The North American Blockchain Summit in 2023
The North American Blockchain Summit (NABS) hosted in Fort Worth, Texas, transformed its location and theme in 2023 to accommodate United States lawmakers prior to an election season. The event attracted hundreds of crypto and blockchain enthusiasts from November 15-17, gathering to network, discuss mining, and hear talks from politicians and industry leaders addressing policy and regulation developments in the space. Key figures included Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as well as Senators Cynthia Lummis and Ted Cruz, among others.
The summit embraced a theme of patriotism and U.S.-centered interests, starting each day with the national anthem and offering exclusive fundraisers with speakers in exchange for donations. For example, donations started at $1,000 for RFK Jr. and $3,300 for Ramaswamy, contrasting with $250 for Lummis and Cruz.
Political Influence and Future Implications
Previous summits in 2021 and 2022 did not precede a major U.S. election, witnessing low attendance in 2022 amid market downturns and FTX exchange collapse. In 2023, the event featured QR codes linking to campaign websites and calls to donate to crypto-friendly politicians.
One notable presidential candidate highlighted his ownership of crypto and Bitcoin, emphasizing the importance of disclosing such conflicts of interest if elected. RFK Jr.’s growing support, despite controversial vaccine views, resonates with many crypto users due to his reported Bitcoin gifts to his children and advocacy for financial freedom.
The conference’s timing, preceding important U.S. elections, raises the critical role of digital asset legislation depending on the election’s outcome, impacting Congress’s stance on the matter moving into 2025.
Hot Take: The Influence of NABS on Crypto and Politics
As the NABS summit contends with a political backdrop and heightened interest from the crypto community, its influence on the intersection of technology, finance, and governance is poised to have far-reaching implications in the coming years.
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