The innovative John Atanassov Forum recently hosted a gathering of 500 cryptocurrency enthusiasts. This event marked the second edition of the Crypto Revolution Conference, a significant milestone for Bulgaria's crypto community. The first edition was the country's inaugural large-scale cryptocurrency event, setting the stage for this even more ambitious follow-up.
Event Overview and Significance
This conference solidifies Bulgaria's position on the global Bitcoin stage. What makes this event particularly noteworthy is its international character, featuring world-renowned speakers visiting Bulgaria for the first time. Entrepreneurs, investors, traders, engineers, authors, and reporters from around the world came together with a shared mission: to help people look beyond price fluctuations and understand Bitcoin's fundamental value proposition.
The conference format included both Bulgarian and international panelists, creating a diverse exchange of perspectives on cryptocurrency's present and future.
Featured Speakers and Panelists
The event brought together an impressive roster of experts from various facets of the cryptocurrency ecosystem:
- Jeff Booth: Entrepreneur, technical leader, and author of "The Price of Tomorrow"
- Greg Foss: Bond and debt trading expert, Bitcoin strategist
- Srebren Vatralov: Internet entrepreneur behind Grabo and Gepime
- Nikolay Delchev: Consultant at delchev.consulting
- Natalie Brunell: Polish-American media personality, investigative journalist, podcast host, and educator
- Knut Svanholm: Author of "Everything Divided By 21 Million"
- Johns Beharry: Bitcoin developer, founder of Bitcoin Design
- Pierre Corbin: Writer, director, and producer of "The Great Reset and the Rise of Bitcoin"
- Georgi Manolov: Business Development Manager at Nexo, publisher of "The Bitcoin Standard"
- Nikolaus Jilch: Financial journalist, lecturer, and moderator from Vienna
- David Bonev: Co-founder of BoneX cryptocurrency exchange
- Jeremy Winkler: IBEX Mercado
Conference Topics and Discussions
The conference agenda covered a comprehensive range of Bitcoin-related subjects:
Bitcoin as Investment
James Lavish and other panelists explored the differences between retail investors (individuals) and institutional investors (companies, funds). They discussed why institutional adoption matters and what it means for the market's future.
Bitcoin and Macroeconomics
Greg Foss provided a high-level perspective on the current economic landscape: the dollar surpassing the euro, potential overtaking of the pound, Federal Reserve interest rate hikes to decades-high levels, alongside America's $30 trillion debt with a 130% debt-to-GDP ratio—a dramatic shift from 30% the last time interest rates were this high.
Bitcoin: The Social Network
Nikolaus Jilch explored how Bitcoin functions as a borderless nation, how investors from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland collaborate, and what unites them in a system without a single nation, economy, or army.
Money in Critical Situations
Amy Karr shared insights from Ukraine and Middle Eastern countries about what happens when traditional money systems fail and how Bitcoin provides alternatives during darkest periods.
The Bitcoin Idea
Knut Svanholm examined the core idea behind Bitcoin: how the world might change under a Bitcoin standard without central banks, without money printing, and without the ability to create new money to cover budget shortfalls—a world where you only spend what you've already earned.
Bitcoin and the Lightning Network
Johns Beharry and Pierre Corbin discussed innovations we can expect on the Lightning Network and how they might transform everyday transactions.
Bitcoin Mining and Energy
Natalie Brunell presented Bitcoin mining as a business, exploring what it takes to be a profitable miner today amidst record-high electricity prices and Bitcoin's significant price decline.
Interview with Jeff Booth
Natalie Brunell conducted a one-hour on-stage interview with Jeff Booth, covering monetary systems, technological deflation, inflation, monetary policy, a multipolar world, capitalism, and corrupt elites—and how Bulgarians might prepare for coming changes.
Many sessions took the form of discussion panels rather than traditional lectures/presentations, with Bulgarian panelists actively participating.
Event Schedule
The conference followed this structured timeline:
- 9:00 Ticket check and badge distribution
- 10:00 Bitcoin: The Social Network + Bitcoin: The Idea
- 10:40 Panel discussion
- 11:30 Break
- 12:00 Money in Critical Situations + Bitcoin and Central America
- 12:40 Panel discussion
- 13:30 Lunch
- 15:00 Bitcoin as Investment
- 16:00 Break
- 16:30 Bitcoin and Macroeconomics
- 17:30 Break
- 18:00 Interview with Jeff Booth
- 19:00 Conclusion
Attendee Experiences
Participants shared overwhelmingly positive feedback about the event:
Dimitrios Raykinski noted: "The moment you enter the hall and see all these people, that's when the pleasant feeling comes. You're surrounded by people with a desire to develop, people filled with hope that things can be better in our country. At the end of the event, you don't want to leave—you're energized, thoughtful, you've heard stories, discovered friends."
Kristian Nachkov commented: "I want to thank the event organizers! It was great and unique! The lecturers performed uniquely and presented their lectures in an easy and understandable way! I'm a beginner and learned a lot! I can't wait for the next event!"
Martin Krastev shared: "Unforgettable event! The lecturers were at a very good level and the information they presented was easily understandable. They covered many interesting and current topics. Venue, hall, location, interior, decoration, lighting—everything TOP TOP. Networking with great people. Ways for memories/souvenirs from the event, merch on site. The kitchen, lunch—abundance, there was a large selection even for a Vegan like me."
Lyusien Nistorov echoed similar sentiments about the overall quality and organization.
Supporting Organizations
The Crypto Revolution Conference was organized with support from:
BoneX Crypto Exchange: An innovative digital wallet that provides a wide range of crypto services. Those interested in acquiring Bitcoin could do so through their platform.
Nexo: A leading global regulated institution for digital asset management, created in Bulgaria. The company's mission is to provide a complete set of financial services with the benefits of cryptocurrencies. Nexo manages over $4 billion in assets for more than 5,000,000 users across 200+ jurisdictions and has processed over $100 billion since its founding in 2018.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this conference different from other crypto events?
This event specifically focuses on Bitcoin rather than covering the entire cryptocurrency market. It brings together both international experts and local Bulgarian voices, creating a unique dialogue between global perspectives and regional insights. The emphasis is on education and community building rather than promotion.
Who should attend such conferences?
The conference welcomes everyone from complete beginners to experienced Bitcoin enthusiasts. The content is structured to provide value across knowledge levels, with sessions covering basic concepts alongside advanced economic analysis and technical developments.
How can I stay informed about future events?
Following the organizers' social media channels and signing up for their newsletter are the best ways to receive updates about future conferences and related events. The conference website also maintains information about upcoming activities.
What was the main language of the event?
The conference featured both Bulgarian and English speakers, with appropriate translation services provided to ensure all attendees could follow discussions regardless of their language preferences.
Are there networking opportunities at these events?
Yes, the conference deliberately built in breaks and social spaces specifically designed to encourage networking. Many attendees reported making valuable connections with both fellow enthusiasts and industry experts.
How technical were the presentations?
The sessions balanced technical depth with accessibility. While some discussions covered advanced economic concepts and technical developments, speakers made conscious efforts to make their content understandable to non-experts.
The Second Crypto Revolution Conference successfully built upon its inaugural edition, further establishing Bulgaria as an emerging hub for Bitcoin education and community development in Eastern Europe. The event demonstrated growing local interest in cryptocurrency alongside increasing international recognition of Bulgaria's potential in this space.