Growth Lead's Role in Team

Growth A Coffee Chat With D's Friends | Sanghyeon Eom

**Disclaimer) The opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewer and do not represent the official statement of DeSpread.

Hello! This is Eunji Cho from DeSpread. DeSpread is a company made up of ‘Degens’ who are deeply immersed in the Web3 industry. While each team member has a unique personality, we all share a common DNA—our genuine passion for Web3. We work in a flexible and open environment, yet each of us demonstrates a high level of professionalism in our respective areas.

In the previous session of <D’s Friends Coffee Chat>, we interviewed Byoungjoon Kim, a researcher at DeSpread. In this edition, I had the opportunity to sit down with Sanghyeon Eom (also known as “Sose”), DeSpread’s Growth Lead. With years of experience in Web3, Sanghyeon has developed deep insights and strategic expertise.

As DeSpread’s Growth Lead, Sanghyeon is responsible for identifying and executing key factors essential for the company’s expansion. He plays a critical role in strengthening DeSpread’s presence in the Web3 market.

In this interview, we explored the secrets to building sustainable growth strategies in the fast-evolving Web3 industry and what sets DeSpread apart from others in the space.

Eunji: Could you introduce yourself?

“Hello, I’m Sanghyeon Eom, the Growth Lead at DeSpread. Many people in the Web3 space might be more familiar with my nickname, ‘Sose.’ Currently, I manage the ‘Crypto Offroad (DYOR)’ Telegram channel and contribute as a writer for ‘The Ticker is ETH’ channel.”

Eunji: How did you get into Web3?

“I first learned about Web3 and crypto during my military service. Many soldiers typically invest in military savings accounts, but I didn’t find that option attractive. So, I started studying investments in my spare time, which eventually led me to discover funds and take my first steps into investing.

Around 2016, I made my first crypto investment through Bithumb. However, I wasn’t just interested in trading—I wanted to understand how these assets were created and developed, which led me to study the space more deeply.

At the time, information was scarce. Searching on Naver yielded almost no results, so I started reading whitepapers in English, summarizing them, and posting my findings on a blog. Running that blog consistently for two to three years allowed me to build deeper expertise.

After completing my military service, I naturally became involved in Web3 communities while attending university. Through these interactions, I received multiple offers, which led me to officially start my career in Web3. Looking back, I’ve essentially become a ‘crypto native.’”

Eunji: Having been in the industry for eight years, how has Web3 evolved compared to when you first started?

“As more mainnets have emerged and the ecosystem has expanded, it has become increasingly important to specialize rather than try to cover everything. In the past, mainnets had only a few DApps, but now they host numerous applications across various sectors—not just DeFi, but also AI, meme coins, DePIN, and DeSci. This diversification has led to an increase in specialists who focus deeply on specific areas.

Another major shift is the growing recognition of crypto as an asset class. In the past, even Bitcoin struggled to gain trust, and the broader Web3 industry was often dismissed. However, as regulatory frameworks have developed, traditional financial institutions have begun to acknowledge crypto’s legitimacy.

The quality of industry participants has also improved significantly. Previously, many approached crypto with a get-rich-quick mentality, leading to short-lived projects that often failed. Nowadays, teams are more focused on long-term ecosystem building and sustainable growth, fostering a more mature environment.

Additionally, the perception of Korea within the blockchain space has changed. Global projects are now actively hiring Asia- and Korea-specific leads, reflecting their increasing interest in entering the Korean market.”

Eunji: Why did you choose DeSpread?

“At first, I was skeptical about DeSpread’s business model. Many Web3 consulting firms existed, and in my experience, lower-quality projects tended to spend more on marketing, while legitimate ones were often more conservative with their budgets. This dynamic led to many consulting firms working primarily with less credible projects, which ultimately harmed their reputation and sustainability.

However, DeSpread stood out by taking a different approach. Instead of chasing short-term profits, it carefully selected promising projects and built trust by genuinely contributing to their growth. Watching the company gradually establish itself convinced me that DeSpread was not just focused on revenue generation but had a clear vision and a defined role in the Web3 space.

I was particularly drawn to DeSpread’s collaborations with globally recognized Web3 projects. Additionally, I appreciated the company’s strong culture of open discussion and deep research. The team is full of people who are passionate about their respective fields, making it an environment where in-depth conversations lead to mutual growth. These factors ultimately convinced me to join.”

Eunji: As the Growth Lead at DeSpread, what are your key responsibilities?

“Many people associate growth leadership with growth marketing, but my role encompasses much more than that. My primary responsibility is identifying and executing the factors necessary for DeSpread’s growth.

Because Web3 growth strategies are not yet standardized, there aren’t many established case studies or datasets to follow. Instead of applying conventional methodologies, I focus on strategies that enable DeSpread’s overall expansion. This involves strengthening internal cohesion, maximizing synergy between teams, identifying our unique advantages, and improving inefficiencies.

Ultimately, my role revolves around the question: ‘How can DeSpread survive and continue to grow?’ I work on ensuring the organization develops sustainably in response to that question.”

Eunji: What makes DeSpread’s Web3 strategy unique?

