From the early days of bitcoin, the community was its key driving force. What’s more: he was the only one.
Without any marketing or PR, it was the community that helped transform the anonymous 9-page whitepaper from an obscure cypherpunk listicle to the working bitcoin software we use today. It was the community that pushed bitcoin around the world, spreading knowledge and engaging all kinds of people and companies that recognize the need for better money.
bitcoin is now a global phenomenon, but its community remains the center of gravity that fuels technological development and adoption. It also represents something else: an elusive but precious quality that unites very different people from all walks of life, political preferences, ages, occupations…
In fact, the bitcoin community shares not only a love of memes, but also a unique combination of libertarian principles, entrepreneurial spirit, and willingness to change the world.
bitcoin events have played a crucial role in crafting this particular combination of values and expanding the community around the world. To try to define this magic sauce that keeps Bitcoiners together, I have collected testimonials from several people who attended eight exclusive European bitcoin meetups, both large and small.
From the urban pavilions of a 10,000-person bitcoin Amsterdam to the forest tents of a 100-person BEF in Brittany, these experiences couldn’t have been more different. However, they were also somehow similar and sometimes even complementary.
The great
btc Prague and bitcoin Amsterdam They stand out as the largest bitcoin events in Europe, attracting thousands of attendees, major bitcoin-related companies, and of course, an impressive list of speakers. The latter can also include people outside the strict bitcoin circle, often including freedom fighters and companies operating in the broader crypto spectrum.
On a smaller scale with hundreds of attendees, Browsing bitcoin In Biarritz, France, we share the same spirit, although this year’s edition was marked by a series of problems.
For the most passionate bitcoin maxis, Baltic honey badger Riga is probably the most original bitcoin event, fiercely defending its bitcoin-exclusive stance.
Most people who attend these events already have the orange pills and are well versed in the intricacies of bitcoin. One can come across miners, cypherpunks, developers, economists, freedom fighters, investors and a large number of influencers of all kinds.
These events represent an opportunity to promote a wallet, a mining platform, a payment solution, a partnership… or yourself. This commercial dimension, although not explicitly mentioned, is certainly one of the important aspects of large bitcoin conferences, along with the ample networking opportunities.
the intimate
At the other extreme, many small, even intimate, bitcoin events are popping up around the world. However, don’t be fooled by its size. These close-knit gatherings, often no more than a hundred people, bring together some of the most active members of the bitcoin community, both known and unknown to the general public.
These events are rarely announced and often prohibit any on-site recording to protect the privacy of attendees. The Chatham House rule applies, meaning anyone attending a meeting is free to use information from the discussion, but cannot reveal who made a particular comment.
Beyond the large size, privacy rules, and abundance of beer, these events often include community life and unique experiences.
btc Azores included scenic walks through this beautiful Portuguese archipelago. It was also marked by the absence of a predetermined agenda: the attendees themselves created the program, presenting the topics they would like to discuss.
He BEF (bitcoin Economic Forum) took French bitcoiners to a deep forest in Brittany for a series of debates, talks and barbecues.
The next B-Only in the Annecy region of France will take place in the majestic alpine setting, encouraging conversations by the fire while sipping tartiflette. Scheduled for November 3-5, it will be one of the latest additions to this type of bitcoin meetup, and also one of the last this year.
These small-scale events feel more like a friends and family retreat than a professional conference, and in some ways they are. Human connections are particularly strengthened through new experiences, common tables and shared life.
bitcoin remains the center of the event, but the atmosphere and objectives change noticeably compared to traditional conferences. People are much more accessible and discussions more inclusive, which especially encourages the exchange of ideas and the introduction of new ideas.
The institutional-friend
There is another type of bitcoin event: one that focuses on the integration of bitcoin into local communities.
This concept is not possible in all parts of the world. In most places, bitcoin still encounters resistance from government officials, and many public and private companies are wary of the negative image that the mainstream media has so carefully crafted.
Switzerland stands out in this regard as one of the most cryptocurrency-friendly countries, and this is visible in its bitcoin conferences, which are more institutionalized than elsewhere.
bitcoin paradigm, a relatively small event organized in the Swiss canton of Neuchatel, aims to invite not only Bitcoiners but also municipal and industry leaders. Together, they discuss ways to use bitcoin in the region’s watch industry, university curriculum, and other local efforts.
Plan B It is another notable initiative. For a couple of years now, the city of Lugano, in the Swiss canton of Ticino, has been educating and encouraging merchants in the city to start accepting bitcoin as a means of payment. The Plan B conference is part of this effort, but, in the best Swiss tradition, the usual group of bitcoin advocates here has been completed by bankers, officials, lawyers and financial regulators from different parts of the world. While not strictly speaking a bitcoin-only conference, Plan B helps Lugano share its experience with thousands of attendees.
Trends
From the Portuguese islands of the Azores to the Latvian city of Riga, European bitcoin events are as varied as Europe itself. From a tent deep in a French forest to the shore of a Swiss lake, they may exude very different vibes, but at their core they are the same.
In fact, they are even complementary. I witnessed cases where a new technology solution was conceived and brainstormed at btc Azores and then found funding and support at btc Prague.
By taking a closer look at these events, we can also discern the trends that are shaping the community.
First of all, no “to the moon” conversations. In fact, the price of btc, which is one of the most popular bitcoin-related topics in most media, is almost never mentioned. And for good reason: bitcoin‘s denomination in dollars and euros is secondary to its role as independent money.
Personal freedom remains a very important topic, and Nostr is now regularly featured at bitcoin events. While it’s not exactly a bitcoin technology, its decentralized and censorship-resistant mission aligns perfectly with the worldview of Bitcoiners, making it increasingly popular within the community.
On the technology front, this year was marked by heated debates between proponents of Ordinals and supporters of a more conservative approach to bitcoin.
Finally, family is taking center stage, both figuratively and literally. While ‘fam’ has already become a common term within the community, the royal family is increasingly being seen at conferences, as attendees bring their loved ones. There were kids, especially at Honeybadger and btc Prague, the latter also featuring a full talk from a 12-year-old Bitcoiner. The next generation is already here and bitcoin is no stranger to it.
Overall, while large bitcoin conferences remain indispensable for developing business and networking, it can be noted that the community is also getting stronger by decentralizing its events and building stronger connections with local communities.
Special thanks to Aurore Galves Orjol from Leonod, Franck Pralas from D.Center and Cyrille Coppéré from B-only for their testimonials.
This is a guest post by Marie Poterieeva. The opinions expressed are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of btc Inc or bitcoin Magazine.
