Crypto and digital assets conferences have become a cornerstone of the Web3 industry, serving as useful networking events and forums for knowledge-exchange and product promotion. Often spread over the course of a weekend, and sometimes an entire week, these annual events offer a chance to catch up with the industry’s key tastemakers, builders and regulators, and provide an insight into the latest developments shaping the crypto and digital assets landscape.
With the U.S. regulatory crack down on crypto following a series of high-profile implosions like FTX, Alameda, and Silvergate, the spotlight shifted earlier this year to Asia with a number of well-attended events already like WebX in Japan, KBW in Korea and Token2049 in Singapore, all taking the industry center stage and attracting a lot of folks from the U.S. and Europe.
It looks like the next wave of crypto and digital assets conferences will rock Europe this autumn. Like Nigel Tufnel of Spinaltap’s Marshall Amplifier, this top 10 list goes up to 11. Let’s take a closer look these fixtures and the rock stars that you will hear from.
1. SmartCon, Barcelona, October 2-3
Set to get underway in the Catalan capital on October 2, the Chainlink organised SmartCon features the usual roster of prominent speakers, such as Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazaron, ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and ANZ Bank’s Director of Digital Asset Services Anurag Soin. Hosted at the Palau de Congressos de Barcelona, the 2023 conference will encompass keynotes, workshops, panels, side events and hackathons, with a focus on topics such as web3 infrastructure, DeFi, NFTs and enterprise solutions.
2. CCDAS, London, October 2-3
Hosted by CCData (formerly CryptoCompare), CCDAS is one of Europe’s leading institutional summits for crypto assets. Taking place in the capital’s Old Billingsgate on the same timetable as SmartCon, this year’s agenda includes FCA’s Head of Capital Markets Helen Boyd, Tyrone Lobban, Managing Director Onyx by J.P. Morgan, Wilshire’s CEO Mark Makepeace, and offering a City of London perspective with the new Lord Mayor and polymath Michael Mainelli. The event kicks off with a VIP networking event at a secret London location on October 2, followed by a programme spread across two main stages.
3. European Blockchain Convention, October 25-26
The European Blockchain Convention is a two-day extravaganza that attracts over 5,000 attendees, 300 speakers, and 200 sponsors and exhibitors. Occupying this year’s podium will be Fabric Ventures partner Richard Muirhead, ParaSwap founder Mounir Benchemled and Banco Santander Head of Crypto and Blockchain Coty de Monteverde, among others. With action spread across three large stages, plus a 4,000 sqm exhibition area, the EBC promises to provide valuable insights into blockchain past, present and future.
4. Binance Blockchain Week, Istanbul, November 8-9
Istanbul will be the cynosure of the crypto world’s attention in November, when Binance Blockchain Week rolls into town. The two-day conference will delve into the theme of “the next billion users and the future of web3,” attracting developers, policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs and innovators to participate in panels, keynotes and talks. Enter the exhibition hall, meanwhile, and you’ll be met by a dizzying array of blockchain-based startups. Over 2,000 people will attend the event, with Binance co-founder Yi He calling Turkey “a dynamic destination for attendees to learn more about blockchain and be part of the new era of finance.”And if you’re already in the area, remember to stay for the Staking Summit (Nov 10-11), a dedicated event that unites all PoS infrastructure actors in one place: protocols, validators, institutions and more.
5. Digital Asset Week, London, November 14-15
Digital Asset Week returns to London for its regular fixture following San Francisco in May and Singapore in September and is one of the City’s longest standing (security) tokenization conferences. The two days are focused on the continuing development of the digital asset ecosystem and by bringing the traditional funding and listing players together with the new digital players and regulators. With a focus on the institutional adoption of digital assets, this years speakers include Scott Lucas, Head of Markets DLT, JP Morgan, Nadine Teychenne, Global Head of Digital Assets, Securities Services, CITI, and Caroline D. Pham, Commissioner, Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
6. India Blockchain Week, Bangalore, December 6-7
A week-long dedication to the decentralized ethos in India, India Blockchain Week includes prime web3 events such as ETHIndia and Polygon Connect between December 4-10 – though the IBW conference itself takes place over the 6th and 7th at The Sheraton Grand. Speakers due to make an appearance include Halliday Co-founder Akshay Malhotra, Ocular’s Executive Director Amy Zhao and Hashed General Partner Baek Kim. Interestingly, 11 percent of Web3 talent calls India home, making it the third-biggest web3 recruiter after the US and China.
7. Paris Blockchain Week, April 8-12 2024
The fifth edition of Paris Blockchain Week will focus on familiar topics such as open finance, AI, corporate web3 and enterprise blockchain, with a three-day hackathon and one-day talent fair preceding the official opening day. The star-studded speaker lineup for 2024, meanwhile, includes Animoca Brands co-founder Yat Siu, Stellar
XLM
Development Foundation CEO Denelle Dixon and Lightspark CEO David Marcus. One of the continent’s most high-profile blockchain events, PBW
PBW
will, as usual, feature thought-provoking exhibitions, workshops, networking events and more.
8. Token2049, Dubai, April 18-19 2024, Singapore, September 18-19 2024)
Token2049 is a split-site crypto powwow hosted in Dubai in April and Singapore in September. Serving as a soapbox and networking platform for web3 founders, executives, entrepreneurs, investors, developers and global media, it’s the place to be if you want to track industry developments or secure vital funding for your startup. While the Dubai agenda will feature maverick BitMEX founder Arthur Hates, Gemeni CEO Tyler Winklevoss and Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire, Singapore’s lineup hasn’t yet been confirmed. With over 10,000 attendees, 300+ speakers, 5,000+ companies, and 400+ side events spread across both locations, Token2049 is an absolute staple of the Web3 calendar.
9. Consensus, Austin, May 29-31 2024
Consensus claims to be the largest and most influential gathering in the cryptocurrency, blockchain and web3 community, and whether that claim’s true or not, it’s definitely earned a spot at the top table. Taking over Austin in late May, the three-day blitz welcomes developers, investors, founders, brands, policymakers and more. Although the full agenda is yet to be announced, expect hands-on workshops aimed at solving industry challenges and luminaries from the worlds of metaverse gaming, open finance, Artificial Intelligence and policy.
10. Permissionless, Salt Lake City, October 9-11 2024
Now in its third year, Permissionless is set to build on the success of its predecessors when it hits Salt Lake City next October. Catering to crypto enthusiasts and builders, the DeFi event will feature keynotes from industry leaders, panels, networking events and activations. Last year’s Permissionless, held in Austin, Texas, saw OKX President Hong Fang deliver a rousing keynote address on the current environment and outlook for web3, though 2024’s speakers are yet to be announced.
11. Ethereum Community Conference, Brussels, TBC 20204
The Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC) date next year in Brussels has not yet been announced, but this is one to put on your watch list. It is the largest annual conference dedicated to the Ethereum ecosystem and typically hosts prominent figures from the world’s most used blockchain ecosystem. In 2023, Polygon’s Jordi Baylina, 0x Labs’ Megan White and 1inch’s Gustav Arentoft added stardust to proceedings. Might Vitalik himself make an appearance in Brussels next year?
And Finally
As the crypto and digital assets industry continues to evolve, in-person and virtual conferences offer valuable opportunities to stay informed, network and contribute to the growth of the Web3 ecosystem.
The word on the street is that some commercial conferences are struggling with sponsors and paid ticket revenues in this difficult (global) economy.
Pay attention to the quality communities who appear impervious to market machinations and keep their heads down building useful stuff. Find them, mark your calendar, make the pilgrimage, and make sure you stay in these loops.
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