The Asia Pacific University Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Club (APUBCC) has secured the Top Prize in the Ethereum Name Service (ENS) Infrastructure category at ETHGlobal Taipei for the second consecutive year (2024 and 2025).

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) is once again making headlines on the global blockchain stage.

A team of bright minds from the APU Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Club (APUBCC) — Teh Jun Heng, Lee Yi En, Lee Xin Rou, Htet Aung Hlaing, and Tan Wei Hup — secured the top prize at ETHGlobal Taipei 2025 for their ground-breaking innovation, ENSpin. 

Their innovation targets a key component of the Ethereum ecosystem: the Ethereum Name Service (ENS), a decentralised naming protocol. 

ENSpin strengthens the ENS system by automatically scanning the blockchain and ‘pinning’ files on the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), ensuring persistent access to vital data. 

In fact, the clever wordplay behind ENSpin directly reflects its core function — spinning up reliability for ENS-linked IPFS content. It was this fresh take on infrastructure that earned them the win. 

Hosted in Taipei, Taiwan, ETHGlobal Taipei brought together over 600 hackathon participants from more than 30 countries, all eager to create the next big solution in blockchain development. 

Across a whirlwind 36-hour hackathon, 115 teams competed, showcasing projects built with Ethereum’s decentralised technologies. 

The APU team’s triumph continues a proud legacy. Just a year ago, their seniors — Vanessa Chan Jia Wei, Benjamin Tan Kerk Zheng, Cheong Yee Chian, Yudhishthra Sugumaran, and Viman Vinesh — swept several categories with their CrossYield innovation project. 

This year, ENSpin took 1st place in the ENS Infrastructure category, earning the team a cool USD$2,500 (RM11,240.63) and the well-deserved recognition in the global blockchain community. 

At the heart of APUBCC successful innovation story is Professor Ir EUR ING Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam, the university’s Chief Innovation & Enterprise Officer. 

A tireless advocate for emerging tech, he’s been instrumental in shaping a thriving ecosystem where student innovation flourishes at a higher playing field beyond campus grounds. 

Through his leadership and vision — amplified by the high-energy initiatives of the APUBCC — APU has become a powerhouse in producing Web3 talent. 

The back-to-back ETHGlobal Taipei successes are more than just simple accomplishments; they are proof that his efforts in building a world-class launchpad for blockchain excellence at APU. 

“ENSpin’s success reflects APU’s vibrant ecosystem — from real-world industry collaborations to APUBCC’s ever-evolving workshops, our students are empowered to lead Web3 innovation beyond borders.” 

He explained that this milestone is part of a bigger journey that began in 2021, when APU strengthened its focus on blockchain, cryptography, and consensus systems together with other passionate academic colleagues. 

With more than 1,600 members, APUBCC is currently 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 to think beyond limits,” he said. 

Their solution tool was meticulously engineered to tackle a crucial flaw in a decentralised infrastructure: the impermanence of IPFS-hosted assets tied to ENS names. 

ENSpin ensures that digital avatars, metadata, and website links remain reliably accessible over time. 

But the path to success was not without obstacles. The team wrestled with brutal time constraints, intricate system integrations, and the pressure of developing a robust prototype within a mere 36 hours.

“Clear communication and smart delegation were key,” Jun Heng shared, “Under pressure, we had to be perfectly in sync — every decision had to count.” 

Beyond the win, the team gained invaluable hands-on experience with ENS and IPFS systems.

The collaborative environment and exposure to the international blockchain community offered fresh insights and widened their professional networks. 

“Engaging directly with industry and fellow developers gave us a rare look into the forefront of Web3 innovation,” Jun Heng added, the event did not just boost their tech skills, but it also tested and sharpened their team dynamics as they “Learned how to work under pressure, pivot quickly, and still keep the bigger vision in sight.”

Reflecting on the experience, ENSpin team members called it ‘transformative’. The electric atmosphere, encouragement from mentors, and energy of like-minded peers made the journey unforgettable. 

Participating in ETHGlobal Taipei enriched their academic journey too, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. The challenges refined their problem-solving mindset and broadened their career outlook.

In the end, ENSpin was not just a win — it was a launchpad. The team now stands poised to explore even greater innovations in blockchain, carrying with them the confidence and credibility born from their ETHGlobal success. 

As they return to APU, they bring with them a trophy, a toolkit of sharpened skills, and a lasting reminder that with bold ideas and teamwork, students can truly change the world — one spin at a time.