{"$schema": "https://c3voc.de/schedule/schema.json", "generator": {"name": "pretalx", "version": "2026.1.0.dev0"}, "schedule": {"url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/schedule/", "version": "0.9", "base_url": "https://pretalx.com", "conference": {"acronym": "abcpt26", "title": "Adopting Bitcoin Cape Town 2026", "start": "2026-01-30", "end": "2026-01-31", "daysCount": 2, "timeslot_duration": "00:05", "time_zone_name": "Africa/Johannesburg", "colors": {"primary": "#db901e"}, "rooms": [{"name": "Machankura", "slug": "5226-machankura", "guid": "b8e5d916-ca8c-57f6-a142-b305c0082bde", "description": "Event Space | Upstairs next to the check-in and registration desk", "capacity": 250}, {"name": "Blink", "slug": "5227-blink", "guid": "1d1860ec-1366-508f-8806-4afcf936b48b", "description": "Seminar Room A | Above Pure Good Cafe", "capacity": 70}, {"name": "BTrust", "slug": "5228-btrust", "guid": "4d2a9833-911a-5566-8889-b8ca7a8ae963", "description": "Seminar Room B | Above Pure Good Cafe", "capacity": 36}], "tracks": [{"name": "Machankura Stage", "slug": "5899-machankura-stage", "color": "#1D9917"}, {"name": "Blink Stage", "slug": "5900-blink-stage", "color": "#e27e16"}, {"name": "BTrust Workshop Room", "slug": "5898-btrust-workshop-room", "color": "#060606"}], "days": [{"index": 1, "date": "2026-01-30", "day_start": "2026-01-30T04:00:00+02:00", "day_end": "2026-01-31T03:59:00+02:00", "rooms": {"Machankura": [{"guid": "5cf6a385-f71a-5290-a5de-3761c3263e16", "code": "TRMY7H", "id": 88565, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T09:00:00+02:00", "start": "09:00", "duration": "00:10", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-88565-opening-remarks", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/TRMY7H/", "title": "Opening Remarks", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Opening Remarks", "description": "Opening Remarks", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "FEYRQV", "name": "Kgothatso Ngako", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/FEYRQV_xndETBV.webp", "biography": "Kgothatso Ngako is a catalyst aiming to accelerate the adoption of Bitcoin across the African continent. He is currently building out @Machankura8333 , which is a service giving people without an internet connected device the ability to send and receive Bitcoin.", "public_name": "Kgothatso Ngako", "guid": "2b9d1a9e-918b-519c-baa1-940f3487a8f5", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/FEYRQV/"}, {"code": "YAFXMF", "name": "Hermann Buhr Vivier", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/YAFXMF_yWtJwDe.webp", "biography": "Hermann Buhr Vivier is the founder of Bitcoin Ekasi, est. 2021. Bitcoin Ekasi is a Bitcoin circular economy project based in Mossel Bay, South Africa. The project is inspired by Bitcoin Beach (El Salvador) and utilizes The Surfer Kids, a social development & youth empowerment non-profit that Hermann co-founded in 2010, as a community platform. \r\n\r\nHermann\u2019s involvement with Bitcoin dates back to late 2013 when he stumbled across an early print copy of Bitcoin Magazine.\r\n\r\nLater, in 2015, an international tourism business he co-owns with his wife was separated from its client base due to financial sanctions. Bitcoin became a way to receive payments, bypassing sanctions and saving their business. This experience triggered a deep interest in Bitcoin as a solution to immediate problems, related specifically to its use as an uncensorable medium of exchange.", "public_name": "Hermann Buhr Vivier", "guid": "91c847bf-f525-5522-8524-3fe05c301034", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/YAFXMF/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/TRMY7H/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/TRMY7H/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "082d6d5f-ec71-510c-8b68-eca736924fb8", "code": "DHZ38Y", "id": 88201, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T09:15:00+02:00", "start": "09:15", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-88201-building-agency-how-bitcoin-and-decentralized-tech-restore-people-s-power", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/DHZ38Y/", "title": "Building Agency: How Bitcoin and Decentralized Tech Restore People's Power", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "If you've ever felt powerless watching your savings erode, your voice silenced and your privacy infringed, this session shows you there's an exit - and how to take it.", "description": "Anita's talk explores how centralized institutions increasingly fail ordinary people through inflation, surveillance, and censorship. Opting out isn't just philosophical resistance - it's a technical reality. From sovereign money to censorship-resistant communication and privacy-preserving AI, learn how these tools restore individual agency in an age of institutional decline.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "7MYX38", "name": "Anita", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/7MYX38_1APe1rE.webp", "biography": "Anita is a Change Maker and Freedom Tech advocate, renowned Bitcoin educator, author, founder of the online academy Crack the Orange as well as founder of Bitcoin for Fairness, a non-profit initiative that has a strong focus on Bitcoin adoption in the Global South through education, knowledge sharing and capacity building on the ground. \r\n\r\nAnita's focus is on promoting Freedom Tech like Bitcoin and Nostr, which empower individuals and the civil society in achieving financial freedom, digital privacy, self-sovereignty and protection from governmental and corporate surveillance.", "public_name": "Anita", "guid": "bfe81dd2-1c23-5076-924a-4f9761fa7ef8", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/7MYX38/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/DHZ38Y/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/DHZ38Y/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "6ec94d14-c6bc-502a-9e34-ee0d2646ca0a", "code": "VJXRS7", "id": 88567, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T09:40:00+02:00", "start": "09:40", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-88567-africa-bitcoin-corporation", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/VJXRS7/", "title": "Africa Bitcoin Corporation", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Stafford Masie", "description": "Stafford Masie", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "SNKLSE", "name": "Stafford Masie", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/SNKLSE_uOAz7Zt.webp", "biography": "Stafford Masie has 30 Years of IT Industry Experience with an extensive career in the IT and digital innovation sectors, including leadership roles at global companies like Google, WeWork, Novell, and Dimension Data. He worked as a Global Corporate Technology Strategist at Novell's HQ in Utah, USA for 7 years and later founded and established Google\u2019s presence in South Africa..\r\nWhen Stafford was introduced to Bitcoin in 2014 he was knee deep in building a Tradfi startup, inventing the thumbzup Payment Pebble, a world-first solution that expanded globally after Visa Inc. invested in the company.\r\nHe is a technology angel investor in several leading pre-seed startups, served on the board of Discovery Bank, CSIR, Advtech & chairman of the Wits University Innovation Lab, is also chairman of the board at Altvest Capital, Executive Chairman of the Africa Bitcoin Corporation (Africa\u2019s first BTC Treasury Company listed on the JSE), Co-founder of BitMach (a Bitcoin mining company), an independent \u201ccrypto\u201d advisor to several regulatory bodies in South Africa, and Guest (MBA) lecturer at GIBS, UJ School of Business, and Henley Business Schools.", "public_name": "Stafford Masie", "guid": "95c81001-b4d1-5070-877f-d661f254a788", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/SNKLSE/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/VJXRS7/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/VJXRS7/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "664989b9-0a4d-58cd-8ba0-33c310cb082f", "code": "3R799G", "id": 88553, "logo": "https://pretalx.com/media/abcpt26/submissions/3R799G/Gemini_Generated_Image_j0v1_LScb4Uc.webp", "date": "2026-01-30T10:05:00+02:00", "start": "10:05", "duration": "00:40", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-88553-blockchain-surveillance-privacy", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/3R799G/", "title": "Blockchain Surveillance & Privacy", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Panel", "language": "en", "abstract": "Blockchain Surveillance & Privacy", "description": "Bitcoin\u2019s transparent ledger has enabled powerful blockchain surveillance tools, intensified regulatory scrutiny, and deep disagreement about privacy and state oversight. This panel brings together sharply different perspectives to examine whether surveillance is an inevitable consequence of transparency, a necessary regulatory tool, or a fundamental threat to Bitcoin\u2019s purpose. The discussion aims to leave the audience with a clearer mental model of what Bitcoin privacy really means, who it serves, and where the limits of state involvement should lie.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "WAMQX7", "name": "Carel de Jager", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/WAMQX7_EZ8X22E.webp", "biography": "Carel de Jager is an engineer with a passion for Bitcoin, Cryptography, and Energy. Since 2016, he has trained developers, corporates, and governments globally on the benefits and use cases of Bitcoin. In 2019, he shifted his focus to product development, leading to his current role as CEO of SilverSixpence, where he spearheads the development of innovative blockchain accounting solutions. He also serves as CTO of Bitmach, a leading commercial Bitcoin mining company in South Africa.\r\n\r\nTwitter: @sovereignCarel \r\nNostr: npub1ulwhxph47zu9zfgqautk4q25rkym8d6wyuh50f6kg26zaftc0c7qw9q5v0", "public_name": "Carel de Jager", "guid": "1570b1d8-a96c-5574-9ee4-c5b110b23677", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/WAMQX7/"}, {"code": "AKTCSL", "name": "Carel van Wyk", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/AKTCSL_5ZYKoqj.webp", "biography": "Carel is a Bitcoin devotee, and humble servant of Lord Satoshi. He has dedicated his life to fixing the world by fixing its money. Leader of the money badgers, his mission is to serve the free and to free the enslaved. Carel started Luno, a well known South African Bitcoin exchange, as well as MoneyBadger, a Bitcoin payments provider, wiring up thousands of South African merchants to the Lightning network so you can live your life on the Bitcoin standard.\r\n\r\n\r\nhttps://x.com/MoneyBadgerPay", "public_name": "Carel van Wyk", "guid": "3c643176-4849-5776-af63-9a770574c7a5", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/AKTCSL/"}, {"code": "BPAXNA", "name": "Riccardo Spagni", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/BPAXNA_hdCroRm.webp", "biography": "Riccardo \"fluffypony\" Spagni is a pioneer of privacy-preserving technology and one of the crypto industry's most influential voices on financial privacy rights. A founding member of the Monero Core Team, he served as Lead Maintainer from Monero's inception until 2019, helping build what has become the world's leading privacy-focused cryptocurrency. He is the co-founder of Tari Labs, creator of the Tari protocol - a hybrid, programmable PoW blockchain that launched its mainnet in 2025, and aims to bring strong privacy guarantees to on-chain decentralized applications. A Bitcoin advocate since early 2011, Riccardo invented OpenAlias and co-created Yat, and holds 19 patents in blockchain and decentralized identity. He is widely regarded as a deeply technical thinker with an uncompromising stance on the right to personal privacy.", "public_name": "Riccardo Spagni", "guid": "aeca8e19-9e17-5fa0-8ca5-57d96e99588b", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/BPAXNA/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/3R799G/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/3R799G/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "e16eace7-6c27-5ce2-bd46-22eda9277f7f", "code": "TFPA7L", "id": 88558, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T10:55:00+02:00", "start": "10:55", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-88558-why-you-should-state-proof-yourself", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/TFPA7L/", "title": "Why you should state-proof yourself", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "David Ansara will share insights from a report by the Free Market Foundation launched this week entitled 'State-Proof Money: The Case for Bitcoin Adoption in South Africa'", "description": "In South Africa, persistent statist policies, economic interventionism, and state dysfunction have long eroded personal and economic freedom. The Free Market Foundation (FMF) advocates for state-proofing \u2013 building resilient, voluntary systems outside government control to mitigate hostile policy and state failure. David Ansara will explore how Bitcoin is a practical instrument of state-proofing that separates money from state and empowers citizens.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "79BRHZ", "name": "David Ansara", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/79BRHZ_sLmFMEE.webp", "biography": "David Ansara is the Chief Executive Officer of the Free Market Foundation (FMF), a classical liberal think tank and policy advocacy organisation headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. A well-known public speaker and commentator, David is a strong advocate for individual liberty, free enterprise, and sound money.", "public_name": "David Ansara", "guid": "5bd05ae7-894e-52d0-92d9-cb4cbf789d82", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/79BRHZ/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/TFPA7L/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/TFPA7L/", "attachments": [{"title": "FMF report: 'State-Proof Money: The Case for Bitcoin Adoption in South Africa'", "url": "/media/abcpt26/submissions/TFPA7L/resources/David-Ansara-State_NiuqPQm.pdf", "type": "related"}]}, {"guid": "9c2fd1fd-8c1c-5686-8497-9adef086ec2c", "code": "MPMU9Y", "id": 88220, "logo": "https://pretalx.com/media/abcpt26/submissions/MPMU9Y/ta_logo_color_OxiB8YJ_mpypfDf.webp", "date": "2026-01-30T11:20:00+02:00", "start": "11:20", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-88220-trezor-academy-update", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/MPMU9Y/", "title": "Trezor Academy Update", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Trezor Academy: bitcoin education for the Global Majority. Highlights, challenges, 2026 plans.", "description": "Trezor Academy has been actively contributing to bitcoin education in Africa and Latin America since 2023. What are the program's successes and challenges? What are the plans for 2026?", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "LHQ9ZA", "name": "Josef T\u011btek", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/LHQ9ZA_KFQRAQm.webp", "biography": "Josef is a bitcoiner with a passion for bitcoin education. Josef currently leads the Trezor Academy, a non-profit educational initiative with the goal to bring Bitcoin awareness to places where it is needed the most. Author of Bitcoin: Separation of Money and State.", "public_name": "Josef T\u011btek", "guid": "f42874f3-4f0d-5072-b927-0978f912dbf6", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/LHQ9ZA/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/MPMU9Y/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/MPMU9Y/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "9517f72d-4c44-5b3f-8177-437ff9192b24", "code": "Z37PGL", "id": 88501, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T11:45:00+02:00", "start": "11:45", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-88501-when-states-don-t-fail", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/Z37PGL/", "title": "When states DON'T fail", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "We must develop strategies for thriving when the state fails, but also when the state does not fail - when it deploys malicious power effectively.", "description": "This talk will show how even weak and incompetent states can mount sustained and effective attacks on productive society, explain Sakeliga's strategy to deal with these attacks, look at lessons in this from Bitcoin, and challenge the Bitcoin community to embrace and cultivate alternative centres of authority and power to check the designs of the total state.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "JVEKRL", "name": "Russell Lamberti", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/JVEKRL_sB8X0zD.webp", "biography": "Russell Lamberti is Executive Director and Chief Economist at Sakeliga, an independent, non-profit business organisation in South Africa.\r\n\r\nHe leads economic strategy and policy analysis, advancing the group\u2019s mission to restore economic order at scale amid harmful economic policies and state failure. He also heads Sakeliga\u2019s premium funder relations and contributes to various executive functions.\r\n\r\nLamberti is a UCT School of Economics graduate with over 20 years of experience advising fund managers, professional investors, and corporate boards. He previously held economist and macro-strategy roles at Econometrix, ETM Analytics, and as founder of ETM Macro Advisors.\r\n\r\nHe co-authored When Money Destroys Nations in 2014, a book about Zimbabwe\u2019s hyperinflation and economic collapse.\r\n\r\nX.com: @RussLamberti", "public_name": "Russell Lamberti", "guid": "7ed2d664-e8ab-5f98-8c37-99e9cf59d315", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/JVEKRL/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/Z37PGL/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/Z37PGL/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "99c2f977-f898-5572-8035-347dab774181", "code": "HJLSWZ", "id": 87969, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T12:10:00+02:00", "start": "12:10", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-87969-bitcoin-mining-as-critical-infrastructure", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/HJLSWZ/", "title": "Bitcoin Mining as Critical Infrastructure", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "The session reframes Bitcoin mining not as speculation, but as productive digital infrastructure \u2014 particularly relevant to Southern Africa\u2019s energy challenges and opportunities.\r\n\r\nUsing real-world examples and Braiins\u2019 experience supporting miners globally, the talk will explore how Bitcoin mining can help monetize surplus and renewable energy, support private power generation, stabilize grids, and create skilled jobs \u2014 with specific reference to South Africa, Zambia, and the broader SADC region.", "description": "Southern Africa faces a defining challenge of our time: abundant energy potential constrained by grid instability, underutilized generation, and limited access to global capital. From load-shedding in Zambia, South Africa to surplus hydro and renewables elsewhere in the region, the question is no longer whether energy exists \u2014 but how it can be effectively monetized.\r\n\r\nThis session reframes Bitcoin mining as critical digital infrastructure, rather than speculation. Bitcoin mining operates as a flexible, location-agnostic buyer of energy, capable of monetizing surplus and renewable power, supporting private generation, and converting local electricity into globally traded digital value.\r\n\r\nDrawing on real-world deployments and operational insights from emerging markets, the talk explores how mining can contribute to grid resilience, skilled job creation, and foreign-currency revenue generation across South Africa, Zambia, and the wider Southern African region. The session also addresses the importance of transparency, open systems, and responsible regulation in ensuring mining delivers long-term public benefit.\r\n\r\nAttendees will leave with a practical, grounded understanding of how Bitcoin mining can support Africa\u2019s energy transition while strengthening economic and financial sovereignty.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "PLR8VT", "name": "Dr Laban Mwansa", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/PLR8VT_a2upXiL.webp", "biography": "Dr. Laban Mwansa is Business Development Associate \u2013 Africa Region at Braiins, where he works on advancing Bitcoin adoption, mining infrastructure, and strategic partnerships across emerging markets in Africa. Prior to joining Braiins, he consulted with financial institutions on establishing Project Management Offices (PMOs) and aligning projects and programs with organizational strategy. He is a co-founder of Betaways Innovation Systems, where he led consulting engagements and corporate training in industry best practices, including Agile project management. He previously served as Head of Computer Engineering at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Cape Town and was also a PeopleCert Ambassador for ITIL and PRINCE2. With over a decade of experience across technology, portfolio and program management, and digital transformation, his work focuses on Bitcoin adoption, financial inclusion, and building resilient economic systems across Africa.", "public_name": "Dr Laban Mwansa", "guid": "94cab90c-b567-57bb-b5a7-ca9d81d4a9cb", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/PLR8VT/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/HJLSWZ/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/HJLSWZ/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "3d395be7-910b-5265-9e44-4062f5781317", "code": "WTCVT9", "id": 87831, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T13:10:00+02:00", "start": "13:10", "duration": "00:30", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-87831-artists-bitcoin", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/WTCVT9/", "title": "Artists' & Bitcoin", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Fireside Chat", "language": "en", "abstract": "Artists' Panel", "description": "Artists' Panel", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "BYMXX7", "name": "Nikolai Okin Tjongarero", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/BYMXX7_MOWJnXH.webp", "biography": "OKIN (Nikolai Tjongarero, MBA) is the Founder of OKIN.Ent under which he created the initiatives EasySats & BTC Mining Namibia. \r\n\r\nHe is known as a Published & Spoken Word Poet, Digital Entrepreneur, Bitcoin Builder, Educator, Miner & Node Runner, collectively a Digital Disruptor, who strongly believes in the unique possibilities Bitcoin use-cases can bring to Namibians & our fellow Africans at large. \r\n\r\nHe was named the 1st African Podcaster to be paid in BTC, continent-wide, Top 10 Most Impactful African Bitcoiner (Twice - 10th in 2023 & 8th in 2024) & is the innovator of the SovereignKey, a Bitcoin & FreedomTech \u201cSwiss-Army Knife\u201d that transforms a computer into your own personal, secure & private work station.