On December 12, we held the first blockchain event on the Balkans – Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference in Ljubljana (Slovenia). More than 250 participants attended the conference, and 15 speakers delivered presentations.
Smile-Expo organized Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference Slovenia as a platform for the business representatives and authorities to discuss hot problems connected with cryptocurrencies, ICO, and blockchain as well as get to know the experience of foreign colleagues. Even though Slovenia shows a warm welcome to cryptocurrencies and takes the lead among the European countries introducing blockchain, there remain unsolved legal issues.
Keynote speakers and major topics
The special guest at our conference was the governmental representative of Slovenia Tadej Slapnik, State Secretary in Office of the Prime Minister and a developer of the national blockchain strategy. He is deeply involved in the country discussion of the blockchain regulation. Apart from him, Matjazh Juzhina (the Bank of Slovenia) Jure Pirc (Bitcoin Association President) as well as blockchain experts Peter Merk and Mitja Kuma took part in the event.
The presentation that drove the strongest interest of the audience was delivered by John Collins (Head of the international company Red Flag Consulting). He dwelled on the regulation of blockchain and cryptocurrencies on a global basis.
The presentation of President of Liberland Vít Jedlička was one of the most long-awaited. This micronation is built as blockchain e-services with a national cryptocurrency called merit.
The exhibition of blockchain projects
The platform included an organized demo zone – an exhibition of blockchain innovations. The companies that presented the stands there are as follows:
• a provider of hi tech solutions IBM;
• a cryptocurrency exchange Exmo;
• Frigate that helps to manage cryptocurrency assets in business, works with ICO;
• a supplier of mining equipment Bitknap.
All participants of the demo zone also presented their projects in the format of pitch session (short presentations).
See you in 2018!
In the forthcoming year, we plan to hold more than 20 blockchain events including those in new countries and regions. On January 25, Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference Philippines will open the series of the related events.