Crypto and digital asset conferences have become a cornerstone of the Web3 industry, serving as networking events and useful forums for knowledge exchange and product promotion. Often spread over a weekend, and sometimes an entire week, these annual events provide an opportunity to meet the industry’s leading trendsetters, builders and regulators, and provide insight into the latest developments shaping the crypto landscape and digital assets.
With the US regulatory crackdown on crypto following a series of high-profile implosions like FTX, Alameda and Silvergate, the spotlight turned earlier this year to Asia with a number of well-attended events like WebX in Japan, KBW in Korea and Token2049 in Singapore, all taking center stage in the industry and attracting many people from the United States and Europe.
It looks like the next wave of cryptocurrency and digital asset conferences will shake up Europe this fall. Like Nigel Tufnel of Spinaltap’s Marshall Amplifier, this top 10 list goes up to 11. Let’s take a closer look at these luminaries and the rock stars you’ll hear.
1. SmartCon, Barcelona, October 2-3
Scheduled in the Catalan capital on October 2, Chainlink organized SmartCon features the usual roster of prominent speakers, such as Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazaron, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and ANZ Bank head of digital asset services Anurag Soin. Hosted at the Palau de Congressos in Barcelona, the 2023 conference will include keynotes, workshops, panels, side events and hackathons, with a focus on topics such as web3 infrastructure, DeFi, NFTs and business solutions.
2. CCDAS, London, October 2-3
Hosted by CCData (formerly CryptoCompare), CCDAS is one of the leading European institutional summits on crypto assets. Taking place in the capital’s Old Billingsgate on the same schedule as SmartCon, this year’s agenda includes FCA head of capital markets Helen Boyd, JP Morgan’s Onyx managing director Tyrone Lobban , Wilshire CEO Mark Makepeace, and offers a perspective of the City of London with new Lord Mayor and mathematician Michael Mainelli. The event will kick off with a VIP networking event at a secret London location on October 2, followed by a program spread across two main stages.
3. European Blockchain Convention, October 25-26
THE European Blockchain Convention is a two-day extravaganza that attracts more than 5,000 attendees, 300 speakers and 200 sponsors and exhibitors. This year’s podium will be occupied by Fabric Ventures partner Richard Muirhead, ParaSwap founder Mounir Benchemled, and Banco Santander crypto and blockchain head Coty de Monteverde, among others. With action spread across three large stages and a 4,000m² exhibition area, the EBC promises to provide valuable insights into the past, present and future of blockchain.
4. Binance Blockchain Week, Istanbul, November 8-9
Istanbul will be the center of attention of the crypto world this November, when Binance Blockchain Week arrives in town. The two-day conference will address the theme “The Next Billion Users and the Future of Web3”, attracting developers, policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs and innovators to participate in panels, keynotes and discussions . Meanwhile, enter the exhibition hall and you’ll encounter a dizzying array of blockchain-based startups. More than 2,000 people will attend the event, with Binance co-founder Yi He calling Turkey a “dynamic destination for attendees to learn about blockchain and be part of the new era of finance “. And if you’re already in the area, don’t forget to stay for the Staking Summit (November 10-11), a dedicated event that brings together all players in the PoS infrastructure in one place: protocols, validators, institutions and much more.
5. Digital Asset Week, London, November 14-15
Digital Asset Week returns to London for its regular meeting after San Francisco in May and Singapore in September and is one of the longest running tokenization (security) conferences in the city. The two days are focused on the continued development of the digital assets ecosystem and on bringing together traditional financing and listing players with new digital players and regulators. With a focus on institutional adoption of digital assets, this year’s speakers include Scott Lucashead of DLT markets, JP Morgan, Nadine Teychenneglobal head of digital assets, securities services, CITI and Caroline D. PhamCommissioner, Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
6. India Blockchain Week, Bangalore, December 6 and 7
A week dedicated to decentralized philosophy in India, Blockchain Week in India includes premier Web3 events such as ETHIndia and Polygon Connect between December 4th and 10th – although the IBW conference itself takes place on the 6th and 7th at the Sheraton Grand. Speakers expected to appear include Akshay Malhotra, co-founder of Halliday, Amy Zhao, executive director of Ocular, and Baek Kim, general partner of Hashed. Interesting way, 11 percent of Web3 talent has taken up residence in India, making it the third largest Web3 recruiter after the United States and China.
7. Paris Blockchain Week, April 8-12, 2024
The fifth edition of Blockchain Week in Paris will focus on familiar topics such as open finance, AI, enterprise web3 and enterprise blockchain, with a three-day hackathon and one-day talent fair preceding the official opening day . The featured speaker lineup for 2024 includes Animoca Brands co-founder Yat Siu, Stellar.XLM Denelle Dixon, CEO of the Development Foundation, and David Marcus, CEO of Lightspark. PBW, one of the most publicized blockchain events on the continentPBW as usual, it will feature thought-provoking exhibitions, workshops, networking events and much more.
8. Token2049, Dubai, April 18-19, 2024, Singapore, September 18-19, 2024)
Token2049 is a two-venue crypto powwow held in Dubai in April and Singapore in September. Serving as a forum and networking platform for Web3 founders, executives, entrepreneurs, investors, developers and global media, it’s the perfect place if you want to follow industry developments or secure vital funding to your startup. While the Dubai schedule will feature Arthur Hates, maverick founder of BitMEX, Tyler Winklevoss, CEO of Gemeni, and Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Circle, the Singapore lineup has yet to be confirmed. With over 10,000 attendees, 300+ speakers, 5,000+ companies and 400+ side events spread across both venues, Token2049 is an absolute must-see on the Web3 calendar.
9. Consensus, Austin, May 29-31, 2024
Consensus claims to be the largest and most influential gathering of the cryptocurrency, blockchain, and web3 community, and whether that claim is true or not, it certainly deserves a place at the top. Taking over Austin in late May, the three-day blitz welcomes developers, investors, founders, brands, policymakers and more. While the full agenda has yet to be announced, expect hands-on workshops aimed at solving industry challenges and luminaries from the world of metaverse gaming, open finance, artificial intelligence and politics.
10. Without permission, Salt Lake City, October 9-11, 2024
Now in its third year, Without authorization is ready to build on the success of his predecessors when he arrives in Salt Lake City next October. Catering to crypto enthusiasts and builders, the DeFi event will include keynotes from industry leaders, panels, networking events and activations. Last year at Permissionless, held in Austin, Texas, OKX President Hong Fang gave an exciting keynote address on the current environment and prospects for Web3, although the 2024 speakers have not yet been announced.
11. Ethereum Community Conference, Brussels, TBC 20204
THE Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC) next year in Brussels has not yet been announced, but it is a date to put on your watchlist. It is the largest annual conference dedicated to the Ethereum ecosystem and typically hosts prominent figures from the world’s most widely used blockchain ecosystem. In 2023, Polygon’s Jordi Baylina, 0x Labs’ Megan White, and 1inch’s Gustav Arentoft added stardust to the proceedings. Could 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 provide valuable opportunities to stay informed, network, and contribute to the growth of the Web3 ecosystem.
Rumor has it that some business conferences are struggling to find sponsors and paid ticket revenue in this tough (global) economy.
Watch out for quality communities that seem impervious to the machinations of the market and keep their heads down creating useful things. Find them, mark your calendar, make the pilgrimage, and make sure you stay in those loops.
