Robbie from The Rollup shared an exciting lineup of interviews happening today at Origin Summit 2025 in Seoul. This event, part of Korea Blockchain Week, brings together heavy hitters in AI, crypto, and intellectual property (IP). For those unfamiliar, IP refers to creations like songs, videos, or brands that can be owned and monetized—think of it as the backbone of viral memes and digital assets. The summit, powered by Story Protocol, is all about making IP programmable on the blockchain, opening doors for meme tokens and beyond.

Let's break down the interview docket Robbie highlighted, and why it matters for meme token enthusiasts and blockchain practitioners.

Jaime Leverton, CEO of ReserveOne

First up is Jaime Leverton, leading ReserveOne through a massive $1 billion merger with M3-Brigade Acquisition V Corp. (NASDAQ: MBAV). This deal sets the stage for ReserveOne to list on Nasdaq as RONE by Q4 2025. ReserveOne focuses on digital asset infrastructure, like mining and custody services, which indirectly supports the meme token ecosystem by providing secure, scalable tech for token launches and trading. In a world where meme coins thrive on hype and liquidity, companies like this ensure the plumbing works smoothly. If you're into tokens backed by real-world utility, keep an eye on how this merger could boost institutional adoption.

Tekin Salimi, Founder of dao5

Next, Tekin Salimi, who founded dao5 after serving as a general partner at Polychain Capital—one of the top crypto venture firms. Dao5 has raised over $200 million and poured investments into more than 100 early-stage companies. This is huge for meme tokens because VCs like dao5 often spot trends early, funding projects that blend memes with tech. Think decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) turning viral ideas into tokenized communities. Salimi's insights could reveal upcoming investments in meme-driven protocols, helping you stay ahead in the fast-paced crypto space.

Yat Siu, Founder of Animoca Brands

Yat Siu, the visionary behind Animoca Brands, is a serial entrepreneur pushing for digital property rights in the metaverse. Animoca is a powerhouse in blockchain gaming and NFTs, with investments in projects like The Sandbox and Axie Infinity. Memes and NFTs go hand-in-hand—remember how Pepe the Frog spawned a billion-dollar token economy? Siu's talk likely touches on how IP tokenization can turn memes into ownable, tradable assets. For blockchain builders, this means new ways to create and monetize meme-inspired games or virtual worlds, enhancing your knowledge base with real-world examples.

Ryan Lee, Co-Founder and EVP of Pinkfong

Rounding out the list is Ryan Lee from Pinkfong, the team behind Baby Shark—one of the most viral memes ever, with over 10 billion YouTube views. Baby Shark isn't just a kids' song; it's a cultural phenomenon that spawned merchandise, NFTs, and even crypto tie-ins. In the context of meme tokens, this interview could explore how traditional IP like Baby Shark can evolve on the blockchain, perhaps through tokenized remixes or fan-driven derivatives. It's a perfect bridge between mainstream memes and crypto, showing how practitioners can leverage viral content for token projects.

These interviews underscore a key trend: the convergence of memes, IP, and blockchain. Events like Origin Summit aren't just talk shops—they're where ideas turn into actionable tech. If you're building or investing in meme tokens, tuning into discussions like these (check the live stream on X) can give you an edge. Story Protocol's push for an $80 trillion IP market means more opportunities for programmable memes, where anyone can remix and earn from viral hits.

Stay updated on meme-insider.com for more breakdowns on how blockchain is supercharging meme culture. What do you think—will Baby Shark inspire the next big meme token wave?