2019 proved to be a landmark year for the cryptocurrency and blockchain landscape, brimming with high-profile conferences that brought together visionaries, investors, developers, and enthusiasts from around the world. These gatherings didn’t just provide updates — they helped steer the direction of an evolving industry. Here’s a closer look at the standout events of that year.
Bitcoin 2019: A Community Reunited
Held in San Francisco on June 25–26, Bitcoin 2019 was a defining moment for the Bitcoin ecosystem. Framed as “A Peer-to-Peer Conference,” the event aimed to mend rifts within the community and spotlight innovators pushing Bitcoin forward.
Marking a decade of Bitcoin’s tumultuous yet transformative journey — from scandals and forks to technological leaps — this conference offered a space for collaboration and reflection on Bitcoin’s next chapter. Attendees heard from key industry names like David Bailey (BTC Inc), Tim Draper, Anthony Pompliano, and Steve Lee of Square Crypto.
Discussions ranged from Lightning Network innovations to mining evolution and regulatory hurdles, blending technical insights with broad macroeconomic perspectives. In essence, Bitcoin 2019 rekindled a sense of shared mission and laid groundwork for future progress.
Consensus 2019: Industry at Scale
From May 13–15, Consensus 2019 took over two iconic New York venues, becoming one of the year’s most influential blockchain summits. Known for uniting stakeholders across the entire crypto spectrum, the event served as a melting pot of ideas, technologies, and market strategies.
Structured across three tracks — Business, Markets, and Technology — the agenda offered something for everyone, from institutional investors to indie developers. Attendees gained insights from leaders such as Tim Byun (OKCoin), legal expert Jake Chervinsky, and representatives from major financial and regulatory institutions.
As part of Blockchain Week NYC, Consensus helped position New York as a critical hub for blockchain conversation and collaboration.
Asia Blockchain Summit 2019: Taiwan Takes the Lead
On July 2–3, Taipei hosted the Asia Blockchain Summit, drawing over 5,000 attendees and hundreds of top firms. More than just another conference, it anchored what became known as “Taipei Blockchain Week,” a sprawling ecosystem of satellite events and community engagement.
One headline-grabbing moment came from “The Tangle in Taipei,” a fiery debate between BitMEX’s Arthur Hayes and crypto-skeptic economist Nouriel Roubini. Another pivotal announcement came from Binance’s CZ, unveiling plans for 20x leverage futures trading.
Taiwan also made waves by moving toward STO regulation — a bold step that positioned it as a regulatory pioneer in East Asia. With big names like Charlie Lee, Justin Sun, and Jason Hsu present, the summit helped cement Asia’s growing influence in shaping blockchain’s future.
Crypto Valley Conference 2019: Research Meets Real-World Impact
Zug, Switzerland — often dubbed “Crypto Valley” — hosted this academically inclined event from June 24–26. Organized in the heart of Europe’s blockchain capital, the conference brought together researchers, executives, regulators, and engineers for a deep dive into emerging tech and policy.
The program spanned three parallel tracks and featured speakers from major institutions like IBM, Dfinity, the EU Commission, and the Bank of England. Topics covered everything from cross-border payments to identity management and interoperability.
Blending academic rigor with practical application, the Crypto Valley Conference showcased Switzerland’s global leadership in blockchain research and regulation — all topped off with a scenic networking cruise on Lake Zug.
TOKEN2049: Asia’s Crypto Vanguard
Held March 13–14 in Hong Kong, TOKEN2049 stood as the flagship event of the first Asia Crypto Week. Following a blockbuster 2018 edition, the 2019 conference welcomed figures like Charlie Lee and continued its mission to bridge the gap between innovation and adoption.
With thousands in attendance, the event addressed blockchain’s biggest challenges — scalability, regulation, and mass integration. TOKEN2049 wasn’t just about flashy tech; it celebrated the grit of an industry weathering the “crypto winter” and emerging stronger.
More than just a conference, TOKEN2049 positioned Hong Kong as a core node in Asia’s blockchain network, fostering partnerships across sectors and borders.