What Was Bitcoin Amsterdam 2022?
Bitcoin Amsterdam 2022 was the inaugural edition of the European Bitcoin Conference — Europe's largest dedicated Bitcoin event at the time of its launch — held at the Westergas Event Forum in Amsterdam from 12 to 14 October 2022. Organized by BTC Inc. (the company behind Bitcoin Magazine and the Bitcoin Conference series) in partnership with Amsterdam Decentralized, it drew approximately 3,000 attendees and 126 speakers across six on-site locations and three fully programmed stages. Details sat on the official Bitcoin Amsterdam page. With the motto "No region left behind," the conference aimed to extend the global hyperbitcoinization mission to the European continent — following the massive success of Bitcoin 2022 in Miami.
To follow similar shows, check CoinGabbar's bitcoin events list and the crypto events calendar.
Key Themes and Event Highlights
The three-day event combined technical Bitcoin education with freedom-first values and the vibrant community culture that has characterized the Bitcoin Conference series globally.
Event Highlights
- Dr. Adam Back (Co-Founder and CEO, Blockstream) — a Bitcoin pioneer and cypherpunk whose Hashcash proof-of-work system directly inspired Bitcoin's mining algorithm — spoke on Bitcoin's technical future.
- Jack Mallers (Founder, Strike) — the architect of El Salvador's Lightning-based Bitcoin adoption — headlined as one of the conference's most recognized voices.
- Stella Assange (human rights lawyer and wife of Julian Assange) spoke on the intersection of Bitcoin, digital freedom, censorship resistance, and financial sovereignty — her presence framing the conference's freedom-first ethos.
- Balaji Srinivasan (former a16z partner; author, The Network State) brought his vision of network states and Bitcoin's role in sovereignty.
- Obi Nwosu (CEO, Fedi Inc.) — a leading voice in Bitcoin community banking and Fedimint technology.
- Nigel Farage joined Peter McCormack on the main stage to discuss decentralization and European financial competitiveness.
- Six on-site locations, three stages: The sprawling Westergas venue — a converted gasworks industrial complex — provided an "open campus" format where all areas were walkable and accessible.
- Lightning-enabled event: 20+ food trucks, vendors, and merchants accepted Bitcoin Lightning payments — one of the first large-scale conferences to operate an entire merchant ecosystem on Lightning.
- Bitcoin Art Gallery: An art exhibition featuring European Bitcoin artists, mirroring the art gallery tradition from Bitcoin 2022 Miami.
- Amsterdam Decentralized partnership: The event was co-organized with the local grassroots Bitcoin adoption organization — embedding it into Amsterdam's existing Bitcoin community.
How Bitcoin and Crypto Are Growing in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has 14% adult crypto adoption (2.5 million users) and 350+ blockchain companies. Amsterdam is Europe's top crypto innovation hub alongside London. Under MiCA, the AFM issues licenses and DNB handles prudential oversight. Dutch exchanges Bitvavo and Bitonic are leaders in the EU. The Netherlands was among Europe's earliest countries to develop a crypto AML registration regime (since 2020 under DNB). Tether invested in Dutch fintech Quantoz for MiCA-compliant stablecoins, and Kraken acquired Dutch broker Coin Meester in 2024. For more shows, see CoinGabbar's bitcoin events page.
Impact of the Conference on European Bitcoin Adoption
Bitcoin Amsterdam 2022 proved that Europe could host a Bitcoin-culture conference at scale — combining the Miami conference's energy with a European sensibility. The Lightning-enabled merchant ecosystem demonstrated practical Bitcoin adoption in a consumer setting. Stella Assange's and Balaji Srinivasan's presence reinforced that Bitcoin's European narrative was as much about freedom and sovereignty as it was about finance. The 2023 edition returned to Westergas, building on this historic success.
Why Sponsors, Exhibitors and Projects Should Join
- Bitcoin infrastructure companies: reach Europe's largest Bitcoin-dedicated audience of developers, miners, investors, and enthusiasts.
- Lightning Network builders: Amsterdam's first Lightning-enabled conference venue creates a practical showcase for payments innovation.
- Hardware wallets and custody: the sovereign Bitcoin community is your most receptive audience for cold storage education.
- Mining and energy companies: connect with European Bitcoiners exploring energy-efficient Bitcoin mining as the continent builds out renewable capacity.
To get involved, list a crypto event or email event@coingabbar.io.
Why KOLs, Media and Influencers Attend
The Bitcoin Conference generates significant media coverage globally — particularly given Bitcoin's price sensitivity to conference announcements. European Bitcoin media found a home conference for the first time. Coverage can spread through the crypto press release network.
Why Bitcoiners and Participants Join
European Bitcoiners come to meet the global Bitcoin community without flying to Miami. For three days, Amsterdam becomes the world's Bitcoin capital — with Lightning merchants, art galleries, technical workshops, and the shared conviction that Bitcoin changes the world.
Tickets and PR Offers With CoinGabbar
CoinGabbar covers Bitcoin events globally. Free or discounted press release publishing is available. Email event@coingabbar.io.
How the Event Concluded and What Came Next
Bitcoin Amsterdam 2022 closed with a celebration of European Bitcoin culture and community. The 2023 edition returned to Westergas with expanded programming. The event has become a fixture of the European Bitcoin calendar, consistently attracting 100+ speakers and thousands of attendees. Track upcoming shows on the crypto events calendar and our bitcoin events page.
Glossary of Key Terms
- Hyperbitcoinization: a theoretical scenario where Bitcoin becomes the dominant global monetary system — the philosophical goal driving many Bitcoin Conference events.
- Lightning Network: a Bitcoin Layer 2 protocol enabling near-instant, nearly-free microtransactions — the technology behind El Salvador's Chivo wallet and Strike's payment services.
- Blockstream: a Bitcoin infrastructure company co-founded by Dr. Adam Back, building satellite networks, hardware wallets, and sidechains (Liquid) for Bitcoin.
- Westergas: a converted late-19th-century gasworks complex in Amsterdam, now a cultural and event space known for its industrial-aesthetic outdoor areas and event halls.
- Network State: a concept coined by Balaji Srinivasan in his 2022 book of the same name, describing a digital community that achieves physical territory through the accumulation of property — Bitcoin plays a central role in its economic model.
Disclaimer
This page is for general information only. It is not financial, legal, or investment advice. The event described was held in October 2022; future dates may differ. Verify with the official source and do your own research. Bitcoin and crypto assets are volatile.
