Five Takeaways From Bitcoin Miami 2023
MIAMI BEACH, FL – South Florida’s humidity did not stop thousands of Bitcoiners from attending this year’s Bitcoin Miami at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The stage area and exhibition hall occupied two grand ballrooms on the convention floor, converging to hail the world’s largest digital currency and its potential, and BCCN3 was there to cover Bitcoin Miami.
Attendees gather at Bitcoin Miami
Image source: Jason Rowlett
Bitcoin Miami
Bitcoin Miami is the continental counterpart to Bitcoin Amsterdam, both hosted by Bitcoin Magazine. Though the benefits of financial individual freedom were emphasized, Bitcoin Miami also focused on recent technological innovations such as developments in the Lightning Network, payment apps, and Ordinals, among others. Here are three key takeaways from Bitcoin Miami.
Micheal Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy
Michael Saylor, one of the world’s largest holders of BTC, spoke about the powerful position bitcoin holds. Saylor highlighted the leverage that bitcoin possesses over securities weakened by the Fed and other factors, stating, “Everyone understands bitcoin is a commodity.”
Michael Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy
Image source: Jason Rowlett
He further emphasized how tech investors are beginning to understand the importance of the Bitcoin network. “The emergence of Bitcoin applications on the Layer 2s and the Layer 3s, the Lightning applications [...] are attracting a new class of technology investors [as] the most secure database and the most secure network. You’re going to want to own a piece of that if you’re a technology investor,” Saylor said.
2. Jack Mallers, CEO of Strike
Jack Mallers, the CEO of bitcoin payments service Strike, announced a significant milestone for his company had been reached: Strike is now available in 65 countries across six continents. The expansion coincides with the introduction of a new feature allowing users to receive funds in U.S. dollar equivalents.
During his speech, Mallers shared the company’s broader vision behind these updates, stating, “We made numerous product changes to support our vision of creating an incredible global money app.” Strike aims to revolutionize how people worldwide access and utilize money.
3. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Presidential Candidate
Making a campaign whistlestop, Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressed his support for Bitcoin and advocated for Bitcoiners’ rights. Kennedy called the currency a “bulwark” against the encroachment of government totalitarianism facilitated by technology worldwide.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Presidential Candidate
Image source: Jason Rowlett
Pertaining to Bitcoin, Kennedy’s agenda includes defending individuals’ rights to self-custody of bitcoin and other digital assets, preserving the ability to run nodes at homes, advocating for industry-neutral energy regulation, and ensuring the U.S. become a leading hub for Bitcoin and crypto innovation.
“I encourage you in this industry to expand your use of pro-environmental energy techniques [...], which I know many of you are experimenting with. The environmental argument should not be used as a smokescreen for an agenda of suppressing Bitcoin.”
Beyond Bitcoin Miami
This year’s Bitcoin Miami was more subdued in its promotion and presence than Bitcoin Amsterdam or last year’s Miami event. Speakers were cordoned off from certain press members. Whether this was a response to the crypto winter or the bad press the entire industry received during 2022 is anyone’s guess.
Despite the mellower atmosphere, Bitcoin Miami was not slack in enthusiasm. Perhaps the best part of the conference was seeing the exhibited companies and notable speakers expressing a more measured analysis and thoughtful excitement than in years past for the world’s largest digital currency.