\r\n\r\nCo-Host for Adopting Bitcoin Cape Town 2025 & was most recently a Speaker at the 1st African Bitcoin Conference Diaspora edition in Boston, USA (2025), he was previously a Speaker at both the African Bitcoin Conference in Nairobi, Kenya (2024), at Adopting Bitcoin Cape Town, South Africa (2024) as well as being named the Keynote Speaker at the launch of Machankura in Nairobi, Kenya (2023).\r\n\r\nHe further hosted the 1st Trezor Academy Namibia Educational Session (2024) & the 1st Bitcoin Only Media Training Event (2024).\r\n\r\nNikolai is committed to hands-on Bitcoin education & building Freedom-Tech solutions for Namibians & the greater African continent.", "public_name": "Nikolai Okin Tjongarero", "guid": "261f54e0-927b-559e-8513-96f5dda6155b", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/BYMXX7/"}, {"code": "BC7NWT", "name": "Melanie Carstens", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/BC7NWT_dmZOvsf.webp", "biography": "Melanie Carstens is a Bitcoin writer, media host, and public speaker exploring how Bitcoin, AI, and open digital systems shape the future of money and culture.  \r\nShe hosts Bitcoin and Beyond and Stacks Pulse, writes HXMXN, and recently spoke at CryptoFest 2025 in Cape Town. \r\nMelanie is a partner curator at Gamma for Bitcoin Ordinals, lead curator of the Leo Art Collective, and a long-standing community steward, serving three times in the Stacks DeGrants funding program. \r\nShe also hosts regular X Spaces that highlight builders, artists, and emerging projects across the Bitcoin and Stacks ecosystems.", "public_name": "Melanie Carstens", "guid": "347ecd5b-26ed-556d-881d-702a362d230f", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/BC7NWT/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/WTCVT9/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/WTCVT9/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "53d07e6d-19fe-5b14-b81b-d8c301a130f1", "code": "8TTL8T", "id": 86968, "logo": "https://pretalx.com/media/abcpt26/submissions/8TTL8T/Minmo-Serve-Community_2glav_HkkYdtW.webp", "date": "2026-01-30T13:45:00+02:00", "start": "13:45", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-86968-minmo-for-bitcoin-adoption-in-communities", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/8TTL8T/", "title": "Minmo for Bitcoin Adoption in Communities", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Every successful adoption story is built on community, trust, education and simple tools. Education for Bitcoin adoption happens when a trusted community leader, bitcoiner or educator talks to a friend, colleague, or family member and gets them to also install a Bitcoin wallet to  make their first Bitcoin transaction. True adoption occurs when that friend independently and consistently starts utilizing Bitcoin, on their own. At Minmo we build tools that empower community leaders, educators and human agents to professionalize their services in providing access to Bitcoin in communities.", "description": "This talk will cover:\r\n\r\n* What Bitcoin Adoption means, and observed patterns of successful Bitcoin Adoption, from our perspective\r\n* How existing wallets, tools and models like Circular Economies impact Bitcoin adoption\r\n* How the new tools we are building at Minmo can accelerate Bitcoin adoption in Africa and beyond", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "LT8G9S", "name": "Nombuyiselo Teresa Murage", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/LT8G9S_nFiIeZG.webp", "biography": "Nombuyiselo Murage is the COO and co-founder of Minmo, a company dedicated to building tools that empower community leaders and human agents to professionalize their services in providing access to Bitcoin.\r\n\r\nA Software Engineer by training, Nombuyiselo possesses extensive experience in diverse domains, including geospatial data analysis, data engineering, and, most recently, the Permissions & Security space at Microsoft.\r\n\r\nHer journey into Bitcoin development was sparked by connections within the BitDevs Nairobi community and a personal commitment to financial freedom. Currently, Nombuyiselo is a key contributor to lightning development at Minmo and is part of the organizing team for the Africa edition of BTC++. She is actively expanding her contributions across other areas in Bitcoin development.", "public_name": "Nombuyiselo Teresa Murage", "guid": "7572be7c-2694-5309-9667-b1524ace965f", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/LT8G9S/"}, {"code": "XABNBY", "name": "Jodom (okjodom)", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/XABNBY_ZwIrNAW.webp", "biography": "Jodom Konuko (okjodom) is the CEO and co-founder of Minmo, a company on a mission to build tools that empower community leaders and human agents to professionalize their services in providing access to Bitcoin in communities.\r\n\r\nIn addition to his roles at Minmo, he is also a founding member of Bitsacco Community, and co-organizer of BitDevs Nairobi community.\r\n\r\nPreviously, he has been a core contributor to the Fedimint Protocol, where he built early integrations between the protocol and Lightning Network.\r\n\r\nJodom is passionate about using technology to empower individuals and communities. Outside of Bitcoin and Open source, you\u2019ll probably find him biking, running, or hiking.", "public_name": "Jodom (okjodom)", "guid": "7bbea26a-0c83-5c97-aa43-ea37db0d69ca", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/XABNBY/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/8TTL8T/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/8TTL8T/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "b9fc23cb-4a94-59c0-85dd-1b25c83465fe", "code": "DLWSLM", "id": 88562, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T14:10:00+02:00", "start": "14:10", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-88562-the-end-of-this-is-fine", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/DLWSLM/", "title": "The End of This is Fine", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "We live in unsettling times. The global order is being reshaped at breakneck speed. Old certainties are being thrown overboard and many cherished and comforting delusions are not surviving contact with hard reality. Where is this journey taking us? And what's the role of Bitcoin in all this?", "description": "The world is currently being forced to shed some comfortable delusions and confront some hard truths. Among the most important is the delusion that talk is as good as action and that if you just wish for something hard enough you will get it \u2013 visualise something and you will manifest it. Or, in government language, legislate for it and it will happen.\r\n\r\nIt turns out that this is not true. The hard edges of the world are reasserting themselves - and Bitcoin could play a central role in the future that is now being shaped.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "R3CFRL", "name": "John Endres", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/R3CFRL_2exdUsc.webp", "biography": "John Endres holds an MBA and a PhD in commerce and economics from a leading German\r\nbusiness school, as well as a Master\u2019s degree in translation studies from the University of the\r\nWitwatersrand. John has extensive work experience in business, policy research and project\r\nmanagement. He is the CEO of the IRR and the director of the Centre for Risk Analysis. The\r\nIRR is a public policy think tank established in 1929 to promote human rights in South Africa.\r\nThe Centre for Risk Analysis was established in 2010 and advises on global and South African\r\npolitical, economic, social, and policy risk. John has authored a book on change management in\r\ncities and presents the CRA\u2019s \u2018Risk Alert\u2019 \u2013 a written and audio note \u2013 every Monday morning at\r\n7am.", "public_name": "John Endres", "guid": "447c5ca3-78a4-5739-9b2e-7b1dd0eb4df9", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/R3CFRL/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/DLWSLM/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/DLWSLM/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "a09dcfd5-4833-5b82-a705-d97828b63b04", "code": "H7J97B", "id": 87622, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T14:35:00+02:00", "start": "14:35", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-87622-the-new-1976-transforming-soweto-s-economy-through-bitcoin-education", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/H7J97B/", "title": "The \"New 1976\": Transforming Soweto\u2019s Economy Through Bitcoin Education", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Soweto, a historic centre of resistance with 1.7 million residents, continues to face severe socio-economic challenges in 2025, including systemic unemployment and financial exclusion. \r\nThis presentation introduces SowetoBTC, a non-profit initiative that leverages Bitcoin education to drive economic sovereignty.\r\nThe session will analyse how Bitcoin financial literacy and practical training empower local youth to access the global digital economy and enable small businesses (SMEs) to bypass traditional banking barriers. By examining current Bitcoin adoption trends within Soweto's informal sectors, this presentation argues that Bitcoin is a modern form of resistance against economic inequality. \r\nAttendees will gain actionable insights into building sustainable circular economies within marginalized communities.", "description": "This session explores the practical application of Bitcoin, in a community historically marginalised from traditional banking systems. We detail the educational framework used by SowetoBTC to deliver essential financial literacy and practical skills training.\r\nKey focus areas include:\r\nEmpowering Youth: Strategies for integrating youth into the global digital economy.\r\nSupporting SMEs: Methods for small businesses to reduce reliance on conventional financial infrastructure.\r\nBuilding Circular Economies: Case studies from Soweto illustrating how local transactions using Bitcoin foster sustainable growth and individual financial sovereignty.\r\nAttendees will leave with a clear understanding of how targeted Bitcoin education can transform systemic hardships into tangible economic opportunities.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "NRYSFV", "name": "Michael Rathebe", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/NRYSFV_KyQjbXZ.webp", "biography": "Founder of SowetoBTC, a non-profit initiative dedicated to providing Bitcoin-only education to youth and businesses in Soweto, South Africa.\r\nA dedicated Bitcoin educator, Trezor Academy local organizer, My First Bitcoin educator, and an active participant in the Federation of Bitcoin Circular Economies.\r\nMichael's work is driven by his conviction that, many socio-economic challenges facing South African communities stem from mismanaged government monetary policies, and that Bitcoin offers a powerful alternative to this broken system.", "public_name": "Michael Rathebe", "guid": "6108d132-4740-5ade-bfdd-6b675a65bb2a", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/NRYSFV/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/H7J97B/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/H7J97B/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "259bf86a-755f-545d-951f-4180a618e4b7", "code": "L787QU", "id": 88552, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T15:00:00+02:00", "start": "15:00", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-88552-consensus-under-attack-when-the-world-forks-and-the-screens-agree", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/L787QU/", "title": "Consensus Under Attack: When the World Forks and the Screens Agree", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Consensus Under Attack: When the World Forks and the Screens Agree\r\nIf media can simulate war, the real battleground is what we collectively finalize as truth.", "description": "Consensus Under Attack: When the World Forks and the Screens Agree\r\nIf media can simulate war, the real battleground is what we collectively finalize as truth.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "CWTRHC", "name": "Beverley Sch\u00e4fer", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/CWTRHC_xWh3sJ1.webp", "biography": "Beverley Sch\u00e4fer is a B2G public affairs consultant, and brand partner in a cutting-edge, frequency-based wearable technology that restores health at a cellular level without pharmaceuticals.\r\nThrough her consultancy Strat Diplomacy Advisors, her work as a regenerative health brand partner, and her sharp-shooting podcast Sovereign Systems for a Changing World, as a voice for those who feel there\u2019s more\u2014more to health, more to power, more to this reality.\r\nBeverley is the Hon Consul for Mexico  and serves on the Advisory Boards of CAASA and the South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA), and speaks widely on the future of our sovereignty, our wellness, and the future of leadership.\r\n\u201cIn a world where disruption is permanent, I help people expand their perception, seeing not only what\u2019s happening, but the truth that needs to emerge.\u201d\r\n \u2014 Beverley Sch\u00e4fer", "public_name": "Beverley Sch\u00e4fer", "guid": "0e29a8e5-38aa-5b01-acad-4ff5f7611c23", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/CWTRHC/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/L787QU/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/L787QU/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "8c6fa515-db62-5a08-8506-d0dd61f54eb7", "code": "DVSN9J", "id": 84956, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T15:25:00+02:00", "start": "15:25", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-84956-bitcoin-accounting-systems-enabling-unit-of-account-adoption", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/DVSN9J/", "title": "Bitcoin Accounting Systems\u2014Enabling Unit of Account Adoption", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "As bitcoin adoption accelerates, accounting for payments is the next hurdle for serious builders and users. Most early adopters rely on spreadsheets for tracking and reporting which is time consuming, and limits their ability to generate proper financial reporting. I share real-world lessons of circular economies who have benefited in fundamental ways as they have adopted bitcoin accounting, integrated with their payment layers to really use and see bitcoin as a unit of account.", "description": "As bitcoin adoption accelerates, accounting for payments is the next hurdle for serious builders and users. Most early adopters rely on spreadsheets for tracking and reporting which is time consuming, and limits their ability to generate proper financial reporting. I share real-world lessons of circular economies who have benefited in fundamental ways as they have adopted bitcoin accounting, integrated with their payment layers to really use and see bitcoin as a unit of account.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "3PUX9W", "name": "Roark Janis", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/3PUX9W_7DIxNT3.webp", "biography": "Roark found bitcoin at block 715895 and never looked back. He is involved in supporting and leading many projects including https://bitbooks.com/ using his capital, financial and software experience. He and his partners have a goal in 2026 to donate BitBooks to 1,000 local project organizers and companies accepting bitcoin in circular economies.", "public_name": "Roark Janis", "guid": "715d5053-7c2c-534e-9fc6-d60b4c11d1f0", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/3PUX9W/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/DVSN9J/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/DVSN9J/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "10fb215e-4bbc-5a13-801f-637740e80342", "code": "89TZB3", "id": 88175, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T15:50:00+02:00", "start": "15:50", "duration": "00:30", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-88175-beyond-the-bull-run", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/89TZB3/", "title": "Beyond the Bull Run", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Panel", "language": "en", "abstract": "We were told 2025 would be the year of the 'Mega-Moon,' but the charts stayed stubbornly horizontal. Why was that 'failure' Bitcoin\u2019s greatest success? We\u2019re moving beyond the bull run to look at the real-world plumbing being built right now.\"", "description": "Tech \u2013 In the bear market, we build.\r\nPrice was sideways while L2 development and transaction volume went vertical. A solution to miner centralisation is in play.\r\n\r\nFreedom Money \u2013 You Can\u2019t Stop Us\r\nFocus on circular economies and the Nostr Summer explosion in Africa\r\n\r\nInstitutions \u2013 The Silent Takeover\r\nDiscuss SA banking entering the bitcoin space and approval of regulatory licenses.\r\n\r\nGeopolitics \u2013 I don\u2019t think we\u2019re in Kansas anymore, Toto.\r\nFragmenting alliances \u2013 Does Bitcoin fix this?\r\n\r\n2026\u20132027 Outlook\r\nLooking ahead to the end of the \"4-year cycle\" theory.\r\n\r\n\"If 2025 taught us anything, it\u2019s that the price is a distraction from the progress. The best time to build is now.\"", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "PR3ZJA", "name": "Ricki Allardice", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/PR3ZJA_WQutlRD.webp", "biography": "Ricki Allardice, is a scientist, entrepreneur and Bitcoin evangelist from Cape Town, South Africa. He has a diverse professional history, including the biological sciences where he conducted research and development on soil and plant health products; asset and wealth management and the fin-tech startup space. \r\n\r\nFor the past 4 years he has been focussed on Bitcoin only startups, primarily building products and solutions which make self custody simpler and more attainable for the average user.\r\n\r\nRicki is the CEO and co-founder of Orange, a Lightning services company which connects african currencies to the Lightning network to facilitate cross border payments at the speed of light. \r\n\r\nHe also runs his own consulting service called Bitcoin Only, which assists individuals, businesses and trusts in their respective Bitcoin strategies, distributes sovereignty promoting hardware and Bitcoin key management for the long term.\r\n\r\nTwitter: @BitcoinOnlyZA\r\nNostr: npub1aj9k43cmuqdh23un8f25nzdudpep9vaeumte5v7ran7f697y7dgswjw6h3\r\nWebsite: www.bitcoinonly.io", "public_name": "Ricki Allardice", "guid": "42a955ef-28fa-570c-a813-9125896f8cf8", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/PR3ZJA/"}, {"code": "YAFXMF", "name": "Hermann Buhr Vivier", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/YAFXMF_yWtJwDe.webp", "biography": "Hermann Buhr Vivier is the founder of Bitcoin Ekasi, est. 2021. Bitcoin Ekasi is a Bitcoin circular economy project based in Mossel Bay, South Africa. The project is inspired by Bitcoin Beach (El Salvador) and utilizes The Surfer Kids, a social development & youth empowerment non-profit that Hermann co-founded in 2010, as a community platform. \r\n\r\nHermann\u2019s involvement with Bitcoin dates back to late 2013 when he stumbled across an early print copy of Bitcoin Magazine.\r\n\r\nLater, in 2015, an international tourism business he co-owns with his wife was separated from its client base due to financial sanctions. Bitcoin became a way to receive payments, bypassing sanctions and saving their business. This experience triggered a deep interest in Bitcoin as a solution to immediate problems, related specifically to its use as an uncensorable medium of exchange.", "public_name": "Hermann Buhr Vivier", "guid": "91c847bf-f525-5522-8524-3fe05c301034", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/YAFXMF/"}, {"code": "BYMXX7", "name": "Nikolai Okin Tjongarero", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/BYMXX7_MOWJnXH.webp", "biography": "OKIN (Nikolai Tjongarero, MBA) is the Founder of OKIN.Ent under which he created the initiatives EasySats & BTC Mining Namibia. \r\n\r\nHe is known as a Published & Spoken Word Poet, Digital Entrepreneur, Bitcoin Builder, Educator, Miner & Node Runner, collectively a Digital Disruptor, who strongly believes in the unique possibilities Bitcoin use-cases can bring to Namibians & our fellow Africans at large. \r\n\r\nHe was named the 1st African Podcaster to be paid in BTC, continent-wide, Top 10 Most Impactful African Bitcoiner (Twice - 10th in 2023 & 8th in 2024) & is the innovator of the SovereignKey, a Bitcoin & FreedomTech \u201cSwiss-Army Knife\u201d that transforms a computer into your own personal, secure & private work station.\r\n\r\nCo-Host for Adopting Bitcoin Cape Town 2025 & was most recently a Speaker at the 1st African Bitcoin Conference Diaspora edition in Boston, USA (2025), he was previously a Speaker at both the African Bitcoin Conference in Nairobi, Kenya (2024), at Adopting Bitcoin Cape Town, South Africa (2024) as well as being named the Keynote Speaker at the launch of Machankura in Nairobi, Kenya (2023).\r\n\r\nHe further hosted the 1st Trezor Academy Namibia Educational Session (2024) & the 1st Bitcoin Only Media Training Event (2024).\r\n\r\nNikolai is committed to hands-on Bitcoin education & building Freedom-Tech solutions for Namibians & the greater African continent.", "public_name": "Nikolai Okin Tjongarero", "guid": "261f54e0-927b-559e-8513-96f5dda6155b", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/BYMXX7/"}, {"code": "PSAPUR", "name": "Gavin Green", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/PSAPUR_JNrmB95.webp", "biography": "Gavin Green is just a pleb who discovered Bitcoin in late 2021, and found the answers to questions that was bugging him for years. \r\n\r\nA simple business owner his whole life. Father and husband. \r\n\r\nMusic, Art, Reading, Sport & Tech - those things put a smile on his face. \r\n\r\nHe currently organises a local bitcoin meetup and run a podcast called The Straight, No Chaser show.