Highlights of Bitcoin 2025 Conference: Art Show, Transaction Fee Savings, Politicians, and a Pitbull
So the Bitcoin 2025 Conference started today. It’s in New Orleans this year, having moved from Miami. I jumped into the livestream right when Senator Jim Johnson had his pitbull sitting right next to him on the stage. That dog is already a memecoin on Zora.
Of course his panel was rehashing some old stuff about Bitcoin mining and how it could encourage investment in renewable energy. They’re not wrong; some historical polls showed that more than half of American bitcoin mining companies seek renewable energy sources. It’s just that there’s nothing new here.
Then Bitcoin Magazine highlighted that Ross Ulbricht was going to be onstage later today and that Bitcoin 2025 was featuring his art in an art show. He really did do art while in prison, apparently.
A few political types hit the stage next and talked about what Trump was doing or trying to do with Bitcoin. Former U.S. Treasurer Rosie Rios said, “Bitcoin is here to stay. … The train has left the station.”
They didn’t mention that dumb dinner with attendees who probably dumped their TRUMP memecoin by the time they got dessert if one goes by the negative 15% price move that day. At least one Trum dinner attendee admitted that the dinner was lackluster and he didn’t even get Trump’s ear.
More baldly? “The food sucked,” said Bitcoin investor Nicholas Pinto.
More Conference Day 1 Highlights:
Steak & Shake COO Dan Edwards says it can save 50% on transaction fees by accepting Bitcoin. Of course that’s compared to credit cards and their high swipe fees. Edwards also says Bitcoin is actually faster than credit cards.
Senator Cynthia Lummis, a longtime Bitcoin supporter, says the United States’ military generals favor the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve for economic power. She also says Trump supports the Bitcoin Act currently winding its way through conference.
Rizzo & Marty challenged event attendees to set a Guinness Book of World Records record for most bitcoin transactions during a single event.
Square announced that it was beginning to roll out bitcoin payments at Bitcoin 2025 and expects to roll it out everywhere soon.
Brian Johnson dished on longevity, saying that it was possible to quantify health. He even showed his biomarkers. He says it’s also possible to slow down aging. He says he only ages 6 months for every year that passes! He suggested that one easy way to slow down one’s aging was to lower one’s resting heart rate and get more sleep.
“Don’t die,” he kept repeating. “We may be the first generation on this planet that does not die.”
The main focus of Day 1 of the Bitcoin 2025 Conference involved politics, ranging from policy to personalities. There may still be an undercurrent of resentment aimed at Democrats like Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren, who strongly opposed Bitcoin.
