NiceHash, the world’s largest hashrate marketplace, is excited to announce NiceHashX, the first Bitcoin-focused conference in Maribor. The event, styled as the ‘Bitcoin Conference on the Sunny Side of the Alps,’ will be held on November 8-9, 2024, celebrating NiceHash’s 10-year anniversary and introducing Maribor as a new entry point into the European cryptocurrency market.
The conference aims to highlight Maribor and Slovenia as emerging Bitcoin hubs, demonstrating the region’s potential in the global crypto space. Slovenia already boasts over 1,000 businesses accepting Bitcoin as payment, and the event will shine a spotlight on several local Maribor enterprises actively leveraging the technology. One of the conference’s stages will be dedicated exclusively to showcasing these innovative businesses.
“We are thrilled to showcase Slovenia as a leader in European Bitcoin adoption,” says Vladimir Hozjan, CEO of NiceHash. “After 10 years in this industry, we have seen firsthand how Bitcoin is being embraced here in Maribor and across Slovenia. We invite the world to join us in celebrating this milestone and to experience Bitcoin in its most authentic form, used by everyday people alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry.”
The event will feature an impressive lineup of speakers, including:
- Saifedean Ammous, author of The Bitcoin Standard
- Joe Hall (Nakamoto), ex-Cointelegraph reporter
- Martin Kuchař, CEO of the BTC Prague conference
- Pierre Corbin, Co-founder of Bitcoin FilmFest
- Jameson Lopp, CTO of CASA
Discussions will cover European Bitcoin adoption and regulation, the evolving mining and energy landscape, and the future of exchanges amidst tightening regulatory frameworks.
Attendees will enjoy a wide range of experiences, from an expansive expo area and three main stages to various side events, including an official after-party featuring a VIP dinner and a music performance by world-renowned DJ Claptone. Moreover, NiceHash has soft-launched a BTC payment solution with local merchants, which will be demoed at the event and throughout Maribor.
Maribor, nestled in the foothills of the Pohorje Mountains and surrounded by wine-growing hills, offers a picturesque backdrop for the conference. Known for its stunning architecture, cozy cafes, and relaxed atmosphere, the city was also named the European Capital of Culture in 2012.
Slovenia is often overlooked in the European blockchain scene, yet it ranks second in Europe for blockchain startups, trailing only Switzerland, and has one of the highest Bitcoin adoption rates per capita. With Bitcoin-themed landmarks such as BTC City in Ljubljana and the Satoshi monument, the country is home to numerous businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets, that accept Bitcoin. By 2028, nearly 20% of Slovenia’s population—an estimated 385,700 people—are expected to be crypto users.
About NiceHash
NiceHash is a leading player in the cryptocurrency mining industry. Founded in Slovenia in 2014, the company is the world’s largest hashrate marketplace and has facilitated Bitcoin adoption for millions of people worldwide. NiceHash offers a comprehensive ecosystem of mining and Bitcoin payment services and launched the world’s first fully automated Lightning payouts for miners in 2024.