\r\n\r\nLinks:\r\nX: https://x.com/gavingre\r\nNostr: primal.net/GavinBGreen", "public_name": "Gavin Green", "guid": "7744c0ff-1eb4-5e8f-9e53-20d691289028", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/PSAPUR/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/89TZB3/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/89TZB3/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "b02b65cb-a51a-5ff5-92aa-a9156344d5aa", "code": "SWEVNF", "id": 78517, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T16:25:00+02:00", "start": "16:25", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-78517-the-world-is-still-completely-unprepared-for-bitcoin", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/SWEVNF/", "title": "The world is still completely unprepared for Bitcoin", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "It\u2019s been 15 years since Bitcoin came in to existence, but the world is still completely unprepared for it.  That includes Bitcoiners.", "description": "Abstractions, analogies, and shorthand descriptions around Bitcoin mean not only that we're often teaching people the wrong things about Bitcoin, but in many cases we're contributing towards actively building a world that isn't ready for it.  From contradictions in terminology through to regulatory nightmares, I'll dive in to how and why we're unprepared, and what we can do to change that.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "T8J8BP", "name": "Benjamin de Waal", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/T8J8BP_diR5ByE.webp", "biography": "Anarchist since the 1990s; Bitcoiner since 2010; currently CTO of Musqet Limited, focused on bringing Bitcoin as a medium of exchange to the masses.", "public_name": "Benjamin de Waal", "guid": "a5a97ec8-fe0e-5b68-b029-24de33f131bf", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/T8J8BP/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/SWEVNF/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/SWEVNF/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "24e92cc2-1ffb-5125-a819-0df8e9251c45", "code": "EWQXRR", "id": 89817, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T16:50:00+02:00", "start": "16:50", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-89817-orange", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/EWQXRR/", "title": "Orange", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Use Orange Announcement.", "description": "Use Orange Announcement.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "PR3ZJA", "name": "Ricki Allardice", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/PR3ZJA_WQutlRD.webp", "biography": "Ricki Allardice, is a scientist, entrepreneur and Bitcoin evangelist from Cape Town, South Africa. He has a diverse professional history, including the biological sciences where he conducted research and development on soil and plant health products; asset and wealth management and the fin-tech startup space. \r\n\r\nFor the past 4 years he has been focussed on Bitcoin only startups, primarily building products and solutions which make self custody simpler and more attainable for the average user.\r\n\r\nRicki is the CEO and co-founder of Orange, a Lightning services company which connects african currencies to the Lightning network to facilitate cross border payments at the speed of light. \r\n\r\nHe also runs his own consulting service called Bitcoin Only, which assists individuals, businesses and trusts in their respective Bitcoin strategies, distributes sovereignty promoting hardware and Bitcoin key management for the long term.\r\n\r\nTwitter: @BitcoinOnlyZA\r\nNostr: npub1aj9k43cmuqdh23un8f25nzdudpep9vaeumte5v7ran7f697y7dgswjw6h3\r\nWebsite: www.bitcoinonly.io", "public_name": "Ricki Allardice", "guid": "42a955ef-28fa-570c-a813-9125896f8cf8", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/PR3ZJA/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/EWQXRR/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/EWQXRR/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "38c9bd94-32af-52c9-a0c5-664483c7fc55", "code": "BGDUJA", "id": 89446, "logo": "https://pretalx.com/media/abcpt26/submissions/BGDUJA/Logo1b_OQvygEM_4ntsGLU_cZmrvhx.webp", "date": "2026-01-30T17:15:00+02:00", "start": "17:15", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-89446-bitcoin-data-privacy-and-the-real-world", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/BGDUJA/", "title": "Bitcoin Data, Privacy, and the Real World", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Bitcoin is a public ledger. That transparency enables self-custody and auditability, but it also creates real privacy pitfalls once you reuse addresses, merge coins, or interact with custodians.\r\n\r\nIn this talk I\u2019ll explain what \u201cblockchain analytics\u201d can and cannot infer from on-chain data, why common heuristics produce false positives, and what practical habits reduce unnecessary data leakage. I\u2019ll also explain how Sixpence structures full-node data into accounting-grade reporting.\r\n\r\nGoal: help Bitcoiners protect themselves, and help businesses/regulators avoid decisions based on bad data.", "description": "Sixpence builds infrastructure that turns raw blockchain data into structured, queryable records for real-world use cases: audits, proof-of-reserves style checks, incident response after theft/scams, and financial reporting.\r\n\r\nBecause this conference is full of people who care deeply about privacy, I\u2019ll be direct about trade-offs:\r\n\r\n\u2022 What on-chain data actually reveals (and what it doesn\u2019t)\r\n\u2022 Why clustering and change-detection are probabilistic, and where they fail\r\n\u2022 Where \u201cidentity attribution\u201d really comes from (usually off-chain)\r\n\u2022 How poor analytics leads to poor policy and collateral damage\r\n\r\nI\u2019ll then share practical, non-evasion privacy hygiene for Bitcoin users (data minimisation, wallet practices, avoiding common linkage mistakes). \r\n\r\nIf you\u2019re a Bitcoiner: you\u2019ll leave with a clearer threat model. If you\u2019re building with Bitcoin: you\u2019ll see what \u201caccounting-grade\u201d transaction data looks like and why it matters.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "WAMQX7", "name": "Carel de Jager", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/WAMQX7_EZ8X22E.webp", "biography": "Carel de Jager is an engineer with a passion for Bitcoin, Cryptography, and Energy. Since 2016, he has trained developers, corporates, and governments globally on the benefits and use cases of Bitcoin. In 2019, he shifted his focus to product development, leading to his current role as CEO of SilverSixpence, where he spearheads the development of innovative blockchain accounting solutions. He also serves as CTO of Bitmach, a leading commercial Bitcoin mining company in South Africa.\r\n\r\nTwitter: @sovereignCarel \r\nNostr: npub1ulwhxph47zu9zfgqautk4q25rkym8d6wyuh50f6kg26zaftc0c7qw9q5v0", "public_name": "Carel de Jager", "guid": "1570b1d8-a96c-5574-9ee4-c5b110b23677", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/WAMQX7/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/BGDUJA/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/BGDUJA/", "attachments": []}], "Blink": [{"guid": "d78b5c82-c528-59db-a4f6-069a3bcc0788", "code": "JJ3XC9", "id": 85925, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T10:50:00+02:00", "start": "10:50", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Blink", "slug": "abcpt26-85925-bitcoin-the-f-word", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/JJ3XC9/", "title": "Bitcoin & the F* word", "subtitle": "", "track": "Blink Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "**Finance** is a word many Bitcoiners instinctively avoid. Yet personal finance \u2014 and finance in general \u2014 shapes our daily lives, decisions, our stress levels, and our long-term freedom. In this talk, I aim to redeem the word \u201cfinance\u201d and show why Bitcoin education is incomplete without it. We\u2019ll start with the basics that every Bitcoiner, beginner or advanced, should understand: budgeting, saving, debt management, estate planning and building financial resilience. Then we zoom out to the macro picture, where a historic shift is underway. Wall Street is adopting Bitcoin \u2014 whether us Bitcoiners like it or not, and whether Wall Street likes it or not. From ETFs to corporate treasuries, Bitcoin is moving from the edges of finance into its center. By connecting personal financial literacy with global macro trends, this talk equips educators and community leaders to teach Bitcoin more holistically and empower people not just to hold bitcoin, but to build stable financial lives around it.", "description": "Bitcoiners often talk about self-custody, decentralization, and monetary freedom \u2014 but rarely about \u201c**finance**,\u201d a word that feels too fiat, too traditional, or too tied to systems Bitcoin seeks to replace. Yet the reality is simple: personal finance decisions influence how much Bitcoin people can save, how long they can hold it, and whether they panic-sell when life gets stressful. At the same time, global finance is undergoing a dramatic transformation as Wall Street institutions gradually (then suddenly) adopt Bitcoin.\r\n\r\nThis session bridges these two worlds.\r\n\r\nFirst, we explore core personal finance principles that every Bitcoin educator should integrate into their teaching:\r\n\r\n* building emergency reserves\r\n\r\n* becoming debt-free in an inflationary world that worships Keynes\r\n\r\n* understanding low time preference basic concepts\r\n\r\n* mitigating taxation\r\n\r\n* retiring on BTC\r\n\r\n* estate planning for true generational BTC wealth \r\n\r\nNext, we zoom out to the macro landscape, where Bitcoin is increasingly being absorbed into the financial system through ETFs, corporate balance sheets, and institutional products. We'll discuss how Bitcoin as a trojan horse is now inside the walls of Wall Street and how it will slowly change the debt ridden world we live in, into a more sustainable and abundant world backed by BTC.\r\n\r\nAttendees will leave with a framework for how to become even more financially sovereign and how to teach this discipline to others. They will also get a current run down of Bitcoin adoption on Wall Street and what we can expect if trends continue to accelerate.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "7YAK98", "name": "Josue (Josh) Vazquez", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/7YAK98_HjvCHrH.webp", "biography": "Ola Bitcoin Founder - olabitcoin.org\r\n\r\nI was born and raised in Mexico and moved to the USA to study Computer Science. There, I met my wife, a proud Motswana who always dreamed of returning home.\r\n\r\nI went on to complete my Master\u2019s in Finance while working full time After over a decade as a Financial and Business Analyst working in corporate America, we moved to Botswana. We fell in love with this beautiful country and are grateful to raise our boys here.\r\n\r\nMy journey into Bitcoin began in 2017, and since then, I have never looked back. Bitcoin has given me the opportunity to become a digital nomad, allowing me to spend more time with my family. For that, I will always be eternally grateful to Satoshi Nakamoto. Through Ola Bitcoin, I am passionate about promoting free Bitcoin education and adoption, helping others discover the transformative potential and freedom of this revolutionary technology.\r\n\r\nIt is my firm belief that just as my individual sovereignty has increased since holding Bitcoin in self-custody, holding Bitcoin (BTC) as a corporation also increases sovereignty, as seen with MicroStrategy (MSTR)  in the USA. On a nation-state level, this principle is exemplified by El Salvador. I dream of a day when countries adopt Bitcoin as a reserve currency and use Bitcoin for cross-border payments to increase trade and commerce.\r\n\r\nTwitter/X*   https://x.com/JoshVazzzzz", "public_name": "Josue (Josh) Vazquez", "guid": "e0626788-5e81-58cb-9568-bf39c63e9e62", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/7YAK98/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/JJ3XC9/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/JJ3XC9/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "b47ffd7f-660a-5363-b910-b773f3322fbe", "code": "CWTFR3", "id": 88854, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T11:15:00+02:00", "start": "11:15", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Blink", "slug": "abcpt26-88854-simplifying-bitcoin-onboarding-for-the-next-billion", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/CWTFR3/", "title": "Simplifying Bitcoin Onboarding for the Next Billion", "subtitle": "", "track": "Blink Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Bitcoin adoption faces a critical bottleneck: the confusing first encounter most newcomers have with our ecosystem. Too often, people's introduction to Bitcoin comes through trading platforms that present it as speculative investment rather than revolutionary money. This talk explores the typical newbie journey\u2014from initial skepticism about \"Bitcoin as a scam\" to the overwhelming complexity of existing platforms\u2014and presents actionable strategies for creating frictionless onboarding experiences.\r\nDrawing from real-world experience building user-centric Bitcoin infrastructure, The session covers practical approaches to orange-pilling skeptical audiences, designing intuitive experiences, and building platforms that connect people directly to Bitcoin without unnecessary complexity. Through lessons learned from Bitika's approach to simplified Bitcoin access, attendees will gain concrete strategies for improving adoption in their communities and projects.", "description": "Most people's first Bitcoin encounter happens through the wrong door\u2014trading platforms that frame it as speculation, get-rich-quick schemes, or sensationalized scam warnings. This broken first impression creates lasting barriers to adoption. This talk addresses how we can fix Bitcoin onboarding by understanding the newbie journey and implementing practical solutions.\r\nThe problem is systemic\u2014traditional platforms prioritize trading over education, overwhelming newcomers with unnecessary complexity when they simply want access to better money.\r\nThe solution requires reimagining how we introduce Bitcoin. Key principles include simplicity first, education over speculation, user-centric design that meets people where they are, and eliminating friction at every step. I'll share specific strategies for orange-pilling skeptical audiences, including how to address \"Bitcoin is a scam\" objections with empathy and clear value propositions focused on Bitcoin's monetary properties rather than price speculation.\r\nDrawing from Bitika's real-world approach, I'll demonstrate how these principles translate into practice through intuitive interface design, progressive educational pathways, trust-building through transparency, and measuring success by actual adoption rather than trading volume. Attendees will learn practical frameworks for improving their own Bitcoin products, education initiatives, and community building efforts.\r\nThis matters urgently as Bitcoin enters its next adoption phase. We have one chance to make the right first impression with each newcomer. By prioritizing clarity over complexity and understanding over hype, we can accelerate Bitcoin's path to becoming global money and empower the next billion users.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "JTABLP", "name": "Fidel Otieno", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/JTABLP_OU9YnC9.webp", "biography": "Fidel Otieno is the Founder of Bitika, a Bitcoin platform that makes it simple for the everyday Kenyan to buy bitcoin via M-Pesa in just 3 direct steps. A software engineer by training and a passionate Bitcoiner at heart, Fidel is dedicated to building tools that expand access to Bitcoin as a fair and open monetary network.\r\n\r\nDriven by the belief that Bitcoin should be for everyone\u2014not just the tech-savvy\u2014he focuses on breaking down barriers to adoption through intuitive design and community engagement. Fidel is also an active advocate who enjoys \u201corange pilling\u201d and sharing with newcomers the possibilities that Bitcoin unlocks for financial freedom and inclusion.\r\n\r\nhttps://x.com/Fideltodayy", "public_name": "Fidel Otieno", "guid": "d081061b-b10c-5129-b139-ad006e69011b", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/JTABLP/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/CWTFR3/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/CWTFR3/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "aa5eebff-944e-56df-9a42-8ea4933d32c5", "code": "7AMHJP", "id": 88568, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T11:40:00+02:00", "start": "11:40", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Blink", "slug": "abcpt26-88568-the-invisible-rail-why-lightning-is-winning-the-african-settlement-race", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/7AMHJP/", "title": "The Invisible Rail: Why Lightning is Winning the African Settlement Race", "subtitle": "", "track": "Blink Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Volatility is a holding risk, not a settlement risk. Mavapay\u2019s talk covers the shift from speculative Bitcoin to functional Bitcoin infrastructure.", "description": "For years, volatility was the primary argument against Bitcoin in cross-border trade. Today, the narrative has shifted. Join Mavapay as we demonstrate how the Lightning Network has become the premier interoperable layer for instant settlement between South Africa and Nigeria. Learn how we are bypassing fragmented stablecoin chains and high-fee legacy systems to build Africa\u2019s neutral, real-time financial rail.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "XTR78G", "name": "Theophilus Isah", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/XTR78G_97gIHcS.webp", "biography": "Theophilus Isah is the CEO and Co-founder of Mavapay, a Bitcoin company focused on providing payment infrastructure starting with Africa, with global potential. Theo is a Btrust alumnus and is deeply invested in technical Bitcoin education for the Global South. He is also actively involved in building free Bitcoin open-source tools and projects that foster Bitcoin adoption.\r\n\r\nhttps://x.com/Extheo", "public_name": "Theophilus Isah", "guid": "444b6aa6-1c28-5059-aaad-10f5ccc72a16", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/XTR78G/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/7AMHJP/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/7AMHJP/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "f082da4a-b9e9-5868-a3b2-2e429545e6f8", "code": "RBDHYW", "id": 85898, "logo": "https://pretalx.com/media/abcpt26/submissions/RBDHYW/DSC_3735-300x231_T5UVADo_uS8o9pp.webp", "date": "2026-01-30T12:05:00+02:00", "start": "12:05", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Blink", "slug": "abcpt26-85898-proof-of-motherhood-the-ultimate-low-time-preference", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/RBDHYW/", "title": "Proof of Motherhood: The Ultimate Low Time Preference", "subtitle": "", "track": "Blink Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Meet Eve. 22 months ago, she walked into our program as a participating mother, looking for support for her newborn. Today, she runs the show. This isn't a tech talk; it's a story about the ultimate low time preference: raising a child. Eve shares how we combine Bitcoin education with essential life skills\u2014from infant nutrition to budgeting\u2014to help mothers retain value in their work and build a future for the next generation.", "description": "Eighteen months ago, Eve joined the Bitcoin Babies Foundation as a new mother looking for guidance. She participated in our program, learning everything from infant nutrition to financial basics. But her journey didn't end there; it was just the beginning.\r\n\r\nIn this session, Eve shares how she grew from a participant into a key team member, eventually becoming our Program Manager. She now holds full responsibility for the programs we run. She manages the year planning, invites and coordinates guest speakers, and actively composes the curriculum to ensure the next group of mothers gets the best possible start.\r\n\r\nEve represents exactly what we stand for: the ability to do what you are good at and retain the value of that work. She will discuss how taking these steps has allowed her to upgrade her life and, most importantly, provide a better future for her child. Her story is not an advertisement; it is a practical example of how individual growth and responsibility create real freedom.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "PHBPRL", "name": "Everlyn Macharia", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/PHBPRL_EOsTROZ.webp", "biography": "Eve joined the Bitcoin Babies ecosystem as a participating mother in our initial cohort. Now, she is Program Manager at Bitcoin Babies, responsible for curating the curriculum, coordinating guest speakers, and managing daily operations.", "public_name": "Everlyn Macharia", "guid": "1158cf34-783c-52d8-aa66-a582bd5164cf", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/PHBPRL/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/RBDHYW/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/RBDHYW/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "4f093643-1fdb-5ba3-9e27-d38cea86ad9f", "code": "EDR7CR", "id": 78516, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T13:10:00+02:00", "start": "13:10", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Blink", "slug": "abcpt26-78516-practical-merchant-adoption-a-global-perspective", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/EDR7CR/", "title": "Practical Merchant Adoption - a global perspective", "subtitle": "", "track": "Blink Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Examining the differences in what \"merchant adoption\" means around the world.", "description": "In Cape Town, San Salvador, Prague, London, New York, and all over the world there are merchants that have \"adopted Bitcoin\".  But what does that mean?\r\nWhen we say that a merchant has adopted Bitcoin, it can mean very different things in different places.  Here I'll dive in to different perspectives on Bitcoin adoption, what it means to different people, and what we can learn from these different viewpoints.