The presence of Bitget in the Philippines has been well-known in 2024. Bitget’s involvement in supporting numerous events, hosting hackathons, bolstering relationships with key opinion leaders, and supporting a nation for their cryptocurrency transactions has been a key factor to their spreading influence. However, have you ever wondered who are the minds behind the success of Bitget Philippines?

Introducing Marc Cedrix Castro, Jose Mendoza, and Christopher Rodil as the brilliant minds behind Bitget Philippines and how their experience in Web3 has not only improved them as a person, but also made the lives of their fellow Filipinos better.

Can you give us a background of what you do?

Bitget is a secure trading platform emphasizing ease of use and efficiency, as in Bitget we are user-centric. We believe in a more equitable future world driven by crypto evolution. Locally, we are passionate about onboarding Filipinos to Web3 and blockchain technology using our pioneering initiative Blockchain For Youth and Blockchain For Her. We are the first exchange to introduce this program, as we are firm believers that the future of blockchain resides with the youth of tomorrow. 

We are also staunch advocates that women should be given equal opportunities and footing in Web3. In a male-dominant industry, we try our best to shed some light about this disparity, and onboard more women in tech. 

What made you interested in Web3?

Marc Cedrix Castro - I’ve known Web3 and crypto since 2020 during the height of the pandemic. It was a bittersweet memory, to be honest. To this day, I still remember the day when I lost more than half of my initial investment on the very first day due to a scam. Since then, it has been my mission to spread Web3 the right way. So that no one can fall victim to another scam again, or at least minimize the number at the very least. Web3 as a whole has a lot of potential, and it’s such a shame to see that the one thing I am passionate about is speckled with fraudulent activities. 

Jose Mendoza - My interest in Web3 started back in 2012 when I first heard about Bitcoin. I was fascinated by the idea of a decentralized system that gave people more control over their finances. Moving to Adelaide and leading the local Bitcoin meetup deepened my curiosity and passion. Working with Travelbybit allowed me to see how cryptocurrencies could be integrated into everyday businesses, making transactions simpler and more transparent. My background in traditional IT helped me navigate the technical challenges, but it was really the potential to create a more open and fair digital world that inspired me to fully embrace Web3.

Christopher Rodil - Being scammed with masked opportunities drove me to lose money and yes. I dived in to learn and literally engage in the space and narrow down the chances of that happening again and sharing the insights to people around me. My background in fraud management helped me plus the people I met along the way have been truly instrumental in sharing the path to where I am today.

How is working/building in Web3 different from other industries?

Marc Cedrix Castro - Working in Web3, particularly exchanges, is different from that of other industries in a way that it redefines how a workplace can look like. Web3 teams are leaner in terms of headcount, it forces one to be adaptive, efficient, and forward-thinkers. In terms of environment, most workers are remote, with no concrete working hours to work on projects and tasks. It gives freedom and independence to workers but that also entails more responsibility to oneself as one should possess self-agency and must hate sleep (joke). 

Jose Mendoza - Working in Web3 has been a unique and rewarding experience compared to other industries I’ve been part of. One of the biggest differences is the sense of community and collaboration. In Web3, there’s a strong emphasis on openness and sharing ideas, which makes everyone feel like they’re contributing to something bigger together. Another aspect is the pace of innovation. Things move quickly, and there’s always something new to learn or explore. This can be both exciting and challenging, as it requires staying adaptable and continuously updating my skills. 

Additionally, building in Web3 often means focusing on creating more transparent and fair systems. It’s inspiring to work on projects that aim to empower individuals and make processes more accessible to everyone. Overall, the human connections and the mission to build a better, more decentralized future make working in Web3 feel different and more meaningful compared to traditional industries.

Christopher Rodil - Fast paced, learning focused & collaborative. You never know what’s happening next in months or a year’s time.

What’s your proudest achievement in Web3?