“DeSpread’s Web3 strategy is built on a deep understanding of Web3 culture as a whole. Beyond just knowing the Korean market well, we differentiate ourselves by understanding crypto-native culture and global trends. Recognizing what people value and why certain approaches are effective is crucial.

Global partners seek out DeSpread not just because of our knowledge of the Korean market but because we accurately identify their needs, execute effectively, and foster growth through collaboration.

For example, BeraChain places a strong emphasis on creating its own distinct culture. DeSpread understands this culture deeply and tailors its official channels accordingly. Even the visual identity of our content aligns with these cultural nuances. In BeraChain’s community, you’ll frequently see phrases like 'Henlo' and 'Ooga Booga.' In contrast, projects like Axelar, which are more technology-focused, prioritize producing high-quality content that effectively communicates their technical value.

At its core, DeSpread’s differentiation lies in its ability to integrate both Korean market insights and Web3 cultural knowledge to craft strategies that resonate on a global scale.”

Eunji: Tell us about your Telegram channels, Crypto Offroad (DYOR) and The Ticker is ETH.

“‘Crypto Offroad (DYOR)’ is a channel where I share information and personal insights on Web3. The name reflects the idea of freely exploring the space, much like off-road driving, while also serving as a reminder to ‘Do Your Own Research (DYOR).’ In other words, I share information openly, but I encourage readers to verify and learn on their own.

‘The Ticker is ETH’ is a channel dedicated to the Ethereum ecosystem. Its name comes from a meme by Vitalik Buterin. This channel covers discussions and trends within Ethereum, summarizing key developments in the ecosystem.

Originally, I didn’t plan to create ‘The Ticker is ETH.’ However, as other mainnets grew rapidly, Ethereum faced increasing criticism in Korean communities, often due to its price stagnation. I felt this perception was unfair—Ethereum is not a network that should be judged solely by short-term price movements. As the leading blockchain, it has played a crucial role in shaping the industry, and I wanted to highlight the efforts of builders contributing to its ecosystem.

With this vision, I started the channel, which is now managed by a team of seven contributors. Our goal is to shift the focus from price speculation to the technological and philosophical values that Ethereum is developing.”

• Crypto Offroad (DYOR) Telegram Channel >> https://t.me/crypto_offroad
• The Ticker is ETH Telegram Channel >> https://t.me/thetickeriseth

Eunji: How do your Telegram activities align with your work at DeSpread?

“Having spent years in Web3, I’ve developed a habit of quickly acquiring and sharing information. Crypto Offroad naturally emerged from this process. Rather than growing the channel for its own sake, my goal has always been to help more people access accurate information. Reducing the information gap is crucial for Web3’s healthy development, and I prioritize providing objective insights rather than pushing specific narratives.

Many DeSpread members run their own Telegram channels, building personal brands and establishing themselves as key players in the Web3 space. This enhances expertise, fosters deeper learning, and encourages consistent content creation.

Additionally, these channels serve as a credibility boost when working with international partners. By showcasing our channels, we build trust and facilitate more meaningful discussions. Ultimately, this strengthens both individual growth and DeSpread’s overall impact.”

Eunji: Are there any projects or sectors (such as technology) that have caught your attention recently?

“I am particularly interested in Ethereum’s account abstraction (AA) technology and solutions for blockchain interoperability. AA has the potential to significantly enhance user experience (UX) by improving privacy protection and transaction speed, ultimately lowering the entry barriers for both existing and new users. Currently, blockchain transactions can be complex and time-consuming, but with AA, users can benefit from a more intuitive and seamless experience, reducing friction in interaction. I see this as a meaningful innovation that helps users tangibly experience the ongoing evolution of blockchain technology.

In terms of notable projects, I have been closely following BeraChain and its ecosystem. Additionally, I have a strong interest in the decentralized science (DeSci) sector. The reason DeSci captures my attention is that it offers a solution to the problem of non-mainstream research disappearing due to difficulties in securing funding within centralized research environments. Today, research funding is heavily concentrated in profit-driven fields, but a decentralized system would allow researchers greater freedom to pursue meaningful studies. Many Nobel Prize-winning discoveries initially stemmed from pure academic curiosity rather than commercial viability. If such a shift becomes possible, it could enable a broader range of research, ultimately contributing to a better world in the long run.

Beyond this, I am also paying attention to data and intelligence-driven service projects such as Kaito, Nansen, and Cookie3. The blockchain space is shifting from an infrastructure-centric focus to more user-oriented services, and these projects are gaining significant recognition for their value. In particular, projects with high user traffic demonstrate strong growth potential, and with upcoming token launches, they are likely to attract further interest from both investors and users.”

Eunji: What are your long-term goals at DeSpread?

“I want DeSpread to grow beyond Korea and become a leading Web3 company in Asia. As Growth Lead, I aim to help strengthen our team’s cohesion and accelerate organizational growth.

While DeSpread is already well-established in the Korean Web3 industry, my ultimate goal is to position us as a key player across Asia. I also hope to create an environment where every team member can grow, contribute, and be rewarded for their efforts. Through DeSpread’s success, I want to foster a culture where everyone advances together and shares in the achievements.”

DeSpread’s Mission

DeSpread provides refined perspective for web 3 pioneers.