Ever wondered what happens when you mix blockchain innovation with a sun-soaked Greek island? Well, IslandDAO's v3 event in Mykonos is giving us a glimpse into the future of crypto gatherings, and it's all happening on-chain. Even if you're not there in person—like XICO from SkyRise Labs, who shared his outsider's perspective in a recent tweet—the buzz is impossible to ignore.

What Is IslandDAO All About?

IslandDAO, formerly known as DeanslistDAO, is a vibrant community focused on connecting Web3 experts with Solana protocols. Their mission? To drive ecosystem growth and improve user experiences through events, governance, and hands-on building. The v3 edition, running from September 17 to October 17, 2025, in Mykonos, Greece, brings together over 100 top Solana builders for a month of workshops, networking, and intense hacking. It's not just a conference; it's a network state in action, where participants live, work, and innovate together.

If you're new to the term, a "network state" refers to a digital-first community that operates like a mini-country, using blockchain for governance and coordination. IslandDAO embodies this by hosting IRL (in real life) events that blend physical presence with decentralized tech.

The On-Chain Magic: From Check-Ins to Rewards

As XICO highlighted, what sets this event apart is its fully on-chain operation. Everything from daily check-ins and event signups to rewards is handled via blockchain. This means no more clunky apps or centralized servers—it's all transparent, secure, and powered by Solana's high-speed network.

For those unfamiliar, "on-chain" simply means recording data directly on the blockchain, making it immutable and verifiable by anyone. This approach eliminates trust issues and streamlines processes. Participants use tools like Realms for governance, ensuring decisions are made democratically through token voting.

Key Partners Making It Happen

The event wouldn't be possible without strong backing from the Solana ecosystem. XICO shouted out several key players:

• Solflare: Handling wallet integrations for seamless transactions.
• Triton: Providing RPC (Remote Procedure Call) support, which is essentially the backbone for fast, reliable blockchain interactions.
• Realms: As mentioned, for governance.
• Solblaze: A liquid staking protocol that lets users earn rewards on their SOL while keeping it liquid.
• Walrus Protocol: A decentralized storage network, which even sponsored a $10k hackathon track focused on data solutions for AI.
• And of course, the IslandDAO and Deanslist teams, plus SkyRise Labs, turning the vision into reality.

These partnerships aren't just logos on a banner—they're actively involved with workshops, office hours, and support for builders.

Hackathons and Rapid Shipping: Where Meme Tokens Thrive

One of the highlights is the hackathon, where projects are built at "insane speed," as XICO put it. Teams are vying for prizes, submitting ideas that could shape the future of Solana. For example, sessions covered learnings from CatCornerCoin, a fun meme token project, showing how quick launches (or "launchathons") can capture community attention.

Meme tokens, those viral, community-driven coins often inspired by internet culture, love environments like this. Solana's low fees and fast transactions make it a hotspot for memes, and events like IslandDAO accelerate their creation. Builders get real-time feedback, network with investors, and ship products in days rather than months. We've seen mentions of projects like DUST3 submitting entries, blending gaming elements with crypto.

Other activities include fitness sessions, discussions on DAO incorporation, and even casual chats about crypto in emerging markets like Brazil. It's a holistic setup that nurtures both tech and community.

Why This Matters for Meme Token Enthusiasts and Blockchain Practitioners

If you're into meme tokens, IslandDAO is a goldmine. These events foster the kind of rapid innovation and community bonding that turns a simple idea—like a pixelated dragon—into a viral sensation. For broader blockchain folks, it's a masterclass in on-chain event management, showing how DAOs can scale real-world interactions.

XICO's closing question rings true: "If you are not in the Island, where are you at?" While applications for v3 are closed, keep an eye on IslandDAO's website or their X account for future events. Who knows? The next big Solana meme could be born from a Mykonos hack session.

Stay tuned to Meme Insider for more updates on how events like this are shaping the meme token landscape and beyond. What's your take—ready to join the island life?