Consensus Miami 2026 is the 2026 edition of the annual Consensus conference, a global summit for the cryptocurrency, blockchain, and Web3 industries organized by CoinDesk. Scheduled to take place from May 5-7, 2026, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, the event marks a significant relocation to Miami, Florida. It is positioned as a critical gathering for professionals across technology, finance, government, and culture, with central themes of "Digital Assets" and "Institutional Scale." ^{[1] [2]}​

Overview and Background

Consensus has a decade-long history as an influential conference in the digital asset space, often referred to by industry participants with titles such as "The Super Bowl of Blockchain" and "The World Cup of Web3." ^[1] The event is produced by CoinDesk, a media, events, and information services company specializing in digital assets and blockchain technology. ^[2]

On April 25, 2025, CoinDesk officially announced that the flagship North American conference would move to Miami for its 2026 edition, after previously being held in locations such as New York City, Austin, and Toronto. ^[3] The decision reflects Miami's growing prominence as a major hub for finance, technology, and cryptocurrency culture. In the announcement, Consensus Chairman Michael Lau stated the rationale for the move:

"We are excited to announce that the Consensus conference will be coming to Miami in 2026. As a leading tech and crypto hub, Miami provides an exceptional setting for innovation and collaboration. Its vibrant culture, strategic location, and international connectivity make it an ideal destination for participants from around the world." ^[3]

The conference is expected to attract over 20,000 attendees from more than 100 countries, bringing together a diverse audience to engage in deal-making, networking, and discussions on the future of the digital economy. The core topics for the 2026 event include Digital Assets, Institutional Finance, Blockchain, Web3, and the convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with these technologies. ^[1]

Event Details

Dates and Location

Consensus Miami 2026 is scheduled to take place from Tuesday, May 5, to Thursday, May 7, 2026. The venue for the conference is the Miami Beach Convention Center, located at 1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida. ^{[2] [1]}​

Attendance and Registration

The event targets a global audience that includes institutional investors, financial professionals, software developers, startup founders, corporate executives, brand leaders, regulators, and policymakers. ^[1] Registration is managed through the official Consensus website, with several pass tiers available. Tiered pricing is offered, with an early bird promotion available until January 23, 2026, at 10 AM ET. ^[4]​

Discounts and Special Access

• Group Discounts: Tiered discounts are available for groups, starting at 5% off for three or more attendees and increasing to 20% off for groups of ten or more. ^[4]
• Specialized Passes: A limited number of application-based passes are reserved for developers, hackathon participants, academics, and accredited members of the press. ^[4]
• Emerge Scholarship: A scholarship program is available to support attendance for individuals who might otherwise be unable to participate. Applications are available through the event's website. ^[5]

Notable Attending Companies

Past and expected attendees include a cross-section of leading firms from traditional finance, technology, and the digital asset industry. Companies that have been represented at Consensus events include Google, Microsoft, PayPal, Visa, BlackRock, Fidelity, Citi, a16z crypto, Coinbase, Ripple, Polygon, Chainlink, and Deloitte. Financial institutions representing over $4 trillion in Assets Under Management (AUM) were present at the 2025 event. ^[1]​

Program and Key Experiences

Consensus Miami 2026 is structured around multiple stages, workshops, and interactive experiences designed to cater to its diverse audience. ^[4]​

Main Stage and Agenda

The conference agenda features keynotes, panel discussions, and fireside chats with prominent leaders. The programming covers a wide spectrum of industry topics, structured around key themes such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Web3, Finance, Policy & Regulation, and technology-focused sessions for "Builders." Specific topics include Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, decentralized finance (DeFi), and the intersection of AI with Web3. ^{[6] [1]}​

Networking Opportunities

The event is designed to facilitate high-value networking, described by organizers as an opportunity to conduct "three months worth of meetings in three days." ^[1] Specific networking features include an AI-powered networking app with lead capture, facilitated group sessions, official parties, rapid-fire networking, and topical, off-the-record roundtables and dinners with experts. ^[4]​

Ancillary Events and Competitions

CoinDesk PitchFest

CoinDesk PitchFest is a startup competition for early-stage (pre-seed and seed) companies in the Web3, blockchain, and AI sectors. Founders present their ventures live on stage to a panel of venture capitalists and industry experts. ^[7]

• Eligibility: To apply, startups must hold a "Consensus startup" pass, have raised less than $5 million in total funding, and be less than five years old.
• Timeline: The application deadline is March 17, 2026. A panel of CoinDesk experts will select finalists on April 20, 2026, to pitch live at the conference in May.
• Prizes: The winner receives an exclusive interview on "CoinDesk Live," media exposure, and two VIP "Piranha Passes" for the 2027 Consensus event.
• Alumni Success: Past PitchFest events have served as a platform for successful fundraising. Alumni from 2023 and 2024 have gone on to collectively raise tens of millions of dollars, including a 2023 winner that secured a $10 million round. ^[7]

Hugo Finkelstein, a previous participant and CEO of RISE, remarked on the experience: "Winning PitchFest was one of the highlights of my year... It not only boosted our energy but also made Rise gain exposure and get more clients." ^[7]

EasyA Consensus Hackathon

A central feature of the conference is the "EasyA Consensus Hackathon," held on the main conference floor. This multi-day event invites developers to build new applications and solutions at the intersection of Web3, AI, and blockchain. ^[5]

• Participation: The hackathon is open to developers of all skill levels, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis until the priority deadline of March 17, 2026. Accepted applicants receive a complimentary Developer's Pass to the main conference, valued at $1,199.
• Opportunities: Participants compete for cash prizes and sponsored bounties. Finalists present their projects on a main stage in front of investors and industry leaders, with networking opportunities for funding and recruitment.
• Past Success: Alumni projects from previous CoinDesk hackathons include Amanu, which raised $1.5 million in seed funding, and BlindPay, which later joined the Y Combinator accelerator program. ^[5]