With a turnout of over 300 participants, #BitcoinAlive marks Australia's premiere annual Bitcoin-focused conference.
The event offered an opportunity for both new and seasoned bitcoiners to connect and learn about recent developments that are making #Bitcoin more accessible and widely adopted.
Some of the highlights from the conference include:
1. The Lightning Network, which enables instant bitcoin transactions, now has over 5,500 Bitcoin in payment channels and exhibits less than 6 degrees of separation between peers. This network offers impeccable accounting, immediate settlement, and zero bank fees, effectively revolutionizing #paymentprocessing. ⚡️
2. The public is growing increasingly savvy about cryptocurrencies and more skeptical of "altcoins" promoted by social media influencers or those touting "utility" or "tokenomics." This skepticism has led to a shift towards Bitcoin investments. 🧐 #altcoins
3. Although concerns about central control and privacy degradation via government-regulated digital currencies are common, it's unlikely Australia will see a public-accessible CBDC in the near future due to the likelihood of bank runs. 🏦 #bankrun #banking
4. More people with a Self-Managed Super Fund are choosing to invest in Bitcoin, seeing it as a stronger asset class for preserving and increasing purchasing power for retirement. 👴🏽👵🏼 #SMSF
5. Bitcoin mining is becoming an essential component of renewable energy projects in Australia and worldwide, contributing to immediate cash flow, guaranteed buyers during low-demand periods, and grid stability. Engineers and technical professionals in the energy sector are quick to recognize this potential. ⚡️ #BitcoinMining
6. Community sports clubs, such as Perth Heat baseball club, are increasingly using Bitcoin as a treasury asset, enabling fans and supporters to instantly send bitcoin to their favorite players during live broadcasts. 🧢⚾️
7. A growing number of small businesses, including rural enterprises offering meals, fruits, and vegetables, are accepting bitcoin as payment. 🥗🥩
8. Introducing nocoiners to Bitcoin is a breeze with Lightning-enabled wallets like Wallet of Satoshi. Conference attendees engaged waitstaff by offering bitcoin tips, which were instantly received throughout the day. ⚡️🎉
9. Consumer tools, such as engraved plates for hard wallets, are becoming more accessible, as demonstrated by the first SeedHammer delivery to Australia.
10. With tools and features constantly evolving, there is something for bitcoin users of all levels. Open Source NFC Payment cards using lightning are increasingly user-friendly, offering secure access to funds for travel to Bitcoin-friendly destinations like El Salvador, Lugano, Bitcoin Beach in Brazil, or Boracay Island in the Philippines, where over 250 merchants accept Bitcoin as payment.
With post-event drinks and dinner at a local, the talk is that many who flew into Sydney for the event are keen to do it again.