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "T8J8BP", "name": "Benjamin de Waal", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/T8J8BP_diR5ByE.webp", "biography": "Anarchist since the 1990s; Bitcoiner since 2010; currently CTO of Musqet Limited, focused on bringing Bitcoin as a medium of exchange to the masses.", "public_name": "Benjamin de Waal", "guid": "a5a97ec8-fe0e-5b68-b029-24de33f131bf", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/T8J8BP/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/EDR7CR/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/EDR7CR/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "78d1baa0-faa2-51ba-9923-d61cbcee49a5", "code": "J3BHLL", "id": 88734, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T14:00:00+02:00", "start": "14:00", "duration": "00:35", "room": "Blink", "slug": "abcpt26-88734-bitcoin-self-custody-fireside", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/J3BHLL/", "title": "Bitcoin Self Custody Fireside", "subtitle": "", "track": "Blink Stage", "type": "Fireside Chat", "language": "en", "abstract": "Bitcoin Self Custody Fireside", "description": "Bitcoin Self Custody Fireside", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "SENMHM", "name": "Craig Raw", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/SENMHM_Q8N9w8j.webp", "biography": "Craig is the sole developer of Sparrow Wallet, a Bitcoin only desktop wallet with a focus on security, privacy and usability. His work aims to provide users with a powerful interface that provides full control and transparency over their funds, while being simple enough for beginners to start and grow their understanding over time.", "public_name": "Craig Raw", "guid": "051d2e66-e801-5ebe-9554-ffbaca70f825", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/SENMHM/"}, {"code": "W9VECK", "name": "Cole Tuckett", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/W9VECK_7GrcWWM.webp", "biography": "Cole is a Bitcoin Educator who helps people secure their bitcoin using the best hardware, tools, and practices.\r\n\r\nhttps://x.com/ColeTU\r\n\r\n\r\nCole is a Bitcoin Security expert who helps people secure bitcoin for the long term", "public_name": "Cole Tuckett", "guid": "8200827f-4744-5418-b558-9e37510b1456", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/W9VECK/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/J3BHLL/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/J3BHLL/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "631a9f20-4f76-552c-b968-9f6e1f254bdb", "code": "QLRRRK", "id": 88846, "logo": "https://pretalx.com/media/abcpt26/submissions/QLRRRK/Screenshot_2026-01-28_14564_s1tVNUb.webp", "date": "2026-01-30T14:40:00+02:00", "start": "14:40", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Blink", "slug": "abcpt26-88846-turning-stranded-power-into-extra-revenue", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/QLRRRK/", "title": "Turning Stranded Power into Extra Revenue", "subtitle": "", "track": "Blink Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Turning Stranded Power into Extra Revenue: Report of a Proof of Concept on a South African Farm", "description": "Turning Stranded Power into Extra Revenue: Report of a Proof of Concept on a South African Farm", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": true, "persons": [{"code": "8WTRMC", "name": "Jesse Pielke", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/8WTRMC_XjWTCFq.webp", "biography": "Jesse is an energy economist with hands-on experience in power systems, having worked with a small off-grid utility company in Mali, West Africa. This role gave him practical insight into energy generation, infrastructure constraints, and the economic realities of remote power markets. He later transitioned into the Bitcoin mining industry, first as an independent consultant and, in August 2023, as the founder of HashrateUp.\r\n\r\nThrough HashrateUp, Jesse advises clients on energy procurement, hosting solutions, ASIC sourcing, and strategic partnerships. He works with both retail and institutional participants to help them navigate the technical and financial complexities of Bitcoin mining. Jesse also runs a growing YouTube channel focused on interviewing industry experts and creating short, practical content that explains the fundamentals of Bitcoin mining in a simple and accessible way.\r\n\r\nA core focus of HashrateUp is helping everyday Bitcoin holders understand how small-scale mining can be practical and economically sensible when approached correctly. To make access to hardware easier, Jesse launched MinerExchange.co.za, an online platform that enables individuals and businesses to purchase ASIC miners at competitive prices.\r\n\r\nJesse is a strong advocate for the expansion of Bitcoin mining across Africa, both on-grid and off-grid, and believes mining can play a meaningful role in energy monetisation, infrastructure development, and the global decentralisation of the Bitcoin network.\r\n\r\nx.com/hashrateup\r\nx.com/jesse_hodl\r\nwww.hashrateup.com\r\nwww.minerexchange.co.za\r\nhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-pielke/", "public_name": "Jesse Pielke", "guid": "d290ab49-3ca7-545b-ba49-bcea38d0223a", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/8WTRMC/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/QLRRRK/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/QLRRRK/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "bc12b0bd-7a17-50b3-b9a3-d6ab196bf911", "code": "7ELVKV", "id": 87230, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T15:05:00+02:00", "start": "15:05", "duration": "00:15", "room": "Blink", "slug": "abcpt26-87230-bitcoin-sisonke", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/7ELVKV/", "title": "Bitcoin Sisonke", "subtitle": "", "track": "Blink Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Bitcoin Sisonke(we're together in Isizulu) is pioneering a grassroot bitcoin circular economy through innovative model that combines education, gamification and real world utility, we gonna share a our journey of creating a closed loop bitcoin ecosystem where community members ear Satoshis through educational courses and meet up attendance and spend it at local merchants.", "description": "Bitcoin Sisonke is project that started early 2025 that takes bottom up approach rooted in empowerment and practical economic utility. Operating in a South African township where traditional financial systems often fail, we've effectively built a multi layered adoption strategy that addresses the full cycle of Bitcoin adoption: awereness, education, acquisition, spending and saving", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "RN73JY", "name": "Retshepile", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/RN73JY_VrpCukQ.webp", "biography": "Retshepile a Bitcoin social entrepreneur from the West Side of Johannesburg.\r\nHe is a passionate Bitcoin advocate with a deep commitment to community building. \r\nThrough education, dignity, and economic self-determination, he works tirelessly to empower communities \u2014 one Satoshi at a time.\r\n\r\nhttps://x.com/sisonkeBTC", "public_name": "Retshepile", "guid": "ceec2c90-c975-5450-a855-91116ffce8d0", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/RN73JY/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/7ELVKV/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/7ELVKV/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "6d372550-45f6-5b82-a78a-ffd2892d9528", "code": "TVXZHJ", "id": 85598, "logo": "https://pretalx.com/media/abcpt26/submissions/TVXZHJ/Where_to_spend_Bitcoin_and__aCjlpWX.webp", "date": "2026-01-30T15:25:00+02:00", "start": "15:25", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Blink", "slug": "abcpt26-85598-what-i-learned-spending-bitcoin-in-south-africa", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/TVXZHJ/", "title": "What I learned spending Bitcoin in South Africa", "subtitle": "", "track": "Blink Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "This talk shares the key lessons I\u2019ve learned from actively spending Bitcoin across South Africa after launching BitcoinFriendlySA, a platform that helps people spend and accept Bitcoin with confidence. By documenting merchants, writing Bitcoin spending guides, meeting industry players like MoneyBadger, and using Bitcoin myself, I shifted from seeing it mainly as digital gold to understanding it also as real money for everyday spending and saving. \r\n\r\nAfter briefly covering how Bitcoin payments work in South Africa, the talk explores what actually happens at the till: why Bitcoin spending is still early, how invisible QR-code payments slow adoption, and why many Bitcoiners hesitate to spend due to volatility concerns, HODL culture, and tax friction. The talk concludes with practical ideas for advancing adoption.", "description": "I launched BitcoinFriendlySA in May 2025 to map where South Africans can spend Bitcoin and to build a content platform that helps people learn how to spend and accept Bitcoin with confidence.\r\n\r\nIn the process of doing that work \u2014 researching,  documenting the merchants, writing guides on everything from how businesses can accept Bitcoin to how customers can spend it, meeting industry players like MoneyBadger, spending Bitcoin myself using tools like Luno Pay and Lightning wallets like Blink, connecting with many like-minded individuals and speaking to many people on the ground \u2014 I went through a major shift:  from seeing Bitcoin mainly as digital gold to understanding it as both digital gold and real money people can use for everyday spending and saving.\r\n\r\nThis talk briefly covers the Bitcoin payment landscape in SA and how to pay with BTC before sharing the key lessons I've learned along the way, including:\r\n\r\n1. Bitcoin is an SoV and MoV, and that means spending and saving can co-exist\r\n2. At the till, Bitcoin is still early, but every successful payment is a moment for education\r\n3. Invisible Bitcoin payments don't drive adoption: In SA, Bitcoin payments are often invisible because people can pay by scanning a QR code without mentioning \"Bitcoin\". \r\n4. People are reluctant to spend Bitcoin, and we discuss why, covering topics like HODL culture, short-term volatility concerns, and tax implications.\r\n\r\nIt concludes with ideas for driving adoption forward. This is not a technical talk but a grounded account of my experience: what Bitcoin adoption really looks like after building BitcoinFriendlySA, writing content, speaking to people, and simply learning by doing.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "RMYXQK", "name": "Nick Darlington", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/RMYXQK_MxvKCUr.webp", "biography": "Founder of BitcoinFriendlySA", "public_name": "Nick Darlington", "guid": "91267f7b-7c50-5dda-882e-c827cc7a0e1d", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/RMYXQK/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/TVXZHJ/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/TVXZHJ/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "104086d1-2be5-5e50-988a-732b9330ab22", "code": "3AWLT3", "id": 82286, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T15:50:00+02:00", "start": "15:50", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Blink", "slug": "abcpt26-82286-the-importance-of-running-a-bitcoin-node", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/3AWLT3/", "title": "The importance of running a Bitcoin node", "subtitle": "", "track": "Blink Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "A talk to underscore the importance of running a Bitcoin full node.", "description": "Key talking points:\r\nWhy do nodes matter?\r\nWhat's the function of a Bitcoin full node?\r\nConsensus rules versus policy rules\r\nThe reference software implementation: Core versus Knots\r\nWhat's in it for you, why would you want to run your own node?\r\nCall to action", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "7UD7JA", "name": "Martijn van Rooijen", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/7UD7JA_Q6JHxOl.webp", "biography": "Sovereign individual & freedom maximalist. \r\nDiscovered Bitcoin in 2018 and never looked back. \r\nSold my house, put everything into Bitcoin and moved halfway across the world to find more freedom. Continued to go deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole, and now on a mission to evangelize and spread the good news.\r\nCurrently writing a book on running Bitcoin nodes.", "public_name": "Martijn van Rooijen", "guid": "0965c868-fe81-525d-9fe1-923c9136578c", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/7UD7JA/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/3AWLT3/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/3AWLT3/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "694ad641-450a-5903-8176-a8acefe12bfd", "code": "AFFDK8", "id": 88852, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T16:15:00+02:00", "start": "16:15", "duration": "00:30", "room": "Blink", "slug": "abcpt26-88852-p2p-in-south-africa-fireside-chat-with-hodl-hodl", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/AFFDK8/", "title": "P2P in South Africa Fireside Chat with Hodl Hodl", "subtitle": "", "track": "Blink Stage", "type": "Fireside Chat", "language": "en", "abstract": "P2P in South Africa Fireside Chat with Hodl Hodl", "description": "P2P in South Africa Fireside Chat with Hodl Hodl", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "PR3ZJA", "name": "Ricki Allardice", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/PR3ZJA_WQutlRD.webp", "biography": "Ricki Allardice, is a scientist, entrepreneur and Bitcoin evangelist from Cape Town, South Africa. He has a diverse professional history, including the biological sciences where he conducted research and development on soil and plant health products; asset and wealth management and the fin-tech startup space. \r\n\r\nFor the past 4 years he has been focussed on Bitcoin only startups, primarily building products and solutions which make self custody simpler and more attainable for the average user.\r\n\r\nRicki is the CEO and co-founder of Orange, a Lightning services company which connects african currencies to the Lightning network to facilitate cross border payments at the speed of light. \r\n\r\nHe also runs his own consulting service called Bitcoin Only, which assists individuals, businesses and trusts in their respective Bitcoin strategies, distributes sovereignty promoting hardware and Bitcoin key management for the long term.\r\n\r\nTwitter: @BitcoinOnlyZA\r\nNostr: npub1aj9k43cmuqdh23un8f25nzdudpep9vaeumte5v7ran7f697y7dgswjw6h3\r\nWebsite: www.bitcoinonly.io", "public_name": "Ricki Allardice", "guid": "42a955ef-28fa-570c-a813-9125896f8cf8", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/PR3ZJA/"}, {"code": "P3X9G7", "name": "Anna", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/P3X9G7_ouD7ENL.webp", "biography": "Anna is the CEO of Hodl Hodl and has nearly a decade of experience building freedom-focused technology. Anna specializes in peer-to-peer and self-custodial approaches to Bitcoin for individual and institutional usage. \r\n\r\nHodl Hodl offers anonymous, non-custodial P2P exchange and lending services, and has grown into one of the leading global P2P platforms for Bitcoin. Today the company is actively expanding and scaling its user base across Africa.\r\n\r\nhttps://x.com/annahhodl\r\nprimal.net/anna", "public_name": "Anna", "guid": "81ce57c4-28ff-5c61-bc55-724c4a7cc948", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/P3X9G7/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/AFFDK8/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/AFFDK8/", "attachments": []}], "BTrust": [{"guid": "08acf671-7bd5-55f4-bd9c-b1b31bde2808", "code": "TSMQAW", "id": 86061, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T10:50:00+02:00", "start": "10:50", "duration": "00:45", "room": "BTrust", "slug": "abcpt26-86061-ark-101-scaling-bitcoin-with-transaction-batching", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/TSMQAW/", "title": "Ark 101 - Scaling Bitcoin with Transaction Batching", "subtitle": "", "track": "BTrust Workshop Room", "type": "Workshop", "language": "en", "abstract": "Ark is a Bitcoin-native transaction batching technique that enables scalable, near-instant payments without sacrificing self-custody or Bitcoin finality. It uses a shared UTXO model coordinated by an always-on operator, where most payments are executed offchain and periodically anchored to Bitcoin via onchain settlement.\r\n\r\nThis workshop introduces the core concepts behind Ark, including Virtual UTXOs (VTXOs), commitment transactions, transaction trees, and unilateral exits. Participants gain an intuitive understanding of Ark\u2019s trust model, how atomicity between batches is enforced without covenants, and where Ark fits into the broader Bitcoin scaling landscape alongside the Lightning Network.", "description": "This workshop introduces Ark, a Bitcoin-native transaction batching technique designed to improve scalability while preserving self-custody and Bitcoin finality. Ark uses a shared UTXO model coordinated by an always-on operator, enabling near-instant offchain payments with periodic onchain settlement.\r\n\r\nParticipants will learn how Virtual UTXOs (VTXOs) represent user-controlled claims on shared onchain outputs, and how Ark enables unilateral exits using presigned transactions, CSV delays, Taproot scripts, and MuSig2\u2014without requiring covenants. The session explains how commitment transactions anchor virtual balances to Bitcoin, and how connector and forfeit transactions ensure atomicity between batches without requiring trust in the operator.\r\n\r\nThe workshop also explores Ark\u2019s trust model, including offchain preconfirmation versus onchain finality, its relationship to the Lightning Network, and current research challenges such as exit costs, operator decentralization, liquidity provision, and scalability under mass exits.\r\n\r\nThis session is suitable for researchers, developers, and technically curious Bitcoiners interested in L2 design and scaling tradeoffs.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "QDHEV7", "name": "Veronika K\u00fctt", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/QDHEV7_W4tVY9Q.webp", "biography": "Veronika K\u00fctt is a researcher and strategist with a long-term focus on Bitcoin. With a background in mathematics and a strong analytical approach, she studies and designs Bitcoin-native Layer 2 protocols and their implications for the future of digital economies. She takes a holistic approach to exploring new ways of living together and alternative governance models, thinking about the future of human systems through the lens of technology and longevity. Veronika currently contributes to Ark Labs, where she researches Arkade, an execution layer built on Ark, to advance Bitcoin toward programmable money.", "public_name": "Veronika K\u00fctt", "guid": "2f6c0770-5cdd-5ef9-9947-72b5ef9ed6f1", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/QDHEV7/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/TSMQAW/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/TSMQAW/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "c93ee1fa-c1f6-50de-808a-ec876c10d78d", "code": "QWF7U3", "id": 85759, "logo": "https://pretalx.com/media/abcpt26/submissions/QWF7U3/JJ01_o6MllMR_H56JHuY_yS2S8k_Cd3iiAl.webp", "date": "2026-01-30T11:40:00+02:00", "start": "11:40", "duration": "00:45", "room": "BTrust", "slug": "abcpt26-85759-building-sovereign-private-businesses-with-natural-law-bitcoin-principles", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/QWF7U3/", "title": "Building Sovereign Private Businesses with Natural Law & Bitcoin Principles", "subtitle": "", "track": "BTrust Workshop Room", "type": "Workshop", "language": "en", "abstract": "Bitcoin offers us financial freedom, but true sovereign entrepreneurs requires understanding the deeper principles governing all value of exchanges. This talk explores how natural law, together with ethical and honorable commerce create businesses that transcend mere profitability to build instead multigenerational value for private sovereign communities and genuine freedom to be and operate at our best. NO matter of jurisdiction, or nations, learn to navigate commercial systems above the powers \"they\" claim to have, creating proper contractual relationships, leveraging private entities or asset protection.", "description": "# Presentation slides are available [here](https://cryptpad.fr/presentation/#/2/presentation/view/9EehP9EnLZOcCgmemS60mGyMSHqkH5v1d7oxMVG5SnI/embed/). Check the links, learn how to get back your freedom.\r\n- - -\r\nAttendees will discover practical frameworks for aligning business operations with timeless principles that complement Bitcoin's revolutionary approach to money\u2014embodying a complete philosophy of sovereign commerce that creates lasting value for communities and future generations to come.\r\n\r\nThis talk will aim to gather entrepreneurs and creative talents together to explore the possibilities of operating business in the private. Ideally will be 2/3 presentation and 1/3 Q&A as most knowledge is build thought interactions.