quotingConferences & Meetups:
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Years ago I was told that the big bitcoin conferences were not for bitcoiners anymore. I chose to go to Bit Block Boom for my first conference and then attend many smaller events across the globe. At this point I would say that BTC Prague is hands down the best large conference, but I had as much fun at many of the smaller ones.
I went to Nashville in 2024 and hosted a panel on bitcoin and psychedelics. Despite Trump's bumbling speech, there was still a good bit of signal at that conference and I had some great times with friends. The night time events were incredibly loud and fueled by drinking, which I found a bit surprising in comparison to other gatherings I've attended with bitcoiners.
In 2025 I was on the fence about attending Vegas, but last minute someone I have been trying to orange pill for years said they would go if I went and I wanted to see Ross speak; so I went. Vegas itself in many ways is the epitome of fiat. I find the strip incredibly entertaining, but ultimately a magnet for unhealthy behavior. The conference itself was very low signal, but I still saw many friends and spent time at the nostr booth, which was chill.
This year I decided not to go to Vegas; not because I hold a grudge, but simply because I don't enjoy it. The noise, lights, drinking, and mediocre food is not a draw for me; likewise most of the speakers. I know many people who are attending for various reasons and I know several great people who are involved in putting on the event.
Based on the trajectory I've witnessed with these conferences, it's unlikely I will be attending in the future. There's little room for cypherpunk freedom tech with FBI directors on stage a secret service doing security screening.
Some people can look at this and say it's an indication that bitcoin is being captured. To me this is just another stage in the adoption process. This is what the mainstream looks like and the trojan horse is currently being walked in the front gate. The conference serves it's purpoae, but in my opinion meetups will become increasingly more important as time goes on.
Less and less people will have the time, money, or interest to attend centralized events unless there is a business case for doing so. If you've never been to a meetup or hosted one, it might be worth considering. We will need local support for onboarding individuals and businesses when the time comes, and meeting other bitcoiners locally may prove to be a valuable network as fiat world continues to degrade.
Contra on Nostr: The moment something radical can be neatly packaged into a 30 minute keynote with ...
The moment something radical can be neatly packaged into a 30 minute keynote with sponsors, branded backdrops, and a Q&A, it’s been domesticated. Real movements have rough edges, costs, and demands that don’t survive a stage format. If it fits clean, it’s been preapproved. And anything pre approved by the existing power structure isn’t threatening that structure. It’s serving it. The “movement” has become merchandise.