The Blockchain Futurist Conference in Florida showed an optimistic atmosphere this Wednesday. Attendees largely ignored Bitcoin’s recent drop to $100,000. This focus on business over volatility, according to participants, demonstrates the crypto industry maturity. The event was held at the Seminole Hardrock in Davie, attracting both veterans and new entrepreneurs in the sector.
The two-day event proceeded as normal. Even though Bitcoin hovered near five-month lows, the main interest was networking. Betty Sharples, head of growth at Truflation, was one attendee who highlighted this shift. Sharples noted that the price of Bitcoin no longer defines the temperature of conferences. She recalled that while the price dropped recently, “realistically, [Bitcoin is] still much higher than it was this time last year,” when it traded at $69,000.
This sentiment contrasts sharply with previous bear cycles. In the past, volatility “depressed” these events, according to Sharples’ view. Now, veterans of the blockchain space have moved past those emotions. The focus has shifted from short-term price speculation. It now centers on business development and networking. Frank Grimes, founder of Interlink, exemplified the relaxed business atmosphere, highlighting the importance of easing into conversations.
Are parties and networking more important than BTC’s price?
The conference also stood out for its creative marketing tactics. Russell Castagnaro and Kelly Page, promoters of the Unicorn.eth infrastructure project, wore bright pink. They claimed this color aligns with the Ethereum ecosystem. On the other hand, Alyssa Michaud of the firm Coinbound used a large Labubu figure to attract attention. Michaud stated the doll “embodies the virality” that defines the Web3 space.
The focus on connections was evident. An attendee known as Loudmouth, freshly arrived from Dubai, was more direct. He stated that people no longer attend just to listen to talks. According to him, the conference is “an excuse to get on a plane” and participate in the side events. This mentality reinforces the idea that crypto industry maturity is based more on building lasting business relationships than on daily speculation.
