- Event brought together over 600 participants from more than 30 countries
- APU team won 1st place in the ENS infrastructure category, earning US$2,500
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) announced that it made headlines on the global blockchain stage.
A team of students from the APU Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Club (APUBCC) — Teh Jun Heng, Lee Yi En, Lee Xin Rou, Htet Aung Hlaing, and Tan Wei Hup — clinched the top prize at ETHGlobal Taipei 2025 with their innovation, ENSpin. The project targets a key component of the Ethereum ecosystem, the Ethereum Name Service (ENS), a decentralised naming protocol.
ENSpin enhances the ENS system by automatically scanning the blockchain and ‘pinning’ files on the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), ensuring ongoing access to vital data. The clever wordplay behind ENSpin reflects its purpose — ‘spinning’ greater reliability for ENS-linked IPFS content — which impressed judges and secured the team’s win.
ETHGlobal Taipei, held in Taiwan, brought together over 600 participants from more than 30 countries. Over a 36-hour hackathon, 115 teams competed to showcase projects built with Ethereum’s decentralised technologies.
The APU team’s triumph continues the legacy established by their seniors — Vanessa Chan Jia Wei, Benjamin Tan Kerk Zheng, Cheong Yee Chian, Yudhishthra Sugumaran, and Viman Vinesh — who swept several categories with their CrossYield project at the 2024 edition.
This year, ENSpin won first place in the ENS infrastructure category, earning the team US$2,500 (RM11,200) and valuable recognition from the global blockchain community.
At the core of APUBCC’s success is Professor Ir Eur Ing Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam, APU’s chief innovation and enterprise officer. A passionate advocate for emerging technologies, Dr Vinesh has been instrumental in cultivating an environment where student innovation thrives well beyond the campus. His leadership, together with APUBCC’s energetic initiatives, has positioned APU as a powerhouse for developing Web3 talent.
The consecutive wins at ETHGlobal Taipei are more than just milestones; they are a testament to the university’s commitment to building a world-class blockchain talent ecosystem.
“ENSpin’s success reflects APU’s vibrant ecosystem — from real-world industry collaborations to APUBCC’s dynamic workshops, our students are empowered to drive Web3 innovation beyond borders,” Dr Vinesh said.He noted that this achievement is part of a broader journey that began in 2021, when APU strengthened its focus on blockchain, cryptography, and consensus systems.
With over 1,600 members, APUBCC claims to be the world’s largest tertiary blockchain community.
For team lead Teh Jun Heng, the experience was intense, inspiring, and unforgettable. “Our first ETHGlobal was like diving headfirst into a firestorm — we were constantly challenged, tested, and pushed beyond our limits,” he said.
The team’s innovation addressed a critical issue in decentralised infrastructure: the impermanence of IPFS-hosted assets linked to ENS names. ENSpin ensures that digital avatars, metadata, and website links remain reliably accessible over time.
However, success did not come easily, as the team wrestled with time constraints, complex system integrations, and the pressure of delivering a robust prototype within 36 hours.
“Clear communication and smart delegation were key,” Teh said, noting that under such pressure, the team had to operate in perfect synchrony, with every decision counting.
Beyond securing the win, the students gained invaluable hands-on experience with ENS and IPFS systems, while expanding their professional networks and gaining deeper insights into the global blockchain community.
“Engaging directly with industry leaders and fellow developers gave us a rare glimpse into the cutting edge of Web3 innovation,” Teh added.
The event not only honed their technical skills but also tested their teamwork, adaptability, and resilience under pressure.
Reflecting on the experience, the ENSpin team described it as transformative. The high-energy environment, mentorship, and camaraderie among like-minded peers made the journey unforgettable.
Participating in ETHGlobal Taipei also enriched their academic experience, bridging the gap between classroom theory and real-world application. It sharpened their problem-solving mindsets and broadened their career aspirations.
Ultimately, ENSpin was not just a project — it became a launchpad. Armed with the confidence and credibility earned at ETHGlobal, the team is now poised to pursue even greater innovations in the blockchain space.