As we begin another year in blockchain technology’s development towards becoming a foundational pillar of global economies, it’s an ideal time to take a look back at learnings from the past 365 days and analyze how the still emerging industry surrounding blockchain tech can better itself going forward.

While 2018 was a rollercoaster year for cryptocurrencies, volatility in the markets was outmatched only by expectations in regards to the impact of blockchain tech. But while the media hype cycle has rumbled on as it does, the technologists, developers, entrepreneurs, and professionals around the world who make up the blockchain industry have been achieving the small and steady inroads required for technology like Ethereum to succeed in a sustainable and substantive manner.

We checked in with members of the ConsenSys mesh from all departments —from dApp developers to business development executives, creatives, and project managers — to get a read on their major learnings from 2018, and the ways in which blockchain professionals and observers alike can improve in the coming year. The result is by no means an exhaustive list, but an encouraging indication of where we’re at, where we’re going, and the orientation of BUIDLers around the world as we begin the new year in earnest…

What do you see as one of the most important breakthroughs in blockchain over the past year?