NEARCON is the flagship annual conference organized by the NEAR Foundation for the NEAR Protocol ecosystem. The event serves as a central gathering for developers, founders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and community members from around the world. Its primary purpose is to facilitate discussions on the future of the open web, showcase new technical developments and projects within the ecosystem, and foster collaboration among participants. Each iteration of the conference focuses on specific themes relevant to the evolution of blockchain technology and its intersection with other fields. ^{[1] [2]}​

Overview

NEARCON is positioned as a key event for the NEAR Protocol, bringing together its global community to connect, learn, and build. The conference program typically includes keynotes from industry leaders, technical deep dives, hands-on workshops for developers, product demonstrations, and networking opportunities. While the core focus remains on the NEAR ecosystem, the event also addresses broader trends in Web3, decentralization, and, in recent years, the convergence of blockchain and Artificial Intelligence. The format and themes of the conference evolve annually to reflect the changing technological landscape and the strategic priorities of the NEAR Foundation. ^{[1] [2]}​

History

NEARCON is a recurring annual event hosted by the NEAR Foundation. The focus on Artificial Intelligence for the 2026 conference represents an evolution of a multi-year strategy. The 2023 edition of the event, for instance, featured a "Special Track for AI and the Open Web" and was organized under the theme "AI is NEAR," indicating a growing focus on the intersection of AI and blockchain technology within the ecosystem. The conference has a history of attracting prominent figures from the technology, privacy, and cryptocurrency sectors. ^{[1] [2]}​

Past events have featured a notable lineup of speakers. Some of the speakers from previous NEARCONs include:

• Edward Snowden, a privacy advocate and author.
• Sheila Warren, the CEO of the Crypto Council for Innovation.
• Jeremy Allaire, the CEO of Circle.

The inclusion of these speakers highlights the event's scope, which extends beyond the immediate NEAR ecosystem to encompass broader discussions on privacy, policy, and financial technology in the context of the open web. ^[2]​

NEARCON 2026

NEARCON 2026 is scheduled to take place on February 23–24, 2026, at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, California. The event is organized by the NEAR Foundation and carries the theme, "The Internet Wants to Think." This edition shifts towards a more curated and exclusive format, with attendance being invite-only through an application process. The primary focus of the conference is the intersection of user-owned Artificial Intelligence and blockchain technology, exploring how AI can be developed in open, transparent, and decentralized systems. ^{[2] [1]}​

Theme and Philosophy: "The Internet Wants to Think"

The central theme for NEARCON 2026, "The Internet Wants to Think," frames the conference around a fundamental question: whether the ongoing AI revolution will be controlled by large, proprietary corporations or developed within open, decentralized frameworks. The event is presented as a "declaration" that the future of AI should be built on open-source principles and reside on-chain, making it accessible and owned by everyone. ^[1]​

A quote from the official announcement encapsulates this philosophy: "The future must not be shaped by closed empires or fragile monopolies. It must be built and owned by everyone. It must be open, decentralized, and resilient to collapse." ^[1]​

The conference aims to explore several key concepts rooted in this theme:

• User-Owned AI: A core focus is on the protocols, primitives, and philosophical underpinnings required to give individuals sovereignty over their AI models and personal data. This contrasts with current models where user data is often controlled by centralized entities. ^{[1] [2]}
• Agentic Era: The event uses this term to describe a new phase of the internet where autonomous AI agents can reason, interact, and transact across different blockchains. The concept envisions AI not just as a tool for information retrieval but as an active participant in a decentralized economy. ^[1]
• Values in Technology: The event emphasizes that technical architecture choices, such as chain abstraction (making it easier for users to interact with multiple blockchains), private AI models, and decentralized infrastructure, are also value-based decisions. These choices determine the distribution of power and the level of participation available to users in the future of AI. ^[1]

The overall goal is to shape an "AI economy built on trust, transparency, and user ownership," moving away from closed systems toward a more equitable and open digital future. ^[2]​

Location Rationale: San Francisco

The choice of San Francisco for NEARCON 2026 is a deliberate statement, intended to position the event at the epicenter of the current AI and crypto movements. The official announcement highlights the city's historical significance as a "frontier" for major technological and cultural shifts. ^[1]​

The rationale draws parallels between the current era and past transformative periods in the city's history, citing:

• Its origins during the Gold Rush as a magnet for "dreamers and outsiders."
• Its role as the birthplace of modern computing, the internet, and the crypto movement in the wider Silicon Valley area.
• A perceived "new energy" and revival in the city, driven by a concentration of AI and crypto startups.

