I had the privilege of attending the Bitcoin 2021 Conference in Miami, Florida, the world’s largest Bitcoin conference to date, drawing ~50k people. The event spanned over 3 days, beginning Thursday, June 3rd through Saturday, June 5th, 2021. The weather was sunny and hot, while the Bitcoin hype was even hotter.
The Bitcoin 2021 Conference, held at the Mana Wynwood Convention Center, included three stages for speakers, an exhibition hall of Bitcoin vendors and art, bitcoin-enabled food trucks, and more. Conference speakers included Ron Paul (former Congressman), Jack Dorsey (Twitter and Square CEO), Michael Saylor (Chairman and CEO of Micro Strategies), Mike Novogratz (CEO of Galaxy Investment Partners), Max Keiser (Co-Host, Orange Pill Podcast & Keiser Report), Tony Hawk (Skateboarding Legend, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist), Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (Boxing Legend and Entrepreneur), and other influencers in the bitcoin community.
I had the pleasure of meeting Bobby C. Lee, an entrepreneur, founder of BTCC—China’s first cryptocurrency exchange, once the largest bitcoin exchange worldwide, and founder and CEO of Ballet crypto wallets. Bobby Lee is the brother of Litecoin creator Charlie Lee.
Bitcoin 2021 Highlights
Jack Dorsey
Jack Dorsey spoke on Banking the Unbanked and his mission for Square in enabling everyone access to Bitcoin. He spoke of his recent visit to Africa and what he learned regarding the struggles local entrepreneurs have with payments, and his commitment to Bitcoin.
“We don’t need the banks anymore… we don’t need the financial institutions that we have today. We have one that is thriving, that is sound, that is owned by the community… that has this incredible and amazing consensus that always manages to do the right thing… If I were not at Square or Twitter, I’d be working on Bitcoin. If it needed more help than Square and Twitter, I would leave them for Bitcoin,” ~Jack Dorsey
Dorsey Gets Heckled
During Jack Dorsey’s talk, far-right activist Laura Loomer interrupted him yelling, “censorship is a human rights violation,” and accused him of election interference. Dorsey patiently listened and responded, “we’re working on it,” and “we can talk about it.”
Ross Ulbricht’s phone call from prison
An emotionally moving public phone call from Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, recorded from a federal penitentiary. Ulbricht was never prosecuted for causing any harm or bodily injury, and no victim was named at his trial. As a first-time offender with non-violent charges, he is imprisoned for two life sentences + 40 years without parole. A disparity in sentencing, considering that much worse offenders have gotten much lighter punishment. A total miscarriage of justice. Please visit FreeRoss.org and be sure to sign the Petition to Free Ross.
Michael Saylor and Max Keiser
I’ve recently become a follower of Michael Saylor and have been a fan of Max Keiser and the “Orange Pill” Podcast with him and Stacy Herbert. The intro of Bitcoin 2021 Fireside with Michael Saylor and Max Keiser had Keiser entering the stage yelling, “We’re not selling! We’re not selling! Fuck Elon… Fuck Elon!” Saylor talked about his recent involvement in Bitcoin and how it boosted his company, Micro Strategies, and the deeper meaning and purpose of Bitcoin.
El Salvador Declares Bitcoin Legal Tender
Jack Mallers, founder and CEO of Strike, talks about the current monetary situation and recalls his stay in El Salvador for nearly three months, learning about the struggles the locals have with financial stability and educating them about Bitcoin. And receiving a message from the President of El Salvador. Mallers reflects on his talks with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele and learns that ~70% of the population is not in the banking system. And working together, proposed a Bitcoin Bill that would not only legalize Bitcoin as legal tender but include Bitcoin into their reserves. A portion of the bill reads, “Central banks are increasingly taking actions that may cause harm to the economic stability of El Salvador; That in order to mitigate the negative impact from central banks, it becomes necessary to authorize the circulation of a digital currency with a supply that cannot be controlled by any central bank and is only altered in accord with objective and calculable criteria.” El Salvador becomes the first country to declare Bitcoin legal tender!
Win a 2021 Lambo!
Sportsbet.io gives away a 2021 Lamborghini Huracán EVO Convertible. However, the winner chose the cash equivalent of ~$250k worth of bitcoin! A wise choice IMO!
Watch all the presentations on Bitcoin Magazine’s Official YouTube channel
Conclusion
It was such an awesome experience to learn, mingle with Bitcoiners and like-minded people worldwide, and focus on the development and purpose of Bitcoin. To know we are helping pave the way to provide financial inclusion to everyone. For once in human history, everyone on the planet has a chance, without permission, to take absolute ownership of property that is immutable, fungible, and unconfiscable. I look forward to attending Bitcoin 2022 next year, and I hope to see you there!