Ridesharing App Founder Wants to Build a Blockchain 'Uber'

Chen Weixing, founder of Chinese ride-hailing app Kuaidi Dache, is planning to build a blockchain-based application for ride-sharing.

AccessTimeIconMay 28, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. UTC
Updated Aug 18, 2021 at 9:12 p.m. UTC

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

Chen Weixing, CEO of app developer Funcity and founder of Chinese ride-hailing app Kuaidi Dache, has revealed plans to build a blockchain-based ride-sharing equivalent to Uber.

The new platform, announced Sunday at a post-event function after the 2018 Guiyang BigData Expo, will be developed in partnership with Yang Jun, co-founder of Meituan, one of the largest group discount apps in China, according to a WeChat post from Chen.

  • Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
    13:18
    Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
  • Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
    05:10
    Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
  • The first video of the year 2024
    04:07
    The first video of the year 2024
  • The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
    40:07
    The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
  • According to China Money Network, the entrepreneur said:

    "Ridehailing is the first time blockchain will be tested on a social application on mass scale."

    Although he did not disclose which blockchain platform would be used to develop the app or how he aims to counter blockchain's scalability issues, Chen's new project is notable given his background in developing applications around the ride-hailing use case.

    Founded by Chen in 2012, Kuaidi Dache took off instantly in China to rival another ride hailing app called Didi Chuxing.

    Both backed by venture capital and internet giants like Tencent and Alibaba, the two entered a bitter business war, subsidizing prices until they merged in 2014 to become the largest ride hailing app in China, keeping the name Didi Chuxing. The firm later pushed Uber out of China via an acquisition.

    Furthermore, Chen's plan to move into the blockchain space is not entirely surprising, since he has been one of the most vocal pro-blockchain investors in China.

    According to a report from February of this year, Chen has invested in at least a dozen cryptocurrency projects, including some of the major trading platforms such as Binance and Huobi.

    Chen Weixing image via event organizer

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.