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": true, "persons": [{"code": "KLG7AT", "name": "Jimmy-Jack Buckstrong", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/KLG7AT_HL45mmz.webp", "biography": "Minimalist, Surfer, Voluntarist, Bitcoiner. Privacy is a right, Sovereignty is responsibility. A stateless society based on principles of self-ownership and non-aggression is possible. Every man (and woman) deserve Freedom, but it is not free.", "public_name": "Jimmy-Jack Buckstrong", "guid": "ca645731-c632-5f39-acbf-21e6f588dada", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/KLG7AT/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/QWF7U3/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/QWF7U3/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "c3dbd9df-1819-5dce-a029-808dcfdee870", "code": "LK3MDS", "id": 73365, "logo": "https://pretalx.com/media/abcpt26/submissions/LK3MDS/Bitcoin_Freelancing_A_Peer-t_6FnCQEE.png", "date": "2026-01-30T13:10:00+02:00", "start": "13:10", "duration": "00:45", "room": "BTrust", "slug": "abcpt26-73365-bitcoin-freelancing-a-peer-to-peer-proof-of-work-system", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/LK3MDS/", "title": "Bitcoin Freelancing: A Peer-to-Peer Proof-of-Work System", "subtitle": "", "track": "BTrust Workshop Room", "type": "Workshop", "language": "en", "abstract": "A beginner workshop that does more than the average \"Here's how you can make $10k a month working for yourself\" scam. It's an interactive workshop, backed by my Proof-of-Work, that aims to help bridge the gap between where the audience is & where they can be. Not unrealistic, not a get-rich-quick shitcoin scam, just step-by-step activities that make a self-sovereign career a bit less scary. \r\n\r\nIt takes the audience from how the pillars of freelancing aligns with the pillars of Bitcoin - decentralised, immutable, scalable, Proof-of-Work, structured by incentive, peer-to-peer - to action steps on identifying a freelancing niche, how to get started, and more practical things like how to set up a Lightning wallet and send invoices, how to secure themselves as freelancers, etc.", "description": "I have been freelancing for over a year now and had the opportunity to collaborate with Bitcoin brands, such as The Little HODLer, Love is Bitcoin, Bitcoin Racing and BitLyrics. \r\n\r\nMy motivation to start freelancing is the same as a standard pleb's motivation for stacking: to take control of your resources. \r\n\r\nIt was a super scary step, and today the step I'm the most proud of. I am a big advocate for taking control of your life, however daunting it may be. It's with great passion and excitement that I want to help other plebs take control of their finances even further. I am thrilled to be the guide to others that I needed when I started my journey. \r\n\r\nI am truly committed to giving my best, so that my fellow plebs can walk away from the conference with the same excitement and motivation to not only stack financial value, but skill value as well. \r\n\r\nMy goals isn't to get an audience, my goals is to inspire a movement of new Bitcoin freelancer businesses. \r\n\r\nHere's a small Proof-of-Work:\r\nhttps://x.com/CorTalksBTC/status/1863200387768988058", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "7AJMSL", "name": "Corlia Nolte", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/7AJMSL_6pBLLph.webp", "biography": "Corlia Nolte is the founder of SOVRN, an independent marketing and insights studio rooted in the principles of clarity, autonomy, and self-sovereignty. \r\n\r\nShe works at the intersection of marketing systems and data, helping individuals and businesses build structures that give them more independence in how they operate and make decisions. \r\n\r\nShe aims to inspire more people to create sovereign careers and support self-directed businesses where clarity replaces uncertainty and ownership replaces dependence.", "public_name": "Corlia Nolte", "guid": "2a32f2df-7b57-5462-a0f7-68c3e3bb7033", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/7AJMSL/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/LK3MDS/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/LK3MDS/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "d96c1bef-e0fd-5cf7-8c76-8122ac1f1436", "code": "MTPQGQ", "id": 84957, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T14:00:00+02:00", "start": "14:00", "duration": "00:45", "room": "BTrust", "slug": "abcpt26-84957-how-to-track-bitcoin-payments-without-spreadsheets", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/MTPQGQ/", "title": "How To Track Bitcoin Payments without Spreadsheets", "subtitle": "", "track": "BTrust Workshop Room", "type": "Workshop", "language": "en", "abstract": "As bitcoin adoption accelerates, accounting for payments is creating a lot of friction. This workshop will be an open mic session lead by an experienced Bitcoin accountant to discuss the solutions other projects and companies have found. Bring your own personal challenges and we will talk about ways to solve them.", "description": "As bitcoin adoption accelerates, accounting for payments is creating a lot of friction. This workshop will be an open mic session lead by an experienced Bitcoin accountant to discuss the solutions other projects and companies have found. Bring your own personal challenges and we will talk about ways to solve them.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "3PUX9W", "name": "Roark Janis", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/3PUX9W_7DIxNT3.webp", "biography": "Roark found bitcoin at block 715895 and never looked back. He is involved in supporting and leading many projects including https://bitbooks.com/ using his capital, financial and software experience. He and his partners have a goal in 2026 to donate BitBooks to 1,000 local project organizers and companies accepting bitcoin in circular economies.", "public_name": "Roark Janis", "guid": "715d5053-7c2c-534e-9fc6-d60b4c11d1f0", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/3PUX9W/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/MTPQGQ/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/MTPQGQ/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "78ae25e9-9ceb-5694-a3e5-a8bc777a2a62", "code": "K3C8NB", "id": 82295, "logo": "https://pretalx.com/media/abcpt26/submissions/K3C8NB/photo_2025-04-10_14.00.15_IrKRIGI.jpeg", "date": "2026-01-30T14:50:00+02:00", "start": "14:50", "duration": "00:45", "room": "BTrust", "slug": "abcpt26-82295-blockhunters-the-bitcoin-board-game-workshop", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/K3C8NB/", "title": "Blockhunters - The Bitcoin Board Game Workshop", "subtitle": "", "track": "BTrust Workshop Room", "type": "Workshop", "language": "en", "abstract": "Blockhunters is a bitcoin-themed board game designed to make learning about bitcoin fun, interactive, and memorable. In this workshop, participants will play through a full game of Blockhunters, and they\u2019ll be learning key bitcoin concepts along the way: scarcity, mining, privacy, use cases for bitcoin around the world, and more. Blockhunters is a simple, fast-paced game that ultimately lowers barriers to entry and creates an inclusive and dynamic environment for both newcomers and seasoned bitcoiners, kids and adults. It's especially helpful for tactile and visual learners.", "description": "The Blockhunters Workshop is an interactive, play-based learning experience built around the Blockhunters - The Bitcoin Board Game. It was designed to teach bitcoin concepts in an engaging way.\r\nParticipants form groups of 4 and play through the game while guided by a facilitator (in this case, Emily, one of the game's co-creators). Along the way, they will encounter bitcoin fundamentals in action: finite supply, nodes verifying transactions as they enter the mempool, the process of mining, and more. \r\n\r\nUnlike traditional lectures or panels, the Blockhunters Workshop is participatory and experiential. Players learn by doing: the game\u2019s rules are based on the bitcoin protocol itself, and players act it out. This tactile engagement ensures knowledge retention while also building camaraderie among participants. It\u2019s very easy to pick up, the rules are not so complicated. \r\n\r\nThe workshop is suitable for:\r\n1. Newcomers who want an accessible, introduction to bitcoin. (This type of player consistently highlights how the format made bitcoin concepts \u201cclick\u201d)\r\n2. Educators & community builders looking for innovative teaching tools. Blockhunters really shines in an educational environment.\r\n3. Seasoned bitcoiners who want a fun, social activity. It\u2019s a fun game and the pros delight in seeing the protocol come alive through play!!\r\n\r\nWe want to contribute an inclusive, high-energy session by bringing Blockhunters to Adopting Bitcoin in Cape Town. Our game touches on the technical side of bitcoin as well as the social side - our characters are using bitcoin for myriad reasons from advancing human rights to fighting inflation. All this in format that\u2019s playful yet deeply educational!", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "ZTT8EU", "name": "Emily Hughes", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/ZTT8EU_bdhqWFK.webp", "biography": "Emily is a freelance designer, digital nomad, and co-creator of Blockhunters \u2013 The Bitcoin Board Game. She loves bringing her creativity to purpose-driven projects that make Bitcoin more accessible. Guided by an inclusive, optimistic vision of the future, she believes Bitcoin education is one of the most powerful tools for expanding freedom around the world.\r\n\r\nMy social links:\r\nX: @emH__\r\nIG: @emilyelizabethughes \r\nNostr: @emily \r\n\r\nBlockhunters: www.blockhuntersgame.com", "public_name": "Emily Hughes", "guid": "1ef31c3f-0bf9-5d8a-b054-34e2358b0503", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/ZTT8EU/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/K3C8NB/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/K3C8NB/", "attachments": [{"title": "Blockhunters Product Photo", "url": "/media/abcpt26/submissions/K3C8NB/resources/2P3A1652-Edit-Edit_UAWe9Iq.jpg", "type": "related"}]}, {"guid": "b614dcb7-5792-5eab-a301-456fba0b8da9", "code": "LJZUN8", "id": 87634, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T15:40:00+02:00", "start": "15:40", "duration": "00:45", "room": "BTrust", "slug": "abcpt26-87634-fedimint", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/LJZUN8/", "title": "Fedimint", "subtitle": "", "track": "BTrust Workshop Room", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "What is Fedimint and how can it be useful for circular economies.", "description": "Fedimint is a community custody solution that integrates Lightning, Onchain and eCash payments into a single application. We will explain the practical properties of the technology and how to self host such a system on Start9s for your own community.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "NKFTZN", "name": "joschisan", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/NKFTZN_xK4OYd5.webp", "biography": "Mathematician working on Fedimint\r\n\r\nhttps://x.com/joschisanbtc", "public_name": "joschisan", "guid": "060b0648-1831-5ca8-8deb-30aaa9c71042", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/NKFTZN/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/LJZUN8/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/LJZUN8/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "756ab640-cc80-5c88-8eef-a66a44fa0dd8", "code": "FHNL9D", "id": 89192, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-30T16:30:00+02:00", "start": "16:30", "duration": "00:45", "room": "BTrust", "slug": "abcpt26-89192-stratum-v2-a-step-towards-mining-decentralization", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/FHNL9D/", "title": "Stratum V2: A Step Towards Mining Decentralization", "subtitle": "", "track": "BTrust Workshop Room", "type": "Workshop", "language": "en", "abstract": "Stratum V2 Mining Workshop", "description": "Bitcoin's security model assumes decentralized mining, but today a handful of pool operators control which transactions get included in blocks. This creates censorship risks that undermine Bitcoin's core value proposition.\r\n\r\n  This talk covers:\r\n  - How Bitcoin mining actually works (from basics to ASIC-level details)\r\n  - Why pool payment schemes like FPPS incentivize centralization\r\n  - The censorship threats we're already seeing in practice\r\n  - How Stratum V2 enables miners to select their own transactions\r\n  - Practical setup: use SV2 today with your existing mining hardware\r\n\r\n If you're a miner, developer, or Bitcoin enthusiast, you'll leave understanding why transaction selection matters and how to be part of the solution.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "MPLNGD", "name": "Simon", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/MPLNGD_40GvR66.webp", "biography": "Simon is a Bitcoin engineer, educator, and open-source contributor focused on mining decentralization.\r\n\r\nHe is a Btrust grantee working on Stratum V2, contributing to efforts that strengthen Bitcoin\u2019s mining infrastructure.\r\n\r\nHe is a co-founder of BitDevs Nairobi, a Btrust Builders faculty member, and a Bitcoin educator who has facilitated developer bootcamps in Kenya and beyond.\r\n\r\nThrough his work in the Bitcoin development ecosystem, Simon is actively nurturing the next generation of open-source Bitcoin contributors across Africa.\r\n\r\nhttps://x.com/dzeg5\r\nnpub1zm2dg6fjl8aw0rcmhhc8kcdax6nzmsvvdwxcwc9upnvctl5vvwlslpf260", "public_name": "Simon", "guid": "f96926dc-5bda-5647-809d-b613935d6357", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/MPLNGD/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/FHNL9D/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/FHNL9D/", "attachments": []}]}}, {"index": 2, "date": "2026-01-31", "day_start": "2026-01-31T04:00:00+02:00", "day_end": "2026-02-01T03:59:00+02:00", "rooms": {"Machankura": [{"guid": "4589d1bf-25ac-52c2-aea7-37eb92f28d64", "code": "AYEKJZ", "id": 88563, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T10:00:00+02:00", "start": "10:00", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-88563-machankura", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/AYEKJZ/", "title": "Machankura", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Machankura", "description": "Machankura", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "FEYRQV", "name": "Kgothatso Ngako", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/FEYRQV_xndETBV.webp", "biography": "Kgothatso Ngako is a catalyst aiming to accelerate the adoption of Bitcoin across the African continent. He is currently building out @Machankura8333 , which is a service giving people without an internet connected device the ability to send and receive Bitcoin.", "public_name": "Kgothatso Ngako", "guid": "2b9d1a9e-918b-519c-baa1-940f3487a8f5", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/FEYRQV/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/AYEKJZ/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/AYEKJZ/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "224635cc-5212-5403-8ad9-1569a89c566f", "code": "QQXGKV", "id": 88222, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T10:25:00+02:00", "start": "10:25", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-88222-why-should-we-build-bitcoin-circular-economies-in-africa", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/QQXGKV/", "title": "Why should we build Bitcoin Circular Economies in Africa?", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Building Bitcoin Circular Economies in Africa.", "description": "Building Bitcoin Circular Economies in Africa.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "YAFXMF", "name": "Hermann Buhr Vivier", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/YAFXMF_yWtJwDe.webp", "biography": "Hermann Buhr Vivier is the founder of Bitcoin Ekasi, est. 2021. Bitcoin Ekasi is a Bitcoin circular economy project based in Mossel Bay, South Africa. The project is inspired by Bitcoin Beach (El Salvador) and utilizes The Surfer Kids, a social development & youth empowerment non-profit that Hermann co-founded in 2010, as a community platform. \r\n\r\nHermann\u2019s involvement with Bitcoin dates back to late 2013 when he stumbled across an early print copy of Bitcoin Magazine.\r\n\r\nLater, in 2015, an international tourism business he co-owns with his wife was separated from its client base due to financial sanctions. Bitcoin became a way to receive payments, bypassing sanctions and saving their business. This experience triggered a deep interest in Bitcoin as a solution to immediate problems, related specifically to its use as an uncensorable medium of exchange.", "public_name": "Hermann Buhr Vivier", "guid": "91c847bf-f525-5522-8524-3fe05c301034", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/YAFXMF/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/QQXGKV/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/QQXGKV/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "0e68330a-8b9a-5ac5-873f-2ab743dabbea", "code": "QGXWFK", "id": 88554, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T10:50:00+02:00", "start": "10:50", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-88554-moneybadger-scaling-bitcoin-commerce-to-650-000-shops", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/QGXWFK/", "title": "MoneyBadger: Scaling Bitcoin commerce to 650,000 shops", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Carel van Wyk | MoneyBadger", "description": "Carel van Wyk | MoneyBadger", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "AKTCSL", "name": "Carel van Wyk", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/AKTCSL_5ZYKoqj.webp", "biography": "Carel is a Bitcoin devotee, and humble servant of Lord Satoshi. He has dedicated his life to fixing the world by fixing its money. Leader of the money badgers, his mission is to serve the free and to free the enslaved. Carel started Luno, a well known South African Bitcoin exchange, as well as MoneyBadger, a Bitcoin payments provider, wiring up thousands of South African merchants to the Lightning network so you can live your life on the Bitcoin standard.\r\n\r\n\r\nhttps://x.com/MoneyBadgerPay", "public_name": "Carel van Wyk", "guid": "3c643176-4849-5776-af63-9a770574c7a5", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/AKTCSL/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/QGXWFK/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/QGXWFK/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "635b7be6-aae8-5a2d-8d86-5c825038644d", "code": "EMRZVJ", "id": 88747, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T11:15:00+02:00", "start": "11:15", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-88747-money-without-borders-bitcoin-and-human-rights", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/EMRZVJ/", "title": "Money Without Borders: Bitcoin and Human Rights", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Financial freedom is a cornerstone of human rights. But today, financial systems are being weaponized to surveil, censor, and silence. For people living under authoritarian regimes or facing financial repression, Bitcoin offers a lifeline. This session explores how activists and everyday people are using it to survive, access global funds, and reclaim control over their financial lives.", "description": "Financial freedom is a cornerstone of human rights. But today, financial systems are being weaponized to surveil, censor, and silence. For people living under authoritarian regimes or facing financial repression, Bitcoin offers a lifeline. This session explores how activists and everyday people are using it to survive, access global funds, and reclaim control over their financial lives.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "W8FGEX", "name": "Judy Imasuen", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/W8FGEX_GgV85eZ.webp", "biography": "Judy Imasuen manages the Bitcoin Development Fund operations at the Human Rights Foundation. She works behind the scenes to support projects that improve Bitcoin\u2019s accessibility, security, and impact across different communities.", "public_name": "Judy Imasuen", "guid": "7c24e769-00fe-5c56-8d43-1d612a4a764a", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/W8FGEX/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/EMRZVJ/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/EMRZVJ/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "a2f17b97-3d4d-5e06-87e3-94bacdc6c748", "code": "3FSPTN", "id": 89193, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T11:40:00+02:00", "start": "11:40", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-89193-the-invisible-infrastructure-behind-the-scenes-of-bitcoin-and-btrust", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/3FSPTN/", "title": "The Invisible Infrastructure: Behind the Scenes of Bitcoin and Btrust", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Bitcoin is often described as \u201cmoney that just works.\u201d Blocks keep coming, transactions confirm, and value moves across borders with no central authority. But beneath this seamless experience is an invisible infrastructure powered by real humans: developers reviewing pull requests at midnight, debating edge cases, maintaining critical code, and sustaining the network\u2019s resilience.\r\n\r\nThis talk explores the often-overlooked human layer of Bitcoin open-source development and why decentralizing that layer is essential for Bitcoin\u2019s long-term survival. Drawing from Btrust\u2019s work across the Global South, we'll explore what it takes to build sustainable developer pipelines beyond funding.\r\n\r\nBecause adoption without resilient infrastructure is just marketing, and decentralized money requires decentralized builders.", "description": "Most people only see the \u201cmagic\u201d of Bitcoin: a network that runs flawlessly in the background. But that magic is only the tip of the iceberg.\r\n\r\nBehind Bitcoin is an invisible infrastructure of contributors, engineers, reviewers, maintainers, and community builders, doing the unglamorous, high-stakes work that keeps the protocol alive. Historically, this work has been geographically concentrated, creating a quiet centralization risk for a system meant to be decentralized.\r\n\r\nIn this session, we'll go behind the scenes of Bitcoin development and into the work Btrust is doing to change that reality. \r\n\r\nThis talk is ultimately a reminder that Bitcoin\u2019s future depends not only on code, but on the people, and the invisible work, that sustain it.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "FUDPB8", "name": "Sharon Murugi", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/FUDPB8_Q2YSAwH.webp", "biography": "Sharon leads communications at Btrust, a non-profit working to decentralize Bitcoin open-source software development. She\u2019s a creative communicator with a passion for storytelling, community building, and making complex ideas easy to understand. With a background in psychology, Sharon brings a human-centered approach to her work, focusing on inclusion, connection, and well-being while building meaningful spaces, both online and offline.\r\n\r\nX: https://x.com/Murugi___\r\nNostr: https://primal.net/p/nprofile1qqs9qf833x5k0wc89g8pd883n7yv79trjrj26va2dvzgghj97cd0e7qlwnk8e", "public_name": "Sharon Murugi", "guid": "a16fd5f4-a172-5216-a0f2-d9c4d73bfbe8", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/FUDPB8/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/3FSPTN/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/3FSPTN/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "ca1d9e16-b257-5830-bdb4-21cfd415af9a", "code": "UEGBJK", "id": 88561, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T12:05:00+02:00", "start": "12:05", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-88561-the-world-is-changing-but-should-we", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/UEGBJK/", "title": "The world is changing, but should we?", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "The world is changing, but should we?", "description": "The world is changing, but should we?", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "WJS7CN", "name": "Ernst Roets", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/WJS7CN_Ul0Uu6J.webp", "biography": "Dr. Ernst Roets is Executive Director of Lex Libertas, a new initiative that seeks to promote autonomy and decentralised governance in South Africa. He is an activist, author and documentary filmmaker and the host of the Pioneer Podcast.\r\n\r\nX: @ErnstRoets.