The first Bitcoin conference ever takes place in the Roosevelt Hotel in New York

On August 20, 2011, the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City became the site of a seminal event in the history of bitcoin: the first Bitcoin conference. This gathering brought together a small but passionate group of individuals who were deeply involved in the early stages of Bitcoin’s development and promotion.

For two days, approximately 50 attendees converged on the Roosevelt Hotel to discuss the potential of Bitcoin and its implications for the future of finance. The conference served as a physical meeting place for people who had previously only interacted through phone calls, chat rooms, and Skype. It was a chance for true believers and profiteers alike to meet in the flesh, share ideas, and envision a world transformed by Bitcoin.
 

The event featured a lineup of speakers who were key figures in the Bitcoin community, including Bruce Wagner, Gavin Andresen, Jeff Garzik, and Stefan Thomas. These individuals played crucial roles in the development and dissemination of Bitcoin, contributing to its underlying technology and fostering its growing community.
 

The conference was not just about technical discussions; it was also a reflection of the enthusiasm and speculative spirit that surrounded Bitcoin at the time. Attendees were there to talk about how Bitcoin could change the world—and how it could make them rich. The atmosphere was charged with a sense of being at the forefront of a financial revolution.
 

Sponsored by entities like Mt. Gox and BitPay, the conference underscored the emerging ecosystem of businesses and services beginning to form around Bitcoin.