If you are one of the organizers or speakers, then you are not a loser. However, if you are just attending the event by paying the full price, then you are a loser. The frequency of these events has accelerated in recent months, and now an event is happening every week. There is no groundbreaking news coming out of these conferences, nor is there any revolutionary knowledge transfer taking place. These events are simply a place for "OG" Bitcoiners to gather, spend money, and have some fun. There are about 100 speakers who go from one conference to another talking about the same stuff again and again.
Bitcoin Conference in Miami 2021 set the stage for all these subsequent events. It created a perfect blend of a bull market, the reopening after Covid, and showcasing a real-world problem in El Salvador. This environment also created an opportunity for a new cohort of grifters to move into the Bitcoin space. They identify themselves as true bitcoiners stacking sats, and use non custodial wallets, posting on social media about Bitcoin, creating YouTube videos, and podcasts, as well as marketing for companies such as Bitrefill and Bitfinex, which are not true Bitcoin companies. I believe these influencers receive free tickets and travel expenses from the conference organizers to promote the event and attract more losers.
Take a look at the sponsor page, and you'll grasp the true intent. They may label it as a Bitcoin-only conference, but it garners sponsorship from exchanges primarily profiting from altcoins. Now, you might wonder why these sponsors back these events. It's straightforward. Exchanges profit from pumping and dumping altcoins. With the absence of new shitcoins coming into the system, their focus shifts entirely to Bitcoin and Bitcoin enthusiasts. Consider this: their financial stability hinges on Bitcoin's price fluctuations. Recent on-chain data indicates a lack of significant new Bitcoin buyers. Small-scale Bitcoin investors are accumulating and removing their holdings from exchanges, which is a positive trend. However, this also poses a threat to exchanges' financial viability. These exchanges, in turn, sponsor these events to attract more participants. It's akin to an indirect Ponzi scheme.
Given the decline of altcoins and the growing influx of opportunists into the Bitcoin space, exercise caution and refrain from supporting them.
I'm not singling out event organizers, speakers, opportunists, or influencers. Instead, I'm addressing you, the anonymous individual who paid the full conference fee. Stop this practice; it's not a worthwhile investment.
If you're new to Bitcoin or wish to embark on Bitcoin-related projects, the most effective approach is to immerse yourself in free educational content on platforms like YouTube and GitHub. Create your own code or product and comprehend the unique qualities of Bitcoin.
For those not holding any cryptocurrency, educate yourself by reading several guides on setting up a secure, non-custodial wallet. Mine fiat currency and convert it into Bitcoin. Accumulate your holdings and set them aside for the future; you'll require them when the time is right.
Satoshi introduced Bitcoin in response to the 2008 financial crisis. However, this week, many banks have reported robust earnings and are faring better than they did in 2008. Does this signify that Bitcoin is no longer necessary? Absolutely not. As I've previously mentioned, Satoshi conceived Bitcoin not solely as a response to the 2008 crisis but as a safeguard against the even bigger significant crisis looming in the next 10-15 years.
Stay focused, get involved, accumulate Bitcoin, contribute to its development, embrace freedom-enhancing technology, learn its usage, for you will require it when a genuine crisis emerges. And avoid attending Bitcoin conferences.
Challenge my perspective. If you attended the event at full cost and gained more than anticipated, please share your viewpoint in response to this. I'm open to hearing from those who agree or disagree.
Have a happy Saturday!