The shimmering lights of Las Vegas are no strangers to spectacle—but this week, the Strip welcomed a different kind of energy as thousands of Bitcoin believers gathered for the Bitcoin 2025 conference. Held at the Venetian Convention & Expo Center, the event drew crypto-curious newcomers, longtime HODLers, institutional investors, and grassroots Bitcoiners alike—each drawn by a shared belief in digital money and a fresh wave of market optimism.
Although Bitcoin hit a new all-time high just days before the conference, the real value for many attendees wasn’t just in charts or price action—it was in the opportunity to connect face-to-face in a digital-first industry. Organized by BTC Inc., this year’s conference boasted a star-studded lineup that included Vice President JD Vance and, perhaps most controversially, Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht—still serving a life sentence but now a symbolic figure within parts of the Bitcoin community.
David Bailey, CEO of BTC Inc., highlighted a dramatic surge in institutional interest, noting on X that participation from large financial players had increased fivefold since last year. But the scene was far from corporate alone. The retail crowd, energized by recent political developments and the ongoing crypto revival, added its own color and passion to the mix.
Among them was Marcia Roye Madison, a family nurse practitioner from California who represents a growing demographic of late adopters—those discovering Bitcoin through social media and seeking financial alternatives. Inspired by Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin evangelism, Madison began investing earlier this year as a hedge against inflation and dollar devaluation.
“With everything going on in the economy, I don’t want to rely on fiat alone for retirement,” she shared. “I may be new to Bitcoin, but I’m serious about building long-term wealth.”
Her sentiment echoes a larger trend: Bitcoin’s appeal has broadened far beyond libertarian tech circles or Wall Street speculation. It’s reaching everyday professionals, retirees, small business owners—even winemakers.
One of them is Ben Justman, owner of Peony Lane Winery in Colorado. Catering to Bitcoiners by accepting the cryptocurrency for wine purchases, Justman views the conference as a place to solidify digital relationships in person.
“Bitcoiners are my customer base,” he said. “This event is about more than business—it’s about community.”
Another attendee, Isaiah, a videographer from Minnesota, has attended the Bitcoin conference three times, volunteering his time and covering his own costs just to be part of the experience. What stood out this year? The location.
“Vegas adds a special flair,” he said, sipping an energy drink before his next shift. “You’ve got the buzz of the Strip, but also this strong sense of purpose among people here. It’s inspiring.”
Trump’s presence at last year’s Bitcoin 2024 in Nashville made headlines, and his crypto-forward messaging has seemingly left a lasting impression. Since then, Trump Media & Technology Group has raised $2.5 billion to purchase Bitcoin for its corporate treasury, and the former president has signed an executive order to create a national Bitcoin reserve—proposals that once felt fringe, but now reflect the currency’s growing influence in U.S. policy.
As Bitcoin continues to test new highs and capture fresh attention from both the public and private sectors, the mood on the ground at Bitcoin 2025 feels less like a passing trend and more like a movement solidifying its mainstream status.
For newcomers like Madison and veterans like Isaiah, one thing is clear: Bitcoin is no longer just a digital asset. It’s becoming a lifestyle, a cause, and—at least for a few days on the Las Vegas Strip—a celebration.
