About Us

CRYPTOCURRENCY AND BLOCKCHAIN EVENTS

Setting the standard for blockchain and cryptocurrency events since 2015.

Bitcoin Events, co-founded by Sonya Kuhnel and Theo Sauls in 2014, emerged as a result of their early adoption of cryptocurrencies and their strong belief in the transformative potential of blockchain technology. With a keen focus on addressing challenges, such as financial inclusion, economic development, and job creation, they recognised the need for education and information on blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies in the region.

To bridge this knowledge gap, Bitcoin Events established a platform that offers a range of events, workshops, and educational meetups. These gatherings provide valuable opportunities for individuals and organisations to learn, connect, and network with like-minded enthusiasts and industry leaders who are actively building products and services utilising blockchain technology.

Bitcoin Events pioneered Africa’s blockchain conference landscape in 2015 with the Bitcoin Africa Conference in Cape Town, which evolved into the landmark Blockchain Africa Conference. Over a decade, this flagship event has grown into one of the continent’s most influential industry gatherings.

Building on this success, the Crypto Fest was launched in Cape Town in 2019, followed by the virtual DeFi Conference in 2020 – a strategic pivot that expanded global accessibility through digital platforms.

Throughout the 10-year journey, we have had the honor of welcoming over 18,000 attendees from more than 165 countries. We have had the privilege of engaging with esteemed individuals and reputable companies at the forefront of the blockchain space. With a far-reaching influence, Bitcoin Events remains dedicated to empowering Africa through our world-class events, contributing to the advancement of the region’s blockchain ecosystem.

Blockchain Africa Conference

Bitcoin Events has been at the forefront of blockchain and cryptocurrency innovation in Africa, organizing the groundbreaking Blockchain Africa Conferences since 2015. Over the past decade, these conferences have attracted approximately 11,000 attendees from across the globe, solidifying their status as the premier blockchain event on the continent.

As the pioneers of this remarkable initiative, we’ve hosted some of the brightest minds and industry trailblazers, including visionaries such as Charles Hoskinson, Founder and CEO of IOHK and Cardano; Rene Reinsberg, Co-Founder of Celo and President of the Celo Foundation; Sandra Ro, CEO of the Global Blockchain Business Council; Denelle Dixon, CEO and Executive Director of the Stellar Development Foundation; and Andreas M. Antonopoulos, an esteemed expert in security and distributed systems.

Our conferences have consistently served as a platform for global thought leaders to exchange ideas, foster collaboration, and explore the transformative potential of blockchain technology, with a particular focus on its applications and impact in Africa.

Throughout the years, our themes have evolved alongside the blockchain industry’s progression. From “Beyond the Hype” to “From Hype to Mainstream”, and most recently, “Ready for Business?”, our conferences have reflected the maturing of blockchain technology and its journey toward widespread adoption.

Join us as we continue to lead the way, inspire innovation, and shape the future of blockchain technology. Prepare to be inspired by industry pioneers, participate in thought-provoking discussions, and forge meaningful connections that drive impactful change.

Crypto Fest

Crypto Fest is South Africa’s premier crypto festival, held annually in Cape Town. For six years, this groundbreaking event has brought together an extraordinary mix of game-changers, thought leaders, innovators, technologists, entrepreneurs, traders, enthusiasts, investors (private and institutional), payment providers, cryptocurrency exchanges, and forward-thinking individuals driving innovation in cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.

As the go-to destination for Web3.0 insights, Crypto Fest features global speakers at the forefront of crypto and blockchain innovation. Since its inception, the event has welcomed over 5,000 attendees, offering engaging discussions on a wide array of topics, including NFTs, DeFi, cryptocurrencies, and blockchain technology.

The festival has been hosted in some of Cape Town’s most iconic venues, such as Cabo Beach Club, The Grand Africa Beach Café, the DHL Stadium, and Workshop 17 at the Cape Town Waterfront. Each location highlights not only the innovation of the event but also the beauty and vibrancy of South Africa’s hosting capabilities.

Crypto Fest continues to be the ultimate gathering for anyone passionate about the future of finance, technology, and innovation.

Mainstreaming Digital Assets: Institutional Adoption in South Africa

Join us for the second edition of this exclusive, executive-level forum focused on how digital assets are moving into the regulated financial system and becoming embedded within institutional frameworks across South Africa.

As local regulatory clarity advances and global markets mature, South African institutions are engaging with digital assets through compliant access points such as ETFs, OTC markets, stablecoins, and tokenized real-world assets. The event highlights how banks, asset managers, and market infrastructure providers are addressing compliance, custody, security, scalability, interoperability, and risk, while unlocking efficiencies in payments, settlement, and capital markets.

With a strong focus on regulation, institutional-grade infrastructure, and real-world use cases, this forum positions South Africa at a critical inflection point in the mainstream adoption of digital assets.

Key Discussions:
• Compliance and regulatory frameworks for institutional digital asset adoption
• Institutional access via ETFs, CFDs, and OTC markets
• Stablecoin adoption and banking use cases
• Institutional adoption of digital assets across financial markets

Don’t miss this chance to engage with industry leaders, policymakers, and financial innovators as we shape the future of digital assets in South Africa!

BlockchainAfrica Conference 2026

CRYPTOCURRENCY AND BLOCKCHAIN EVENTS

Our Events Over the years

Bitcoin Africa Conference 2015

Bitcoin and Blockchain Africa Conference 2016

Blockchain Africa Conference 2017

Blockchain Africa Conference 2018

Blockchain Africa Conference 2019

Crypto Fest 2019

Blockchain Africa Conference 2020

DeFi Conference 2020

Crypto Fest 2020

Blockchain Africa Conference 2021

DeFi Conference 2021

Crypto Fest 2021

Blockchain Africa Conference 2022

Crypto Fest 2022

Blockchain Africa Conference 2023

Crypto Fest 2023

Crypto Fest 2024

Blockchain Africa Conference 2024

Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Summit 2025

Mainstreaming Digital Assets: Institutional Adoption in South Africa

Blockchain Africa Conference 2025

Crypto Fest 2025

Blockchain Africa Conference

Crypto Fest

Mainstreaming Digital Assets: Institutional Adoption in South Africa