- Blockchain Summit Latam 2023 brought together more than 1,500 attendees and over 160 speakers from 22 different nationalities.
- During the Business Day, Diego Herrera from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) presented a study on the current state of cryptocurrencies in Latin America.
- Towerbank announced the launch of a crypto wallet with a bank account, marking a milestone in cryptocurrency adoption in the region.
The 7th edition of Blockchain Summit Latam 2023, held in Bogotá, Colombia, was a resounding success thanks to the participation of over 1,500 crypto enthusiasts from Latin America and more than 160 speakers representing 22 different nationalities. They shared their knowledge and vision for the future of cryptocurrencies in the region.
The event had two distinct components: the Business Day and the Main Event. On October 4th, the Business Day brought together over 350 high-profile executives, providing an excellent opportunity to foster new business relationships, strategic alliances, and expand professional networks.
One of the highlights of the Business Day was the presentation by Diego Herrera from the Inter-American Development Bank (BID), who, in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, presented an in-depth study on the current state of cryptocurrencies in Latin America and the Caribbean. Herrera addressed critical topics such as financial inclusion, cryptocurrency investments in the region, and the regulatory challenges faced by the industry. He also commended Brazil for its progress in terms of regulations and crypto adoption.
Additionally, during this event, Alfredo Bateman, the Secretary of Economic Development of Bogotá, Isabella Muñoz, CEO of Invest in Bogota, and Iván Durán, Chief TIC Advisor of the Mayor’s Office of Bogotá, introduced the District of Science, Technology, and Innovation, which is being established in Bogotá to attract both Colombian and global entrepreneurs to the city.
Mauricio Tovar, CEO of TRU Web3 and co-organizer of the event in Bogotá, expressed, “The most common feedback from attendees, speakers, and sponsors is that Blockchain Summit Latam 2023 was a high-quality event for doing business, acquiring clients, and having discussions about the future. I’m sure that these connections will result in better products and services for Latin Americans.”
The Main Event mobilized over 1,500 attendees over two days of conference and featured more than 160 speakers.
Cristóbal Pereira, Director of Blockchain Summit Latam, stated, “We are delighted to have successfully closed the largest event we have organized to date. Last year, we had 1,200 attendees and 125 speakers, and this year, we increased by 25% in attendees and 30% in speakers. What makes us happiest is that the essence of the event was felt in the words of everyone. Business, networking, and the ecosystem are the three fundamental pillars of the event, and for our next edition, we will continue to promote them.”
Some of the most notable discussions during the Blockchain Summit Latam included those by Manuel Beaudroit, CEO of Belo, Marcelo Cavazzoli, CEO of Lemon, Edwin Zácipa, founder of Latam Fintech Hub, and Luis Ocegueda, Director of Engineering at Trust Wallet. They discussed the importance of cryptocurrency wallets in facilitating access and adoption in Latin America, but they also noted the need for clear regulations in the region to achieve these goals.
Renowned Bitcoin educator Dan Held explained why he believes Bitcoin will outlast historical forms of money like gold and fiat currencies. Held argued that “Bitcoin was born at a time when the trust-based system had broken,” particularly after the 2008 financial crisis in the United States. He highlighted the key to Bitcoin’s potential, its limited supply of 21 million BTC.
“It’s exciting to see how big the Bitcoin community is in Colombia. Their enthusiasm gives me hope that adoption in South America will continue to grow rapidly,” noted Dan Held.
Additionally, Mauricio Tovar analyzed how cryptocurrencies can help address financial issues in Latin America. He explained that while cryptocurrencies don’t solve root problems, they can help people save in stable currencies as alternatives to physical dollars, which are not easily accessible to everyone. Tovar emphasized that Bitcoin is a good long-term investment, as its short-term volatility may not make it the best choice for everyone.
Alberto Boada, a board member of the Central Bank of Colombia, made controversial statements about central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), asserting that CBDCs pose a “significant danger” by allowing a high level of surveillance over users’ finances, effectively becoming a sort of “Big Brother” that compromises privacy.
TowerBank announced the launch of a unified crypto wallet with a bank account during the Blockchain Summit Latam 2023, marking a significant milestone in cryptocurrency adoption in the region. Gabriel Campa, Head of Digital Assets at the Panamanian bank, highlighted that “Ikigii, Towerbank International’s Crypto-Friendly Banking platform, simplifies cryptocurrency investments, enabling users to buy, sell, exchange, and receive funds in a US dollar account. It also offers a Visa debit card and international transfers, combining the best of banking and the crypto world.”
Additionally, Towerbank offered all its crypto-friendly account customers the opportunity to deposit USDT and convert them to USD in their accounts with no fees, up to $1,500. This promotion is valid for a limited time.
The event concluded with a panel titled “Blockchain and Combating Corruption: Building a More Transparent and Socially Impactful Future.” The panel was moderated by Diego Mazo, co-founder of Tropykus, and featured Mónica Taher from RocketFuel, Indira Kempis, Senator for Nuevo León and presidential candidate for Mexico, and Pierre Champsavoir from Blockchain for Good.
Senator Indira Kempis highlighted that implementing blockchain technology can improve the perception and execution of government functions for the benefit of the population. She also emphasized that corruption has become a serious issue in the region and could be addressed or at least controlled through blockchain use.
The extensive attendance, numerous business opportunities, and the high caliber of speakers reaffirmed the position of Blockchain Summit Latam as the leading event on cryptocurrencies and blockchain in Latin America. The event received support from prominent national and international sponsors such as Towerbank and Exness, as well as Colledge, Global DTT, BingX, Algorand, Ledn, Bitso, Fireblocks, Solidus Capital, Internet Computer ICP, Chainalysis, Bitgo, UnionBlock, Vantage, Koibanx, CoinEx, Unergy, UTIX Blockchain Ticketing, AFTX, Nexxdi OTC, Worldcoin, Ripio, Tropykus, CESS, Coincaex, TruBit, Rootstock, RIF, and GSE.
If you couldn’t attend the event, we invite you to watch all the live-streamed talks from the Blockchain Summit Latam on our YouTube channel.
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