\r\nhttps://x.com/ErnstRoets", "public_name": "Ernst Roets", "guid": "182a736e-448f-5461-9fdd-943b746cab2b", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/WJS7CN/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/UEGBJK/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/UEGBJK/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "e1ff4852-7cdd-5070-aee0-28638864c378", "code": "UPPT9U", "id": 89157, "logo": "https://pretalx.com/media/abcpt26/submissions/UPPT9U/LuthandoSABTC_bC7MAxz_wItgd3s.webp", "date": "2026-01-31T13:05:00+02:00", "start": "13:05", "duration": "00:40", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-89157-bitcoin-circular-economies-in-south-africa", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/UPPT9U/", "title": "Bitcoin Circular Economies in South Africa", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Panel", "language": "en", "abstract": "Bitcoin Circular Economies in South Africa", "description": "Bitcoin Circular Economies in South Africa", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "LHQ9ZA", "name": "Josef T\u011btek", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/LHQ9ZA_KFQRAQm.webp", "biography": "Josef is a bitcoiner with a passion for bitcoin education. Josef currently leads the Trezor Academy, a non-profit educational initiative with the goal to bring Bitcoin awareness to places where it is needed the most. Author of Bitcoin: Separation of Money and State.", "public_name": "Josef T\u011btek", "guid": "f42874f3-4f0d-5072-b927-0978f912dbf6", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/LHQ9ZA/"}, {"code": "QF8TRM", "name": "Luthando Ndabambi", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/QF8TRM_UakK3Bx.webp", "biography": "Luthando Ndabambi began his tenure with The Surfer Kids in May 2019, initially serving as a surf coach. In August 2021, he embarked on his journey into the world of Bitcoin, dedicating himself to understanding Bitcoin and facilitating its adoption within his community. He actively engaged in onboarding local shops in his township to accept Bitcoin as a form of payment. Today, Luthando serves as the Project Community Lead for The Surfer Kids and Bitcoin Ekasi, where he continues driving innovation and community engagement.\r\n\r\nhttps://x.com/LuthandoSABTC", "public_name": "Luthando Ndabambi", "guid": "c165bc52-66c4-5147-879e-022b3908d0d1", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/QF8TRM/"}, {"code": "PBDWWY", "name": "Thulisa Sikolpati", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/PBDWWY_wjCe7w7.webp", "biography": "Thulisa Sikolpati (28) is building a circular Economy in Khayelitsha called Bitcoin Loxion, modelled after projects like Bitcoin Ekasi and Bitcoin Beach. She was born and raised in Khayelitsha, a township in the Western Cape of South Africa, on the Cape Flats in the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality. The name Khayelitsha is Xhosa for New Home. It is reputed to be one of the largest and fastest-growing townships in South Africa.\r\n\r\nTwitter: @BitcoinLoxion.", "public_name": "Thulisa Sikolpati", "guid": "1b78751a-82e6-5dcb-be3c-9d7f4a938056", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/PBDWWY/"}, {"code": "YF9YNQ", "name": "Eldry Hill", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/YF9YNQ_3Xxo9yK.webp", "biography": "Ellie is the Chair of the Witsand Ratepayers Association and a keen participant in Bitcoin Witsand, a fantastic Bitcoin circular economy. \r\n\r\nEllie and her husband are the owners of Ellie\u2019s on Main, the first restaurant to accept Bitcoin in Witsand, as well as Nella se Winkel , a general dealer and fuel station also accepting Bitcoin in this tiny coastal village. \r\n\r\nHer journey includes being an investment accountant, MBA alumnus, marketer and homeschooling mom. Currently she commutes to Sandton as Head of Business Development & Stakeholder Relations at Frusina Holdings. \r\n\r\nShe\u2019s passionate about education, human flourishing and community development.\r\n\r\nhttps://x.com/BitcoinWitsand", "public_name": "Eldry Hill", "guid": "2b33eed7-c976-576e-b8cf-6ff1542e4b9f", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/YF9YNQ/"}, {"code": "RN73JY", "name": "Retshepile", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/RN73JY_VrpCukQ.webp", "biography": "Retshepile a Bitcoin social entrepreneur from the West Side of Johannesburg.\r\nHe is a passionate Bitcoin advocate with a deep commitment to community building. \r\nThrough education, dignity, and economic self-determination, he works tirelessly to empower communities \u2014 one Satoshi at a time.\r\n\r\nhttps://x.com/sisonkeBTC", "public_name": "Retshepile", "guid": "ceec2c90-c975-5450-a855-91116ffce8d0", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/RN73JY/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/UPPT9U/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/UPPT9U/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "c7bf41f7-a2a2-56c8-a89f-0a8a18a0a104", "code": "WQJFPE", "id": 85955, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T13:50:00+02:00", "start": "13:50", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-85955-building-the-tools-that-make-bitcoin-usable", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/WQJFPE/", "title": "Building the Tools That Make Bitcoin Usable.", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "This is a conversation I believe would add depth to the program. I\u2019d like to explore how real Bitcoin adoption in Africa depends on tools that are not only technically sound, but culturally and economically local. Drawing from my experience building Tando, I will speak about designing UX that feels familiar to people by integrating with systems they already trust, like M-PESA and other mobile money rails. When Bitcoin tools mirror existing flows people know, they lower friction and build confidence.", "description": "The session will also look at localization beyond interfaces. That includes translating Bitcoin education and product messaging into local African languages, and adapting concepts like saving, spending and volatility to how people actually earn and plan in informal and low to middle income settings. I will touch on the idea of \u201csachetization\u201d in an African context, where offering small, manageable amounts of value fits daily income patterns and helps people experiment with Bitcoin without feeling exposed.\r\n\r\nOverall, the talk will unpack how onramps, offramps and user flows must be designed around local realities if we want sustainable adoption. The goal is to give builders and educators concrete insights on how to make Bitcoin tools usable, trustworthy and relevant for the communities they serve.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "CMGCSD", "name": "Sabina Gitau", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/CMGCSD_ufg06z6.webp", "biography": "Sabina Gitau is the Co-Founder of Tando, where she\u2019s working to advance Bitcoin payment solutions across Africa starting here in Kenya. She\u2019s passionate about financial freedom and sovereignty through Bitcoin, and is committed to helping African communities access the opportunities and independence that Bitcoin offers.", "public_name": "Sabina Gitau", "guid": "ccc6f66b-0df5-5582-95d1-6cdb70249b5f", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/CMGCSD/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/WQJFPE/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/WQJFPE/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "d3b59b5f-7690-5419-ac8d-a90068bf4b0a", "code": "SZ9B8R", "id": 80340, "logo": "https://pretalx.com/media/abcpt26/submissions/SZ9B8R/IMG_1389_t3olq5x.jpeg", "date": "2026-01-31T14:15:00+02:00", "start": "14:15", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-80340-fix-the-money-first-fix-the-motivation", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/SZ9B8R/", "title": "Fix the Money? First, Fix the Motivation", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "This talk will be exploring why Bitcoin adoption hinges just not on access or education but on incentives and if we want to see Bitcoin in every hand we should consider how people think, feel and act.", "description": "With this talk, based on my on- ground experience in Kenya, I\u2019ll be exploring the notion that education alone is enough to drive bitcoin adoption. While critical, it is just the beginning. What really gets Bitcoin into people\u2019s hands, and keeps it there, is the motivation, and nothing reinforces that motivation more than the ability to spend it meaningfully in daily life. When people see that Bitcoin isn\u2019t just something to learn about or hold, but something they can actually use to pay for goods, services, or support their communities, adoption shifts from theory to lived reality.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "MXZDFY", "name": "Noelyne Sumba", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/MXZDFY_wZIKbAx.webp", "biography": "A Bitcoin advocate with the primary goal of promoting widespread acceptance of Bitcoin at the grassroots level, with a particular emphasis on Africa.", "public_name": "Noelyne Sumba", "guid": "76679bda-2dc8-5b80-9ea1-0d230a307a70", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/MXZDFY/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/SZ9B8R/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/SZ9B8R/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "678ab017-9c2a-5c9c-9b4f-2dfc16e59b47", "code": "QU9M9Y", "id": 88566, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T14:40:00+02:00", "start": "14:40", "duration": "00:40", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-88566-crossborder-settlements-panel", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/QU9M9Y/", "title": "Crossborder Settlements Panel", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Panel", "language": "en", "abstract": "Cross border payments have dramatically changed over the past decade. The incumbent SWIFT system is being challenged by Bitcoin, stablecoins and alternative settlement networks. Which system will win?", "description": "Cross border payments have dramatically changed over the past decade. The incumbent SWIFT system is being challenged by Bitcoin, Stablecoins and alternative settlement networks. Which system will win?", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "PR3ZJA", "name": "Ricki Allardice", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/PR3ZJA_WQutlRD.webp", "biography": "Ricki Allardice, is a scientist, entrepreneur and Bitcoin evangelist from Cape Town, South Africa. He has a diverse professional history, including the biological sciences where he conducted research and development on soil and plant health products; asset and wealth management and the fin-tech startup space. \r\n\r\nFor the past 4 years he has been focussed on Bitcoin only startups, primarily building products and solutions which make self custody simpler and more attainable for the average user.\r\n\r\nRicki is the CEO and co-founder of Orange, a Lightning services company which connects african currencies to the Lightning network to facilitate cross border payments at the speed of light. \r\n\r\nHe also runs his own consulting service called Bitcoin Only, which assists individuals, businesses and trusts in their respective Bitcoin strategies, distributes sovereignty promoting hardware and Bitcoin key management for the long term.\r\n\r\nTwitter: @BitcoinOnlyZA\r\nNostr: npub1aj9k43cmuqdh23un8f25nzdudpep9vaeumte5v7ran7f697y7dgswjw6h3\r\nWebsite: www.bitcoinonly.io", "public_name": "Ricki Allardice", "guid": "42a955ef-28fa-570c-a813-9125896f8cf8", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/PR3ZJA/"}, {"code": "C7JJTS", "name": "Ry Sterling Yennie", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/C7JJTS_57sSetv.webp", "biography": "Enterprise software leader with deep expertise in fintech, payments, and Lightning. Leads IBEX\u2019s global commercial strategy", "public_name": "Ry Sterling Yennie", "guid": "4bde46ed-90a1-53b4-b9f6-d8e91e20e305", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/C7JJTS/"}, {"code": "HYWETX", "name": "Robert Allen", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/HYWETX_wO0q72p.webp", "biography": "Robert Allen is a veteran financial professional (SchiffGold 2010-2014) and an early Bitcoin pioneer (class of 2014). He is the founder of Coincube.io and co-founder of Satlantis.io. Now based in Lagos, Nigeria, Robert leads Tirith.tech, a software firm with strong Nigerian engineering roots dedicated to building the infrastructure for the decentralized web. His work focuses on unlocking Bitcoin's potential for economic empowerment and accelerating tech development across Africa.", "public_name": "Robert Allen", "guid": "d49e5255-c161-5a88-832f-1eeb4cb7c0b7", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/HYWETX/"}, {"code": "XTR78G", "name": "Theophilus Isah", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/XTR78G_97gIHcS.webp", "biography": "Theophilus Isah is the CEO and Co-founder of Mavapay, a Bitcoin company focused on providing payment infrastructure starting with Africa, with global potential. Theo is a Btrust alumnus and is deeply invested in technical Bitcoin education for the Global South. He is also actively involved in building free Bitcoin open-source tools and projects that foster Bitcoin adoption.\r\n\r\nhttps://x.com/Extheo", "public_name": "Theophilus Isah", "guid": "444b6aa6-1c28-5059-aaad-10f5ccc72a16", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/XTR78G/"}, {"code": "B9DS8L", "name": "Divan Myburgh", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/B9DS8L_uxxh8ca.webp", "biography": "Divan Myburgh is the co-founder of Swoop. He built his career in traditional finance, culminating in leading operations at a leading foreign exchange treasury banking intermediary. He has since drawn on that experience to launch Lightning rails for South African expats who need to bring funds home efficiently.\r\n\r\nWith specialist knowledge in international money transfers and cross-border payments, Divan understands where deals get stuck: Exchange Controls, due process, and compliance. In practice, these are often the difference between a smooth settlement and a stalled transaction. His operational grounding means clients get clear guidance, clean execution, and fewer surprises when moving funds.\r\n\r\nDivan is passionate about Bitcoin and self-custody and facilitates brokerage rails in addition to international money transfers. Through efficient use of the Lightning Network, Swoop enables expats to repatriate funds to South Africa at superb exchange rates, with extremely fast settlement, clear pricing, and a process that stays compliant and straightforward.\r\n\r\nbtc2zar.myswoop.co.za", "public_name": "Divan Myburgh", "guid": "90f33dd5-b48e-5c83-9564-8fc2efa03565", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/B9DS8L/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/QU9M9Y/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/QU9M9Y/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "5f058bb2-84c5-50a0-a0c1-0d00d6a4e01d", "code": "W9XNHV", "id": 78513, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T15:25:00+02:00", "start": "15:25", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-78513-what-i-wish-teachers-taught-about-money-bitcoin-and-the-world", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/W9XNHV/", "title": "What I wish teachers taught about money, Bitcoin, and the world", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "A 14 year old's perspective on the state of education and what it is missing", "description": "There are so many things missing from education systems all around the world.  Those of us lucky enough to have already discovered Bitcoin already can educate ourselves and find people in the community to educate us; but for those who haven't, there needs to be more education in schools.  This is what I wish teachers taught about money, Bitcoin, and the world.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "YHTRGY", "name": "Samantha de Waal", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/YHTRGY_u0E60VB.webp", "biography": "Lifelong Bitcoiner, born at block height 117523.  Much more popular than her dad.", "public_name": "Samantha de Waal", "guid": "082484b3-a7f6-599c-bb70-35156d396de1", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/YHTRGY/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/W9XNHV/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/W9XNHV/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "cdf7441c-5db9-5e01-83ec-b0cba0f3c2cc", "code": "XYZEUP", "id": 87143, "logo": "https://pretalx.com/media/abcpt26/submissions/XYZEUP/558889746_10164673123451535_T9mLdvE.webp", "date": "2026-01-31T15:50:00+02:00", "start": "15:50", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-87143-from-scams-to-bitcoin-sovereignty-sa-lessons-from-karatbars-gsb", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/XYZEUP/", "title": "From Scams to Bitcoin Sovereignty: SA Lessons from Karatbars & GSB", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "In this talk, I'll share my multi-year journey exposing the Karatbars and GSB scams in South Africa, where unfulfilled gold-backed crypto promises caused investor losses and triggered regulatory warnings. As a whistleblower facing intimidation and SLAPP-style lawsuits, I've seen how centralized MLM schemes exploit hype\u2014contrasting with Bitcoin's transparent decentralisation. Amid SA's challenges like high inflation and unbanked populations, I'll offer lessons on self-sovereignty via bitcoin education and non-custodial wallets. Noting 2025 multi-jurisdictional settlements for refunds, this session highlights bitcoin's role in parallel financial institutions where authorities lag. Attendees get tips to spot scams, build community resilience, and boost grassroots adoption in Africa. As a Bitcoin advocate with experience in savings experiments and security, I aim to empower all levels for a sovereign future.", "description": "This 20-minute talk explores the shift from crypto scam risks to bitcoin's sovereignty, based on South African experiences with Karatbars International and its rebrand, Gold Standard Banking (GSB). \r\n\r\nKaratbars, founded by Harald Seiz, promised gold-backed cryptos via MLM, drawing investors with wealth preservation claims. Hype crested in 2019 at Golden Independence Day in Las Vegas, but failed coin-to-gold exchanges revealed fraud, prompting warnings from SA's FSCA, Germany's BaFin, and others. The 2020 GSB rebrand under Josip Heit continued similar tactics, promoting Dubai property shares as potential unregistered securities.\r\n\r\nBy late 2025, GSB faced multi-jurisdictional settlements via NASAA, with refund claims open from Feb 21 to May 22, 2025, for investors in areas like Alberta, Colorado, Arizona, and British Columbia\u2014now closed. In SA, FSCA's 2023 warnings yielded no major actions, exposing gaps that pushed victims toward class-actions against promoters. My role\u20142018 blog alerts, talks with experts, and lawsuit defenses for YouTube critiques\u2014shows advocacy's perils.\r\n\r\nIn contrast, Bitcoin's 21M supply cap and blockchain transparency enable real self-sovereignty, without central control or empty promises. I'll link my experiments, like a year-long savings trial with 75% growth via Lightning Network, surpassing fiat amid SA's ~78% debt-to-GDP. The talk covers scam red flags (e.g., high returns, no audits) vs. bitcoin's mechanics, with tips: secure wallets vs. malware, pushing bitcoin in pensions, and NPO education to bridge centralised failures.\r\n\r\nThis fits Adopting Bitcoin themes by showing scam fallout fueling parallel institutions\u2014like grassroots nets hedging inflation for unbanked Africans. Q&A engages all levels for ethical adoption knowledge exchange.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "HJ7A3T", "name": "Louis", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/HJ7A3T_zJeU00f.webp", "biography": "Louis Nel is a full-stack developer, content creator, and bitcoin enthusiast from South Africa, with expertise in software engineering and fintech. He holds a BA from the University of South Africa and has worked in motoring, marketing, advertising, fintech, and sales industries.\r\n\r\nKey Achievements:\r\nDeveloped projects for bitcoin price tracking and arbitrage.\r\nExplored bitcoin mining with surplus solar power in South Africa.\r\nAuthored blog content on bitcoin as a savings tool, outperforming traditional methods amid economic challenges.\r\nSkilled in MongoDB, Angular and Nodejs, SEO, web design, and CMS like WordPress/Joomla.\r\n\r\nProfessional Focus:\r\nLouis advocates for bitcoin adoption, emphasizing self-sovereignty and parallel institutions. His work contrasts crypto scams with bitcoin's transparency, drawing from personal experiences with regulatory advocacy and community education.