Marc Cedrix Castro - In my short stint here in Bitget, I am no first-timer here in Web3, especially cryptocurrencies. I was a meme investor (and still is), futures trader, trading psychology teacher, and head of operations at one point before I became the community manager at Bitget. 

My proudest accomplishment is at a young age I was given the keys to be one of the drivers of a global exchange, Bitget. To represent the brand here in the Philippines and be able to be promoted to Marketing Manager after 6 months at the helm. It is a humbling ride and still a surreal moment to be one of the marketing managers for Bitget at a young age, given that I just graduated last year, from a field different from where I am now (BS Psychology).

Jose Mendoza - One of my proudest achievements in Web3 is being part of the early Bitcoin community and contributing to its growth. It’s been an honor to work with some of the brightest minds in the industry, from my time at Binance to my current role at Bitget. I’m also grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many talented people around the world. These experiences have been incredibly fulfilling and have deepened my commitment to the Web3 space.

Christopher Rodil - 3 things. To be part of a team working with a global team like Bitget, Being part of the Bored Ape Yacht Club & to stand beside well known creators and financial coaches such as Coach Chinkee Tan in spreading our knowledge in the things that we do for education & opportunity sharing.

If there’s something you would like to change in your Web3 journey, what would it be?

Marc Cedrix Castro - I would not change a thing in my Web3 journey. I cherish all of them as all those experiences culminate in who I am now as a person. As individuals, we live our lives on a continuum. In that, we are constantly pulled by our past through learnings and experiences, and pushed by our future with our dreams and aspirations. 

So yes, I wouldn’t be here today if I changed a tiny bit in my journey, still very thankful to everyone and it is our mission at Bitget to prime Filipinos towards a blockchain future.

Jose Mendoza - If I could change one thing in my Web3 journey, it would be to get involved even sooner. As a Filipino, I also wish that the Web3 community in the Philippines had developed earlier, which could have provided more opportunities for growth and collaboration. However, I’m truly grateful for the path I’ve taken and the incredible people I’ve met along the way. Every step has taught me something valuable and shaped who I am today in the crypto space.

Christopher Rodil - Well, my journey made me who I am. I’ll change the lack of clarity I had in the beginning to be someone who can really help people in small ways and more by making better decisions in getting to where I am today.

What’s the biggest problem that you think Web3 can solve?

Marc Cedrix Castro - The biggest problem that I think Web3 can solve for Filipinos is securing transactions in general. Every day, we transact with various entities such as bank institutions, markets, and even politics. Web3 can introduce transparency and security to these transactions when done right.   

Jose Mendoza - One of the biggest problems Web3 can solve is making remittances more affordable and accessible for Filipinos by reducing fees and speeding up transfers. Additionally, Web3 can provide banking services to the unbanked, increase transparency to build trust, and empower creators to connect directly with their audience without middlemen. These solutions can help create a more equitable and transparent world, and I’m proud to be part of this positive change.

Christopher Rodil - The choices in life the Filipino people can take. There is an abundance of opportunities and these are really great times to start learning so that they can be a force for good around the world.

What’s your BTC price prediction in 2030? 

Marc Cedrix Castro - BTC in 2030 is 300k from a bullish perspective or 30k from a bearish perspective.

Jose Mendoza - Predicting Bitcoin’s price in 2030 is highly speculative, but here are two possible scenarios: Bull Scenario: If Bitcoin continues to gain widespread adoption and becomes a fundamental part of the global financial system, its price could potentially reach or even surpass $500,000 by 2030. 

Bear Scenario: Conversely, if Bitcoin’s growth slows due to market saturation or other challenges, its price might stabilize between $20,000 and $30,000. Please note that this is not financial advice (NFA), and I encourage everyone to do their own research (DYOR) before making any investment decisions.

Christopher Rodil - Bullish side 100k, Bearish side 70k. It will still be an uphill battle with regulations and compliance as times change and the demand for the industry evolves for either a bullish or bearish scenario.