of the day, and they can spend the whole rest of the day on their computer."

• Joe Lamont Connection: Mentioned working with a billionaire in Austin

  "So, my top buckets of work right now is, I started almost like shadow studioing for this six richest man in Austin. And his focus is on AI-based education."

  "So he has like, these schools that have been iterating, iterating over the last 10 years, and we're finally now ready to scale in different parts of the world."

• Efficiency Focus: Emphasized the efficiency of the educational model

  "The whole model is that they get through the kids get through the common core curriculum in the first two hours a day with AI hype the best and then they hold a whole rest of the day, right?"

Vinyl Record Library Project

• Public Library Concept: Described a physical vinyl record library

  "Build a public library for vinyl records. Like AI searchable, hopefully."

• Digital Component: Mentioned potential AI integration

  "And I, you know, we talked about vibe coding, like, this is easy, bro. And I'm going to put an AI native, It's a sociable public library for vinyl records."

• New York Trip: Planning to visit a vinyl store in NY that weekend

  "I'm going to New York to visit my friend who has the best vinyl store in New York."

White House Meeting

• Upcoming Meeting: Mentioned White House visit with spiritual advisor

  "I'm here for a White House trip. I'm going to be with a top spiritual advisor at the White House on Saturday, but also stacked up a bunch of meetings."

Themes & Points of Interest

Networking Dynamics

• The conversations reflect a highly networked environment with multiple connections across different sectors
• Many participants already had prior connections or mutual acquaintances
• Technology (NFC, digital contact sharing) played a role in networking
• Frequent references to people not present indicated the importance of reputation and connections

Intersection of Technology Fields

• Discussions frequently crossed between crypto, AI, education, healthcare, and other domains
• Several conversations touched on applying technology to traditional fields (education, healthcare)
• AI was mentioned throughout as both a tool and focus area
• Physical and digital worlds merging (vinyl records with AI searchability)

Education Innovation Focus

• Multiple conversations centered on reinventing traditional education models
• AI integration was a central theme in educational discussions
• Several mentions of efficiency and effectiveness in learning approaches
• Interest in specialized education (medical, blockchain for veterans)

Community Building Emphasis

• Several participants focused on building communities around technology
• Local, national, and international community development mentioned
• Emphasis on bringing underrepresented groups (veterans) into technological spaces
• Recognition of the importance of in-person networking despite digital tools

Next Steps Identified

1. New York Connections: Follow up with contacts regarding New York visit that weekend

   "I'm in New York this weekend. If you're around..."

2. Vinyl Library Development: Continue conversations about the vinyl record library project with interested parties

   "We're talking about the tech side of what that looks like."

3. Education Innovation Collaboration: Connect Chet Love's medical education interests with Joe Lamont's AI education model

   "The billionaire I work with is very opportunistic about what, and it has to be businesses, opportunistic about experimental models of education..."

4. XPRIZE Partnership Exploration: Follow up with James Wolff about potential XPRIZE connections

   "Jason is my contact on the West Coast at XPRIZE, but I have other contacts there as well."

5. White House Meeting Preparation: Transition focus to upcoming White House meeting with spiritual advisor

   "I'm going to be with a top spiritual advisor at the White House on Saturday..."

Context and Significance

This Coinbase summit networking experience demonstrates Gary's ability to connect across diverse professional spaces, from crypto to education to faith-based initiatives. While primarily in DC for other purposes, Gary effectively leveraged the event to advance multiple projects simultaneously, particularly the AI education work with Joe Lamont and the vinyl record library concept.

The conversations reveal Gary's current professional positioning at the intersection of education innovation, technology, and various community-building efforts. His work with Joe Lamont on AI-based education appears to be a central focus, with other initiatives like the vinyl record library serving as complementary projects that engage different parts of his network.

The conversations also highlight Gary's approach to networking—connecting people across his network, identifying potential collaborations, and maintaining relationships even when his direct involvement with projects has decreased.