\r\n\r\nInterests:\r\nActive on Twitter (@louisnel), he discusses South African issues like inflation hedging and youth empowerment through bitcoin. His honest, driven approach makes him a valuable contributor to tech dialogues.", "public_name": "Louis", "guid": "e7584192-3878-535b-bb52-56e12304f050", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/HJ7A3T/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/XYZEUP/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/XYZEUP/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "90634dbc-0a6b-52bf-9004-8c372ab19ad1", "code": "M8PMZS", "id": 78289, "logo": "https://pretalx.com/media/abcpt26/submissions/M8PMZS/PAN_AFRICAN_BANNER_NX1QLNA.png", "date": "2026-01-31T16:15:00+02:00", "start": "16:15", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-78289-bitcoin-as-the-pan-african-trade-currency", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/M8PMZS/", "title": "BITCOIN as The Pan-African Trade Currency", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Trade across Africa is hampered by $5 billion in annual losses to Foreign Exchange costs and trade friction. Robert Allen, founder of COINCUBE, proposes Bitcoin as the essential pan-African trade currency. Bitcoin offers a borderless, fast, and neutral settlement rail, empowering direct, low-cost cross-border transactions, eliminating delays and gatekeepers. The continent's mobile-first, tech-savvy population is primed for adoption. This talk will outline actionable steps to build Bitcoin trade corridors and foster a truly financially independent African market.", "description": "Imagine an Africa where trade flows seamlessly. Robert Allen, founder of COINCUBE, presents Bitcoin as the solution to unlocking Africa's potential. Africa suffers from a quasi-barter system of trade with 42 different fiat currencies, each with very little utility outside of each respective political jurisdiction. This bifurcation results in $5B in annual currency conversion costs. Learn how Bitcoin's borderless, fast, and low-cost nature can empower direct, independent trade across the continent. To achieve this vision, we will need to move African businesses onto a Bitcoin standard. What are the steps we can take to make this a reality? Let's explore together!", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "HYWETX", "name": "Robert Allen", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/HYWETX_wO0q72p.webp", "biography": "Robert Allen is a veteran financial professional (SchiffGold 2010-2014) and an early Bitcoin pioneer (class of 2014). He is the founder of Coincube.io and co-founder of Satlantis.io. Now based in Lagos, Nigeria, Robert leads Tirith.tech, a software firm with strong Nigerian engineering roots dedicated to building the infrastructure for the decentralized web. His work focuses on unlocking Bitcoin's potential for economic empowerment and accelerating tech development across Africa.", "public_name": "Robert Allen", "guid": "d49e5255-c161-5a88-832f-1eeb4cb7c0b7", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/HYWETX/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/M8PMZS/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/M8PMZS/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "44f5561b-e949-5064-b23b-f2f73713cf5c", "code": "LN98FS", "id": 85364, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T16:40:00+02:00", "start": "16:40", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-85364-bitcoin-circular-economies-book", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/LN98FS/", "title": "Bitcoin Circular Economies Book", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "We have published a book about the first five Bitcoin circular economies around the world, and I will talk about the process and everything we\u2019ve learned. I also want to announce the production of our second book, dedicated exclusively to Africa\u2019s Bitcoin circular economies.", "description": "A talk about our work of investigating bitcoin circular economies around the world", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "MKQ3GL", "name": "Ivan Kaleja", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/MKQ3GL_jsuEzEC.webp", "biography": "Bitcoin educator and B4H cofounder, writer of Bitcoin Circular Economies book. Being in Bitcoin ecosystem since 2017, educating about Bitcoin and financial freedom.", "public_name": "Ivan Kaleja", "guid": "52831f09-49da-5d19-ac76-995f133cfa3b", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/MKQ3GL/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/LN98FS/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/LN98FS/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "80c748a6-d0cf-51d8-bdbf-af660648e300", "code": "K7FQ9J", "id": 88848, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T17:05:00+02:00", "start": "17:05", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Machankura", "slug": "abcpt26-88848-closing-remarks-important-announcements-group-photo", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/K7FQ9J/", "title": "Closing Remarks, Important Announcements, Group Photo", "subtitle": "", "track": "Machankura Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Closing Remarks, Important Announcements, Group Photo", "description": "Closing Remarks, Important Announcements, Group Photo", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "FEYRQV", "name": "Kgothatso Ngako", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/FEYRQV_xndETBV.webp", "biography": "Kgothatso Ngako is a catalyst aiming to accelerate the adoption of Bitcoin across the African continent. He is currently building out @Machankura8333 , which is a service giving people without an internet connected device the ability to send and receive Bitcoin.", "public_name": "Kgothatso Ngako", "guid": "2b9d1a9e-918b-519c-baa1-940f3487a8f5", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/FEYRQV/"}, {"code": "LHQ9ZA", "name": "Josef T\u011btek", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/LHQ9ZA_KFQRAQm.webp", "biography": "Josef is a bitcoiner with a passion for bitcoin education. Josef currently leads the Trezor Academy, a non-profit educational initiative with the goal to bring Bitcoin awareness to places where it is needed the most. Author of Bitcoin: Separation of Money and State.", "public_name": "Josef T\u011btek", "guid": "f42874f3-4f0d-5072-b927-0978f912dbf6", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/LHQ9ZA/"}, {"code": "YAFXMF", "name": "Hermann Buhr Vivier", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/YAFXMF_yWtJwDe.webp", "biography": "Hermann Buhr Vivier is the founder of Bitcoin Ekasi, est. 2021. Bitcoin Ekasi is a Bitcoin circular economy project based in Mossel Bay, South Africa. The project is inspired by Bitcoin Beach (El Salvador) and utilizes The Surfer Kids, a social development & youth empowerment non-profit that Hermann co-founded in 2010, as a community platform. \r\n\r\nHermann\u2019s involvement with Bitcoin dates back to late 2013 when he stumbled across an early print copy of Bitcoin Magazine.\r\n\r\nLater, in 2015, an international tourism business he co-owns with his wife was separated from its client base due to financial sanctions. Bitcoin became a way to receive payments, bypassing sanctions and saving their business. This experience triggered a deep interest in Bitcoin as a solution to immediate problems, related specifically to its use as an uncensorable medium of exchange.", "public_name": "Hermann Buhr Vivier", "guid": "91c847bf-f525-5522-8524-3fe05c301034", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/YAFXMF/"}, {"code": "DGBCWC", "name": "Brindon Mwiine", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/DGBCWC_rP8iqgi.webp", "biography": "Brindon Mwiine is a passionate advocate for Bitcoin adoption, and the co-founder of Gorilla Sats, a company promoting Bitcoin-powered tourism in Uganda. \r\n\r\nAs a founder of Bitcoin Kampala, Brindon uses Bitcoin to improve the lives of 113 orphans and has through educational initiatives like My First Bitcoin Diploma classes, Trezor Academy and the impactful \"Eggs & fruits for Sats\" projects fostered the local daily usage of Bitcoin.\r\n\r\nHe is the host of the Bitcoin in Africa Open discussion hosted on 21st of each month.", "public_name": "Brindon Mwiine", "guid": "508f9205-5c98-5138-88d5-bd4cdfa6f107", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/DGBCWC/"}, {"code": "FRBHNF", "name": "Maximalist", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/FRBHNF_VF4Hkrc.webp", "biography": "Organiser, Ops Manager, Social Media Manager, Volunteer Manager, Goodie Bag procurer - basically the jack-of-all-trade behind Adopting Bitcoin Cape Town and Adopting Bitcoin Africa.\r\n\r\nClass of 2021. Came for the party, stayed for the revolution. Triathlete and BJJ practitioner.\r\n\r\nFounder of Tri Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cape Town Monthly Meetup, Bitcoin Stellenbosch Monthly Meetup & Bitcoin Triathletes.", "public_name": "Maximalist", "guid": "669a065c-3006-58f0-9f8c-d0c9bd376aea", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/FRBHNF/"}, {"code": "PMMUEK", "name": "Ronnie Mdawida", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/PMMUEK_49D8adi.webp", "biography": "Ronnie Mdawida is the Co-Founder of the Afribit Kibera project, where he leads the vision implementation, strategy, and expansion of the Kibera Bitcoin circular economy. With a background in Sociology and Community Development, Ronnie is passionate about leveraging Bitcoin to drive financial sovereignty, particularly in regions with limited access to traditional financial systems. In addition to his work with Afribit Kibera, Ronnie oversees The Ronnie Fund's projects and consults for Spatial Collective, where he focuses on community engagement across East Africa. His approach combines social entrepreneurship with technology to create sustainable employment, expand access to education, and promote financial inclusion. Through the adoption of Bitcoin and the development of Bitcoin circular economies, Ronnie strives to empower underserved communities and support their path to economic self-sufficiency.\r\n\r\nhttps://x.com/AfribitKibera", "public_name": "Ronnie Mdawida", "guid": "cb457ae0-1da4-5b0a-9c32-25f6942ab856", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/PMMUEK/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/K7FQ9J/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/K7FQ9J/", "attachments": []}], "Blink": [{"guid": "474792f9-e0eb-58b6-97c2-08291ee45cc0", "code": "WAQ7AQ", "id": 88570, "logo": "https://pretalx.com/media/abcpt26/submissions/WAQ7AQ/Win_3.11_1_1MVH1dF_9ArgPYu__Lbn5lWg.webp", "date": "2026-01-31T11:50:00+02:00", "start": "11:50", "duration": "00:30", "room": "Blink", "slug": "abcpt26-88570-setup-a-shared-lightning-node-for-your-community-in-under-a-minute", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/WAQ7AQ/", "title": "Setup a Shared Lightning Node ...for Your Community, in Under a Minute!", "subtitle": "", "track": "Blink Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "It's easier than previously imagined. Let's demonstrate a revolutionary approach to Lightning Network adoption through a suite of nostr-native tools: [CLINKme.dev](https://CLINKme.dev) (a Nostr-based payment protocol), [Lightning.Pub](https://Lightning.Pub) (sub-60-second Lightning node installation and account system), and [ShockWallet.app](https://ShockWallet.app) (Nostr-integrated wallet designed for both non-technical guests and node administrators).\r\n\r\nBring your device and follow a step-by-step guide on how to launch a shared Lightning node in minutes for you and your community. Share a nostr nprofile to allow others to easily connect to it without the need to install any application. Simply use ShockWallet.app from your mobile browser.\r\n\r\n**Stay tuned, follow [@ShockBTC](https://x.com/ShockBTC)**", "description": "# Presentation slides are available [here](https://cryptpad.fr/slide/#/2/slide/view/UfWmAEsbXsBR4z-pzdPLd5cHi1vljmuaYnVSwvddDNw/embed/present/). Follow the steps and install your own sovereign private Lightning node.\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\nThis workshop showcases how these tools eliminate traditional barriers\u2014no firewall configuration, SSL certificates, or static IPs required, nor manual channel liquidity rebalancing\u2014while enabling communities to create and maintain circular economies through Lightning-fast commerce. The live demo proves a full Lightning node (LND) can be deployed in few minutes on modest hardware like an old laptop (req. 20GB HDD + 4GB RAM).\r\n\r\n**Technical Advantages:**\r\n- Zero network configuration (no firewall, SSL, DNS, static IP)\r\n- All communication through Nostr relays\r\n- Remote administration via ShockWallet\r\n- Outputs an \"nprofile\" connection string for instant wallet pairing\r\n- Auto-start services configured automatically\r\n- Liquidity provider integration for immediate receiving capability\r\n- LSP (Lightning Service Provider) shopping for cost-effective channels\r\n\r\n\r\n**Coming Soon:** Wizard-based GUI for [Start9](https://github.com/shocknet/Lightning.Pub/releases) and Umbrel node distributions (no command line needed).\r\n\r\nShock.Network apps are under active development and in seek of user feedback. You're welcome to try it yourself\u2014the project is FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) available on [GitHub](https://github.com/shocknet) and documented at [docs.Shock.Network](https://docs.Shock.Network).", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": true, "persons": [{"code": "KLG7AT", "name": "Jimmy-Jack Buckstrong", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/KLG7AT_HL45mmz.webp", "biography": "Minimalist, Surfer, Voluntarist, Bitcoiner. Privacy is a right, Sovereignty is responsibility. A stateless society based on principles of self-ownership and non-aggression is possible. Every man (and woman) deserve Freedom, but it is not free.", "public_name": "Jimmy-Jack Buckstrong", "guid": "ca645731-c632-5f39-acbf-21e6f588dada", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/KLG7AT/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/WAQ7AQ/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/WAQ7AQ/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "306f5b5b-c3fe-59c0-8a6e-b48dee61253a", "code": "9LLETX", "id": 88178, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T13:05:00+02:00", "start": "13:05", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Blink", "slug": "abcpt26-88178-buzzwords-break-bitcoin", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/9LLETX/", "title": "Buzzwords Break Bitcoin", "subtitle": "", "track": "Blink Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "In this talk, Gareth Grobler, co-founder of Layerz Wallet, builds on effective onboarding strategies like those shared by Santosh Vadivelu - using relatable, everyday analogies to introduce Bitcoin's core properties (scarcity, unbreakable ownership, and lasting value) without buzzwords or immediately framing it as 'money.'", "description": "Drawing from real-world experiences in emerging markets, we'll explore practical metaphors - from limited-edition collectables and professional tools to tailored curiosity-sparkers - that make Bitcoin intuitive and exciting for newcomers. Attendees will walk away with actionable storytelling techniques to effectively engage friends, family, and communities, accelerating grassroots adoption across Africa and beyond.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "YQ3W39", "name": "Gareth Grobler", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/YQ3W39_HoujbTq.webp", "biography": "Gareth Grobler is a South African Bitcoin advocate with over a decade in the space. He co-founded one of Africa's earliest cryptocurrency platforms in 2012 and is now building Layerz Wallet - a beginner-friendly self-custodial wallet supporting Lightning, Liquid, Ark, Spark and emerging Bitcoin layers. Passionate about grassroots adoption and intuitive onboarding in emerging markets, Gareth is a husband, father, and dedicated kitesurfer committed to making Bitcoin accessible for everyday users across Africa.", "public_name": "Gareth Grobler", "guid": "cc57905c-c1d4-5130-86c4-f7c96aa38e47", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/YQ3W39/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/9LLETX/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/9LLETX/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "d4e6e192-7211-59ee-ad4f-3b8cec3aebc6", "code": "ETAU7Q", "id": 84623, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T13:30:00+02:00", "start": "13:30", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Blink", "slug": "abcpt26-84623-building-resilient-communities-with-bitcoin", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/ETAU7Q/", "title": "Building Resilient Communities with Bitcoin", "subtitle": "", "track": "Blink Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Bitcoin stands out as a lifeline for millions of unbanked and underbanked communities lacking secure savings, Bitcoin offers resilience. This talk highlights Bitsavers Eduhub, an initiative empowering youth and campus students to take charge of their financial futures. Through education in self\u2011custody, dollar\u2011cost averaging, and a community\u2011driven circular economy, students learn to \u201cbe their own bank.\u201d With 62 graduates, 278 applicants across 20+ countries, and campus events averaging 150 participants, we show how grassroots Bitcoin education transforms vulnerable groups into empowered networks of self\u2011reliance. Attendees will gain insights into replicable adoption models, explore how a circular economy can foster sustainable prosperity, and share lessons on what works and what can be improved. By equipping this generation with tools for sovereignty, Bitcoin becomes a foundation for sustainable, community\u2011driven prosperity.", "description": "In regions where households remain unbanked or underbanked, where fiat systems erode savings and the fiat system stifles creativity, Bitcoin emerges as a decentralized alternative that restores agency and resilience.\r\n\r\nBitsavers Eduhub was founded to bridge this gap by equipping African youth with practical Bitcoin education and guiding them on their journey to financial sovereignty. Through our 15\u2011session open\u2011source curriculum, students learn the fundamentals of Bitcoin, the discipline of dollar\u2011cost averaging, and the critical importance of self\u2011custody. Beyond theory, we foster adoption through a circular economy, enabling merchants and students to transact in Bitcoin while still engaging with fiat systems.\r\n\r\nOur impact so far includes two successful virtual cohorts, 62 graduates, applications from 20+ countries, and campus events attracting 150 participants. We have built communities, supported merchants in adopting Bitcoin payment solutions, and demonstrated that grassroots adoption is not only possible but scalable when communities take ownership of their financial future.\r\n\r\nThis session will share lessons from building a Bitcoin\u2011first educational project in Africa, focusing on replicable models of education, community engagement, and a circular economy. Attendees will discover how empowering youth and campus students with Bitcoin literacy creates ripple effects such as strengthening resilience, fostering innovation, and building parallel institutions that thrive where centralized systems fall short.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "QNRX7Z", "name": "Linda Wambui", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/QNRX7Z_Htpx0ma.webp", "biography": "Linda Wambui Kariuki is the Founder of Bitsavers Eduhub and Host at Trezor Academy Kenya, dedicated to empowering African youth through Bitcoin education, financial literacy, and self-sovereignty. She has developed an 18-session open-source curriculum that teaches fundamentals, dollar-cost averaging, and self-custody, reaching learners in over 20 countries with 62 graduates and more than 100 applicants in the latest cohort. Through campus events, circular economies, and merchant adoption programs, Linda demonstrates how Bitcoin can strengthen resilience in regions facing inflation and currency instability. Collaborating with civic organizations and global networks, she champions Bitcoin as a foundation for empowerment, prosperity, and lasting change.", "public_name": "Linda Wambui", "guid": "d50779f5-7d5e-54ed-a4c2-0b0aca05d106", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/QNRX7Z/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/ETAU7Q/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/ETAU7Q/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "e81494d6-c03b-5a73-a198-e65a1087f768", "code": "HUL3BB", "id": 86611, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T13:55:00+02:00", "start": "13:55", "duration": "00:25", "room": "Blink", "slug": "abcpt26-86611-why-africa-needs-a-currency-no-one-can-control", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/HUL3BB/", "title": "Why Africa Needs a Currency No One Can Control", "subtitle": "", "track": "Blink Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Africa\u2019s economic history has been shaped by externally imposed currencies, capital controls, and monetary systems that weakened sovereignty and trust. These dynamics continue to limit mobility, cross-border trade, and long-term planning across the continent.\r\n\r\nThis session explores Bitcoin as parallel monetary infrastructure relevant to Africa\u2019s lived realities. Drawing on experience working with diaspora investors, entrepreneurs, and relocating families, it examines how Bitcoin\u2019s neutrality and borderless design can reduce friction created by fragmented currencies, unstable trust environments, and constrained access to financial rails.\r\n\r\nThe conversation focuses on political economy and adoption pathways, including grassroots communities and diaspora capital flows. Bitcoin\u2019s future in Africa will be shaped by people choosing resilience, coordination, and monetary self-determination.", "description": "Africa\u2019s relationship with money has long been shaped by externally imposed currencies, capital controls, and financial systems that prioritize extraction over participation. These structures have constrained trust, limited mobility, and weakened economic self-determination across the continent and its global diaspora.\r\nThis talk examines Bitcoin\u2019s relevance to Africa through the lens of political economy, sovereignty, and real-world adoption. Rather than focusing on price cycles or technical mechanics, it situates Bitcoin as a parallel monetary infrastructure capable of operating alongside existing systems where institutional trust is limited and access remains uneven.\r\nDrawing on hands-on work with diaspora investors, entrepreneurs, and families building across multiple African markets, the session explores how fragmented currencies, cross-border friction, and regulatory constraints shape everyday economic decisions. It highlights the role of grassroots adoption, diaspora capital flows, and community-led parallel institutions in accelerating Bitcoin usage without reliance on centralized authorities.\r\nThe discussion positions Bitcoin as a tool for economic resilience and coordination rather than speculation. It invites attendees to consider how neutral, borderless money can support trade, mobility, and long-term planning in environments shaped by historical and structural imbalance.\r\nFor those engaged in Bitcoin adoption, Africa offers critical insights into how monetary sovereignty emerges in practice. This session connects those insights to the broader global conversation on self-sovereignty, trust, and the future of parallel systems.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "DN3YVV", "name": "Ashley Cleveland", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/DN3YVV_Mfx77Gu.webp", "biography": "Ashley Cleveland is a Global Strategist, economist, and founder of Africa-focused investment and relocation platforms that have supported over 100 diaspora families and entrepreneurs building lives and businesses across the continent. Her work sits at the intersection of African political economy, diaspora capital, and sovereign relocation.\r\nShe has advised investors, partnered with legal and financial institutions across Southern and East Africa, and collaborated with Pan-African policy bodies focused on diaspora engagement and economic self-determination. While not a Bitcoin developer, her expertise lies in how money systems succeed or fail in the real world, particularly in post-colonial and emerging markets.