LABITCONF (Latin American Bitcoin & Blockchain Conference) is a long-standing event focused on Bitcoin and blockchain technology in Latin America. Established in 2013, it is a platform for industry leaders and entrepreneurs to discuss developments, trends, and challenges in the cryptocurrency and blockchain sectors. The conference also explores the evolving relationship between technology, finance, and society, making it a significant venue for fostering regional innovation and collaboration. ^[1]

2024

LABITCONF 2024, held on November 1–2 at Costa Salguero in Buenos Aires, marked the 12th edition of this prominent Latin American Bitcoin, crypto, and blockchain conference. It brought together global industry professionals, including economists, entrepreneurs, developers, and Web3 artists, to discuss privacy, decentralization, scalability, trust, tokenization, and social impact issues. The event featured seven stages catering to diverse topics:  ^[1][2]

• The Ocean hosted key discussions on economic, political, and technological changes.  
• Agora facilitated philosophical dialogues on the societal impacts of Bitcoin and crypto trends.  
• Entrepreneurs focused on startups, hackathons, and investor pitches.  
• Academy covered technical, legal, and accounting aspects of crypto.  
• Workshop provided insights into trading, decentralized finance, and wallet usage.  
• Builders offered technical coding sessions and community engagement.  
• Creators explored art, NFTs, music, and digital content creation in Web3.  

The Bitcoin Argentina NGO space also provided beginner-level talks and a free consultation area. The conference also emphasized cross-cutting themes, including gender perspectives, philosophical discussions on societal development, and the role of artificial intelligence. Extra activities were available for attendees under 16, and LABITCONF was part of TECWEEK, a broader series of technology and creative industry events in Buenos Aires. ^[1][2]

2023

LABITCONF 2023 took place on November 10–11 at the Costa Salguero Convention Center in Buenos Aires, gathering over 250 global speakers to discuss Bitcoin, blockchain, and decentralization. The event explored opportunities and challenges posed by these technologies for individuals, businesses, and governments in the region. The conference featured eight stages, offering content for various audiences: ^[3][4]

• Main Stage addressed blockchain technology's societal, business, and governmental impact.
• Academy provided foundational knowledge about crypto and blockchain.
• Workshop focused on practical applications of tools and platforms.
• Hacker House explored programming solutions.
• Plaza showcased innovative entrepreneurial projects.
• Gaming and Creators stages highlighted blockchain-related art and gaming content.
• Kids offered age-appropriate educational sessions.

Additional activities included art exhibitions, VR experiences like "Kill the Scam," interactive games like "Inflation Machine," gaming tournaments, and relaxation zones. The event concluded with an exclusive Bresh party for attendees. LABITCONF 2023 emphasized its role as a hub for insights from economists, developers, entrepreneurs, and blockchain leaders, offering diverse opportunities for learning and engagement. ^[3][4]

2022

LABITCONF 2022 celebrated its 10th anniversary in Buenos Aires with a World Cup-themed edition from November 10–13. The event attracted over 10,000 attendees from over 15 Latin American countries and featured six stages, hosting over 200 panels, keynotes, and workshops. Discussions covered the current state and future of cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and decentralized technologies. ^[5][6]

The conference housed notable figures in crypto and blockchain. Vitalik Buterin, creator of Ethereum, discussed The Merge, highlighting its success, enhanced user experience, and the resilience of decentralized networks. Bitcoin's first female maintainer, Gloria Zhao, addressed innovations in peer-to-peer protocols and transaction efficiencies. Elizabeth Stark, CEO of Lightning Labs, reflected on the FTX collapse, emphasizing Bitcoin's decentralized structure as a safeguard against systemic failures and noting the global rise of Bitcoin adoption in circular economies and e-cash systems. Executives from Bitso, Binance, OKX, and Bitget emphasized the importance of transparency, security, and education in fostering trust and advancing the crypto industry. Gareb Shamus, founder of Comic Con, explored blockchain’s potential in transforming comics through NFTs and Web3, focusing on storytelling and community engagement. Santiago Maratea discussed using MakerDAO’s transparency tools to create social projects with improved organization and accountability. The conference highlighted blockchain’s versatility across industries while addressing regulation, innovation, and trust challenges. ^[5][6]

2021

LABITCONF 2021 took place in San Salvador, El Salvador, from November 15–20, marking its ninth edition and the first hosted in the only country where Bitcoin is legal tender. The Bitcoin Iberoamérica Foundation organized the event and focused on fostering financial freedom and sovereignty in Latin America through Bitcoin adoption. The conference featured keynote speakers, including Max Keiser, Jameson Lopp, Stephan Livera, and Anita Posch. Discussions centered on Bitcoin's implications for the region, with opportunities for attendees to engage with specialists, entrepreneurs, and local government representatives. Activities included a hybrid hackathon, Q&A sessions on Bitcoin's implementation in El Salvador, and consultations with legal and financial experts about launching or expanding crypto businesses. Ancillary events featured art, music, and networking opportunities to inspire leadership within Latin America's blockchain space. The event highlighted Bitcoin's transformative potential while addressing regional challenges and opportunities for broader adoption. ^[7][8]

2020

LABITCONF 2020, the eighth edition of the Latin American Bitcoin & Blockchain Conference, was held virtually from December 7 to 12. The event offered a unique digital experience featuring Motion Capture 3D technology and live interactions with industry leaders. Key speakers included Changpeng Zhao (CEO of Binance), Max Keiser, Stacy Herbert, Jameson Lopp, Jimmy Song, Giacomo Zucco, and Alakanani Itireleng. ^[9]

The hybrid format combined animated videos, roundtable discussions, and live-streamed presentations in both Spanish and English. Sessions, conducted over three hours daily, covered fundamental and advanced topics in decentralized technologies, addressing blockchain's technical, political, and legal aspects. Rodolfo Andragnes, LABITCONF’s General Coordinator, emphasized the event's innovative approach to virtual engagement. Participants explored cryptocurrencies' social and financial impact, with sessions tailored to investors, entrepreneurs, institutions, and general audiences interested in blockchain's transformative potential. The event highlighted the role of cryptocurrencies in driving change across Latin America and the broader global landscape. ^[9]

2013-2017

From 2013 to 2017, LABITCONF became a leading platform for Bitcoin and blockchain innovation in Latin America, addressing regional economic challenges and fostering adoption. The inaugural event in Buenos Aires 2013 highlighted Argentina’s unique position as a Bitcoin hub amidst inflation and currency restrictions, featuring renowned speakers like Andreas Antonopoulos and Erik Voorhees. In 2014, the conference moved to Rio de Janeiro, exploring regulatory developments and startup growth with prominent figures such as Brock Pierce and Eddy Travia. The 2015 edition in Mexico City integrated local voices alongside international experts, emphasizing accessibility through simultaneous translations for Spanish-speaking attendees. ^[10][11]

Returning to Buenos Aires in 2016 and 2017, LABITCONF reinforced Argentina's leadership in the blockchain space. The conferences featured global tech leaders, including IBM and Microsoft representatives, addressing issues like blockchain integration in banking, regulation, and societal impact. Hackathons, startup pitches, and panels on smart contracts and privacy underscored the region's growing innovation. LABITCONF bridged Latin America’s economic realities with blockchain’s transformative possibilities by fostering dialogue between local and international participants. ^[12]