The first bitcoin conference in Britain: the second bitcoin conference in the world
The first Bitcoin conference in London, held on September 15-16, 2012 took place at Imperial College in Russell Square and was organized by Amir Taaki, a prominent figure in the early Bitcoin community.
This conference was the second major Bitcoin conference ever, following the one in Prague in 2011. It attracted enthusiasts, developers, and thought leaders from the Bitcoin community, who were eager to discuss the potential and challenges of this new digital currency. The event was a melting pot of ideas, with a strong focus on the technical aspects of Bitcoin, as well as its political and economic implications.
Among the notable speakers were Jeff Garzik and Pieter Wuille, who delivered the “State of the Coin 2012” address, providing valuable insights into Bitcoin’s network statistics and technical development outlook.
The London 2012 Bitcoin Conference was characterized by a radical anti-establishment political viewpoint, reflecting the libertarian and anarcho-capitalist ideologies that were prevalent among many early adopters of Bitcoin. Attendees could purchase tickets for £50, either paying cash on the door or in advance with Bitcoin, which was a novel concept at the time.