The selection of San Francisco is meant to symbolize a return to the roots of technological innovation while charting a new course for decentralized AI. A quote used in the announcement articulates this sentiment: "Rome built monuments. San Francisco builds networks. Rome raised walls. San Francisco opens worlds." ^[1]​

Program and Activities

NEARCON 2026 is a two-day event with a program curated to focus on substantive developments in user-owned AI. The planned format moves away from hype to showcase practical applications and foundational ideas. ^[1]​

The scheduled program includes a variety of sessions and experiences: ^{[2] [1]}​

• Keynotes: Presentations from global pioneers and leaders in both the AI and blockchain fields.
• Demonstrations and Workshops: The event will feature live demonstrations of functional AI agents and provide hands-on workshops for builders and developers.
• Topical Deep Dives: A central thesis of the event is that privacy is a critical and necessary component for the scaling of user-owned AI. Dedicated sessions will explore this topic in depth.
• Industry Debates: Panels and discussions among industry leaders will address key challenges and opportunities, including user adoption, ethical considerations for AI, and the identification of "billion-dollar use cases" for on-chain AI.
• Ecosystem Showcase: The conference will host a dedicated space for the broader ecosystem, including more than 15 partner activations and a "Product-Market Fit lounge" designed to connect builders with resources and feedback.

Attendance and Participation

Unlike some previous editions, attendance at NEARCON 2026 is not available through open ticket sales. The event is "limited and curated," requiring all prospective participants to apply for an invitation. This model is intended to bring together a focused group of individuals actively involved in building and shaping the future of AI and the open web. ^{[1] [2]}​

On November 13, 2025, the official NEAR Protocol account on X (formerly Twitter) began promoting the event, directing interested parties to the official website to secure their spot, signaling the opening of the application period. ^[3]​

There are several ways for individuals and teams to participate:

• Apply to Attend: Individuals can apply for an invitation to the conference via a Luma form available on the official website.
• Apply to Speak: A call for speakers is open for those who wish to present ideas, research, or projects relevant to the conference's themes.
• Sponsorship: Organizations can apply to become partners, which allows for a larger presence and activations at the event.
• Press: Members of the media can apply for press credentials to cover the conference.

Application links are available on the official NEARCON website. ^[2]​

Previous Editions

While NEARCON 2026 marks a shift in format, it builds on the legacy of several previous conferences.

NEARCON 2023

Held in Lisbon, Portugal, from November 7-10, 2023, this edition was organized under the theme "AI is NEAR." It marked a significant step in the ecosystem's focus on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and blockchain, featuring a dedicated "Special Track for AI and the Open Web." The event brought together thousands of developers, entrepreneurs, and community members. ^[1]​

2024–2025 Hiatus

Following the 2023 conference, the NEAR Foundation did not host a flagship NEARCON event in 2024 or 2025. This pause allowed for a strategic shift, culminating in the redesigned, invite-only format announced for the 2026 conference in San Francisco.

NEARCON 2022

The 2022 conference also took place in Lisbon, Portugal, from September 11-14. It was a large-scale event focused on bringing the global NEAR community together to collaborate and build, with a strong emphasis on moving beyond theoretical discussions to practical development and ecosystem growth.

NEARCON 2021 (Alpha)

The first major in-person conference, NEARCON Alpha, was held in Lisbon in November 2021. As the "Alpha" designation suggests, it was the inaugural version of the event that established the foundation for future NEARCON gatherings, serving as a key meeting point for the early community after a period of remote-only interaction.

Pre-Event Activities: NEARCON Sessions

In the months leading up to the main conference in February 2026, the NEAR Foundation is organizing a series of smaller, more intimate gatherings in San Francisco. These events, branded as "NEARCON Sessions," function as a "roadshow" and a "civic experiment." Their purpose is to build momentum and preview the core ideas, themes, and discussions that will be central to NEARCON 2026. These sessions provide an early opportunity for the local community to engage with the concepts of user-owned AI and the open web. ^[1]​