As activity in the cryptocurrency world has reached a fever pitch, two Tampanians are looking to capture that excitement and make the state a hub for future activity.
Chris Krimitsos and Gabe Higgins, both Tampa entrepreneurs, have teamed up to launch the Florida Blockchain and Bitcoin Summit, which runs June 6-8.
"Because of [Tampa innovation hub] Embarc Collective, Florida Funders and a handful of other initiatives, Tampa is becoming a hotbed of technologies," Krimitsos said. "And I do feel like Tampa will take the lead in the state when it comes to blockchain innovation. Miami is the international hub; Tampa could be the sister city."
Krimitsos expects the Orlando-based conference to have over 300 attendees, which can register the day the conference begins. The conference is solely in person and will have no online option. There will be three tracks: beginners, stakeholders, and advocates, allowing both novices and experts to learn more about fostering growth in the blockchain and cryptocurrency sector.
"There is a lot of nuances to how blockchain is being used, but that's the problem — we need to meet one another and know what everyone is doing, so we can have a cross-flow of ideas," he said.
He also intentionally scheduled it immediately after Miami-based "Bitcoin 2021 Conference," which runs June 4-5.
"Experts are flying in, so now we have access with that and Florida authorities," Krimitsos said. "So, mix them together and you have the perfect mix."
There will be a number of keynote speakers on Tuesday, along with networking events, lunches and dinners, and even a kickoff party with local artists seeking to turn their pieces into NFTs, or non-fungible tokens.
This is the first of what Krimitsos expects to be several held throughout the state, with hopes to bring one to Tampa Bay by this November.
The region has already crept into the national conversation. Celsius crypto co-founder Nuke Goldstein moved from New York to Tampa in May. Pocket Network, a Tampa-based blockchain company, earned $9.3 million after six months after launching. Blockchain-focused tech company BlockSpaces, which Higgins co-founded, raised $1.2 million from Silicon Valley heavy hitters. And community organizations such as Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay launched a "blockchain for teens" program.
"You've got Miami, which the new financial capital of the country," Krimitsos said. "And Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and other cities now have a huge opportunity to be the new Silicon Valley of blockchain if we play our cards right."
