Bitcoin Belfast
Early days, but...
A few weeks ago I floated an idea on LinkedIn. Here’s what I posted…
I'm just thinking out loud here. I'm thinking of organising a one-day conference focusing on bitcoin as an asset class (possibly touching on other stablecoins - but primarily bitcoin). Topics for inclusion will include the threat of CBDCs. DeFi as an emerging 'parallel' economy. Bitcoin in institutional investment portfolios. Bitcoin price futures (given the imminent halving). Oh and the effect of bitcoin ETFs (if they're approved). Likely location Belfast, Northern Ireland. If you'd like to be involved, sponsor, speak or promote, please get in touch.
Things have moved on from then. The bitcoin bull market has strengthened - the halving event is in less than 100 days. The hype around ETFs is increasing. Without doubt, bitcoin is now being considered even as a Mom & Pop investment option.
Stuart Kirk, writing in the FT yesterday, made clear that his New Year investment resolution was to acquire some bitcoin.
People have also been contacting me following the LinkedIn post. And they’re especially intrigued about the proposed location. The position isn’t so much, “why the hell Belfast?” It’s more, like, figures. It works. Belfast has become, essentially, a near-shore operation for the City of London. It has a wealth of tech talent - especially in and around crypto and cyber-security. Many of the top commercial law firms are here. Investment bank back office operations are here. But, more practically, it’s a great place in which to work and live and develop.
Just yesterday BELFAST was trending on Twitter? Why? Part of the reason was because the city was listed as one of the top ten cities in the world in terms of work/life balance. We also, thankfully, don’t have much in the way of meddling government (our devolved government couldn’t organise or agree on much anyway when it was sitting). Broadband infrastructure is rippling. Connectivity with the major European hubs is easy via the two airports serving the city (International and City Airport). And Dublin airport is just 90 minutes away.
But it’s that proximity to London (but not being London) that’s critical. Also our proximity to the EU - as well as sharing at least some of the business day with New York.
The event is still taking shape in my head. But, in the meantime, I’ll need some foundation sponsors to make it a reality. Let’s talk about a package that will give you the visibility you’ll need at what promises to be one of the most exciting investment conferences of 2024.