\r\nAshley approaches Bitcoin through the lens of sovereignty, trust, and lived adoption, asking not whether Bitcoin works in theory, but why it may be necessary in practice for Africa\u2019s economic future.", "public_name": "Ashley Cleveland", "guid": "4e81f6bf-a455-54ee-96a9-9c2496092792", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/DN3YVV/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/HUL3BB/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/HUL3BB/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "4cd06e13-8303-5632-a75e-5dfde9be6f53", "code": "P8QWMG", "id": 86705, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T14:25:00+02:00", "start": "14:25", "duration": "00:40", "room": "Blink", "slug": "abcpt26-86705-making-bitcoin-development-more-accessible-with-the-fedimint-web-sdk", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/P8QWMG/", "title": "Making Bitcoin Development More Accessible with the Fedimint Web SDK", "subtitle": "", "track": "Blink Stage", "type": "Workshop", "language": "en", "abstract": "How do you help developers move from hearing about Bitcoin projects to actually building with them? This workshop shares our experiences working with the Fedimint Web SDK across African developer communities, starting with partnerships like Africa Free Routing and Dada Devs, then expanding to BitDevs meetups across the continent.\r\nWe'll share what we've learned about bridging the gap between Bitcoin discussions and hands-on development. We'll explore the \"build in 30 minutes\" approach using the Fedimint Web SDK, an attempt to make contribution more accessible, and discuss partnership models we've been experimenting with across Nigerian, Kenyan, and other African communities.\r\nThis is an open conversation about making Bitcoin development more approachable, with practical examples from our work.", "description": "- Brief overview of our journey working with African developer communities\r\n- Quick demonstration of the Fedimint Web SDK (showing how accessible it can be)\r\n- Discussion of partnership models: lessons from Africa Free Routing, Dada Devs, and BitDevs communities\r\n- Interactive conversation about implementing similar programs in different contexts.\r\nThe format is interactive and designed for both developers and community organizers and attendees will gain technical insight into the Fedimint Web SDK.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "RQSMWF", "name": "Wanjiru Mariru", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/RQSMWF_9rAEta9.webp", "biography": "Wanjiru Mariru works at the intersection of open-source Bitcoin development, developer education, and community building. She works closely with the Fedimint project and is actively involved in exploring how the Fedimint Web SDK can be used as an accessible entry point for developers across different backgrounds.\r\n\r\nHer work focuses on designing practical, hands-on learning experiences that help developers move from initial curiosity about Bitcoin technologies to real participation in open-source projects.\r\n\r\nWanjiru is passionate about open collaboration, knowledge sharing, and growing sustainable Bitcoin developer communities in Africa. She believes that approachable entry points help strengthen the Bitcoin ecosystem and invite more people to contribute meaningfully.", "public_name": "Wanjiru Mariru", "guid": "e9e9247b-a7ca-538c-9fda-64424d6dd23b", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/RQSMWF/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/P8QWMG/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/P8QWMG/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "ca253f15-69af-5052-b4b1-ca7bef250ad6", "code": "MPLGZN", "id": 87832, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T15:10:00+02:00", "start": "15:10", "duration": "00:40", "room": "Blink", "slug": "abcpt26-87832-bitcoin-circular-economies-in-africa", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/MPLGZN/", "title": "Bitcoin Circular Economies in Africa", "subtitle": "", "track": "Blink Stage", "type": "Panel", "language": "en", "abstract": "Bitcoin Circular Economies in Africa", "description": "Bitcoin Circular Economies in Africa", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "LHQ9ZA", "name": "Josef T\u011btek", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/LHQ9ZA_KFQRAQm.webp", "biography": "Josef is a bitcoiner with a passion for bitcoin education. Josef currently leads the Trezor Academy, a non-profit educational initiative with the goal to bring Bitcoin awareness to places where it is needed the most. Author of Bitcoin: Separation of Money and State.", "public_name": "Josef T\u011btek", "guid": "f42874f3-4f0d-5072-b927-0978f912dbf6", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/LHQ9ZA/"}, {"code": "UVEKZX", "name": "Bely\u00ef Nobel Kubwayo", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/UVEKZX_j98foSF.webp", "biography": "Bely\u00ef Nobel Kubwayo\r\nFounder, BTC Shule | Burundi\r\n\r\nBely\u00ef is a Burundian Bitcoiner, economist, and social entrepreneur. He leads BTC Shule, a rural Bitcoin initiative that combines education, circular economy, and sustainable development in Burundi. A Certified Bitcoin Professional (CBP), he also holds credentials from Saylor Academy and Bitcoin For Fairness. Bely\u00ef is passionate about financial sovereignty and is currently writing a book on Bitcoin\u2019s impact in Africa.\r\n\r\nX: @belyi_nobel\r\nNostr: npub1t3vw7pz8l546p2jrsttxku6g4g4h4ur2k7049ar74cvu5kjnmqcs5hdlv0", "public_name": "Bely\u00ef Nobel Kubwayo", "guid": "31759262-4cce-5139-8ad9-99d283c522ec", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/UVEKZX/"}, {"code": "DGBCWC", "name": "Brindon Mwiine", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/DGBCWC_rP8iqgi.webp", "biography": "Brindon Mwiine is a passionate advocate for Bitcoin adoption, and the co-founder of Gorilla Sats, a company promoting Bitcoin-powered tourism in Uganda. \r\n\r\nAs a founder of Bitcoin Kampala, Brindon uses Bitcoin to improve the lives of 113 orphans and has through educational initiatives like My First Bitcoin Diploma classes, Trezor Academy and the impactful \"Eggs & fruits for Sats\" projects fostered the local daily usage of Bitcoin.\r\n\r\nHe is the host of the Bitcoin in Africa Open discussion hosted on 21st of each month.", "public_name": "Brindon Mwiine", "guid": "508f9205-5c98-5138-88d5-bd4cdfa6f107", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/DGBCWC/"}, {"code": "8AFNSL", "name": "Daniel Ngaywa", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/8AFNSL_KpqzhIu.webp", "biography": "Dan is the Circular Economy Manager for Bitcoin Babies. For the past year, he has been responsible for building and maintaining the local merchant network in our community. He connects the foundation\u2019s social program with the local economy by ensuring that the mothers can spend their weekly donations at participating shops. Dan works directly with entrepreneurs\u2014from supermarkets to service providers\u2014guiding them on how to accept payments and helping them understand how bitcoin allows them to retain the value of their hard work.", "public_name": "Daniel Ngaywa", "guid": "abbae600-9958-5c74-a4ff-3bdb6117fdf2", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/8AFNSL/"}, {"code": "PMMUEK", "name": "Ronnie Mdawida", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/PMMUEK_49D8adi.webp", "biography": "Ronnie Mdawida is the Co-Founder of the Afribit Kibera project, where he leads the vision implementation, strategy, and expansion of the Kibera Bitcoin circular economy. With a background in Sociology and Community Development, Ronnie is passionate about leveraging Bitcoin to drive financial sovereignty, particularly in regions with limited access to traditional financial systems. In addition to his work with Afribit Kibera, Ronnie oversees The Ronnie Fund's projects and consults for Spatial Collective, where he focuses on community engagement across East Africa. His approach combines social entrepreneurship with technology to create sustainable employment, expand access to education, and promote financial inclusion. Through the adoption of Bitcoin and the development of Bitcoin circular economies, Ronnie strives to empower underserved communities and support their path to economic self-sufficiency.\r\n\r\nhttps://x.com/AfribitKibera", "public_name": "Ronnie Mdawida", "guid": "cb457ae0-1da4-5b0a-9c32-25f6942ab856", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/PMMUEK/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/MPLGZN/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/MPLGZN/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "a50c9586-aaeb-5f7c-878c-3f1a21cc42ee", "code": "WU7Q9X", "id": 86062, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T15:55:00+02:00", "start": "15:55", "duration": "00:40", "room": "Blink", "slug": "abcpt26-86062-scaling-bitcoin-second-layer-solutions-and-tradeoffs", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/WU7Q9X/", "title": "Scaling Bitcoin - Second Layer Solutions and Tradeoffs", "subtitle": "", "track": "Blink Stage", "type": "Panel", "language": "en", "abstract": "Bitcoin\u2019s base layer prioritizes security and decentralization, but this comes with strict limits on throughput and latency. As Bitcoin adoption grows, second-layer solutions are becoming essential to scale usage without compromising core properties.\r\n\r\nThis panel explores the current landscape of Bitcoin scaling approaches, including the Lightning Network, transaction batching techniques, and emerging Layer 2 designs. Panelists will discuss architectural tradeoffs around custody, trust assumptions, liquidity, finality, and user experience, highlighting where different solutions excel, where they fall short, and what open questions remain for scaling Bitcoin sustainably.", "description": "Bitcoin\u2019s conservative design ensures robustness and neutrality, but also imposes hard constraints on transaction capacity and confirmation times. To scale Bitcoin for broader adoption, a growing ecosystem of second-layer solutions has emerged, each making different tradeoffs between security, trust, liquidity, and usability.\r\n\r\nThis panel brings together researchers, builders, and practitioners to examine how Bitcoin scales beyond the base layer. Topics include the Lightning Network, transaction batching models, channel-based and UTXO-sharing approaches, and newer Layer 2 proposals. Panelists will compare trust models (custodial vs. non-custodial, preconfirmation vs. finality), discuss operational challenges such as liquidity provision and mass exits, and explore how user experience and reliability shape real-world adoption.\r\n\r\nThe discussion aims to move beyond slogans and clarify the design space of Bitcoin L2s: what problems different approaches actually solve, what risks they introduce, and how these systems may evolve together rather than compete. The panel is intended for a technically curious audience seeking a clearer mental model of Bitcoin scaling tradeoffs.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "PR3ZJA", "name": "Ricki Allardice", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/PR3ZJA_WQutlRD.webp", "biography": "Ricki Allardice, is a scientist, entrepreneur and Bitcoin evangelist from Cape Town, South Africa. He has a diverse professional history, including the biological sciences where he conducted research and development on soil and plant health products; asset and wealth management and the fin-tech startup space. \r\n\r\nFor the past 4 years he has been focussed on Bitcoin only startups, primarily building products and solutions which make self custody simpler and more attainable for the average user.\r\n\r\nRicki is the CEO and co-founder of Orange, a Lightning services company which connects african currencies to the Lightning network to facilitate cross border payments at the speed of light. \r\n\r\nHe also runs his own consulting service called Bitcoin Only, which assists individuals, businesses and trusts in their respective Bitcoin strategies, distributes sovereignty promoting hardware and Bitcoin key management for the long term.\r\n\r\nTwitter: @BitcoinOnlyZA\r\nNostr: npub1aj9k43cmuqdh23un8f25nzdudpep9vaeumte5v7ran7f697y7dgswjw6h3\r\nWebsite: www.bitcoinonly.io", "public_name": "Ricki Allardice", "guid": "42a955ef-28fa-570c-a813-9125896f8cf8", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/PR3ZJA/"}, {"code": "QDHEV7", "name": "Veronika K\u00fctt", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/QDHEV7_W4tVY9Q.webp", "biography": "Veronika K\u00fctt is a researcher and strategist with a long-term focus on Bitcoin. With a background in mathematics and a strong analytical approach, she studies and designs Bitcoin-native Layer 2 protocols and their implications for the future of digital economies. She takes a holistic approach to exploring new ways of living together and alternative governance models, thinking about the future of human systems through the lens of technology and longevity. Veronika currently contributes to Ark Labs, where she researches Arkade, an execution layer built on Ark, to advance Bitcoin toward programmable money.", "public_name": "Veronika K\u00fctt", "guid": "2f6c0770-5cdd-5ef9-9947-72b5ef9ed6f1", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/QDHEV7/"}, {"code": "NKFTZN", "name": "joschisan", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/NKFTZN_xK4OYd5.webp", "biography": "Mathematician working on Fedimint\r\n\r\nhttps://x.com/joschisanbtc", "public_name": "joschisan", "guid": "060b0648-1831-5ca8-8deb-30aaa9c71042", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/NKFTZN/"}, {"code": "YQ3W39", "name": "Gareth Grobler", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/YQ3W39_HoujbTq.webp", "biography": "Gareth Grobler is a South African Bitcoin advocate with over a decade in the space. He co-founded one of Africa's earliest cryptocurrency platforms in 2012 and is now building Layerz Wallet - a beginner-friendly self-custodial wallet supporting Lightning, Liquid, Ark, Spark and emerging Bitcoin layers. Passionate about grassroots adoption and intuitive onboarding in emerging markets, Gareth is a husband, father, and dedicated kitesurfer committed to making Bitcoin accessible for everyday users across Africa.", "public_name": "Gareth Grobler", "guid": "cc57905c-c1d4-5130-86c4-f7c96aa38e47", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/YQ3W39/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/WU7Q9X/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/WU7Q9X/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "3debe244-3e4a-5c22-a808-c8b2b1e93de5", "code": "JG7TXR", "id": 81924, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T16:40:00+02:00", "start": "16:40", "duration": "00:20", "room": "Blink", "slug": "abcpt26-81924-beyond-lagos-and-nairobi-bitcoin-adoption-in-africa-s-overlooked-regions", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/JG7TXR/", "title": "Beyond Lagos and Nairobi: Bitcoin Adoption in Africa's Overlooked Regions", "subtitle": "", "track": "Blink Stage", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "Bitcoin adoption in Africa is often framed around cities like Lagos and Nairobi. But the real story is unfolding in overlooked regions where financial exclusion is deepest. Drawing from our work at African Bitcoiners and Africa Free Routing, this talk shares how seminars, mentorships, lightning bootcamps, and community tools are helping ordinary people truly \u2018get\u2019 Bitcoin \u2014 not just as an idea, but as something they can use in daily life.", "description": "When people talk about Bitcoin in Africa, the conversation often stops at Lagos, Nairobi, or Cape Town. But in overlooked regions, far from the big city spotlight, Bitcoin adoption is happening at the grassroots level \u2014 in community halls, local meetups, and mentorship sessions. In this talk, I\u2019ll share the work we\u2019re doing at African Bitcoiners and Africa Free Routing to onboard people into the Bitcoin ecosystem through seminars, mentorship programs, lightning bootcamps, and hands-on tools that make Bitcoin practical and relatable. The focus is on moving beyond theory. Attendees will come away with a clear picture of how these grassroots efforts are building the foundation for Bitcoin\u2019s future in Africa, especially in regions often ignored in mainstream narratives.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "W33UBU", "name": "Satoshee", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/W33UBU_nLySNjw.webp", "biography": "Satoshee was born and raised in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria, and studied Software Engineering in Ghana. Beginning his career as a frontend developer before moving into UI/UX and graphic design, he discovered Bitcoin through a friend and became deeply curious about its transformative potential for Africa.\r\n\r\nToday, he is passionate about educating Africans on how Bitcoin addresses challenges such as inflation, financial exclusion, and cross-border payments. His work reflects this mission: at African Bitcoiners, he helps drive the creation of educational resources such as the Bitcoin for Beginners course, the African Bitcoin Ecosystem Infographic, the Bitcoin Starter Book, the Mining Report, and interactive tools like the Inflation Simulator and Bitcoin Savings Calculator. He also organizes a monthly Bitcoin awareness meetup in his community. \r\n\r\nThrough Africa Free Routing, he helps train the next generation of Bitcoin developers via Lightning Development Bootcamps (already hosted in five African cities), and drives merchant adoption through the Africa Bitcoin Retail Initiative. Recently, he led the organization of the first-ever Bitcoin Summit in Northern Nigeria.\r\n\r\nIn addition, he mentors women in hackathons across Nigeria\u2014particularly from Northern Nigeria\u2014helping them learn about Bitcoin and use design to bring their solutions to life.\r\n\r\nHis mission is clear: to empower Africans with the knowledge and tools to leverage Bitcoin as a pathway to freedom and economic resilience.", "public_name": "Satoshee", "guid": "93d1767c-2617-5140-b38e-32258400cbb1", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/W33UBU/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/JG7TXR/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/JG7TXR/", "attachments": []}], "BTrust": [{"guid": "d6c44c1c-7b9e-5b18-a8c7-727e5cfe2dd5", "code": "K8UWS7", "id": 88847, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T11:50:00+02:00", "start": "11:50", "duration": "00:30", "room": "BTrust", "slug": "abcpt26-88847-pechakucha-style-presentation", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/K8UWS7/", "title": "Pechakucha-style Presentation", "subtitle": "", "track": "BTrust Workshop Room", "type": "Talk", "language": "en", "abstract": "This informal yet dynamic session allows participants to pitch their Bitcoin-related projects in just 5 minutes, sharing their innovations, ideas, and contributions to the Bitcoin ecosystem. \r\n\r\nIt's an exciting opportunity for attendees to showcase their work and engage with the broader Bitcoin community.\r\n\r\nWhether you're curious about the latest Bitcoin innovations or interested in getting involved, this session is a must-watch for anyone looking to discover new projects and network with like-minded individuals.\r\n\r\nEach speaker has 5-minutes and a maximum of 5-slides to present something they are working on in the Bitcoin space.", "description": "This informal yet dynamic session allows participants to pitch their Bitcoin-related projects in just 5 minutes, sharing their innovations, ideas, and contributions to the Bitcoin ecosystem. \r\n\r\nIt's an exciting opportunity for attendees to showcase their work and engage with the broader Bitcoin community.\r\n\r\nWhether you're curious about the latest Bitcoin innovations or interested in getting involved, this session is a must-watch for anyone looking to discover new projects and network with like-minded individuals.\r\n\r\nEach speaker has 5-minutes and a maximum of 5-slides to present something they are working on in the Bitcoin space.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "FRBHNF", "name": "Maximalist", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/FRBHNF_VF4Hkrc.webp", "biography": "Organiser, Ops Manager, Social Media Manager, Volunteer Manager, Goodie Bag procurer - basically the jack-of-all-trade behind Adopting Bitcoin Cape Town and Adopting Bitcoin Africa.\r\n\r\nClass of 2021. Came for the party, stayed for the revolution. Triathlete and BJJ practitioner.\r\n\r\nFounder of Tri Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cape Town Monthly Meetup, Bitcoin Stellenbosch Monthly Meetup & Bitcoin Triathletes.", "public_name": "Maximalist", "guid": "669a065c-3006-58f0-9f8c-d0c9bd376aea", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/FRBHNF/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/K8UWS7/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/K8UWS7/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "0ae0c45e-8124-5ed6-b42c-57d740b5e0af", "code": "CRHJNE", "id": 88555, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T13:05:00+02:00", "start": "13:05", "duration": "00:45", "room": "BTrust", "slug": "abcpt26-88555-cole-s-famous-self-custody-beginner-s-workshop", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/CRHJNE/", "title": "Cole's famous self-custody beginner's workshop", "subtitle": "", "track": "BTrust Workshop Room", "type": "Workshop", "language": "en", "abstract": "Cole's famous self-custody beginner's workshop", "description": "When FTX collapsed overnight, billions in customer funds disappeared. 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Josef currently leads the Trezor Academy, a non-profit educational initiative with the goal to bring Bitcoin awareness to places where it is needed the most. Author of Bitcoin: Separation of Money and State.", "public_name": "Josef T\u011btek", "guid": "f42874f3-4f0d-5072-b927-0978f912dbf6", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/LHQ9ZA/"}, {"code": "BYMXX7", "name": "Nikolai Okin Tjongarero", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/BYMXX7_MOWJnXH.webp", "biography": "OKIN (Nikolai Tjongarero, MBA) is the Founder of OKIN.Ent under which he created the initiatives EasySats & BTC Mining Namibia. \r\n\r\nHe is known as a Published & Spoken Word Poet, Digital Entrepreneur, Bitcoin Builder, Educator, Miner & Node Runner, collectively a Digital Disruptor, who strongly believes in the unique possibilities Bitcoin use-cases can bring to Namibians & our fellow Africans at large. \r\n\r\nHe was named the 1st African Podcaster to be paid in BTC, continent-wide, Top 10 Most Impactful African Bitcoiner (Twice - 10th in 2023 & 8th in 2024) & is the innovator of the SovereignKey, a Bitcoin & FreedomTech \u201cSwiss-Army Knife\u201d that transforms a computer into your own personal, secure & private work station.\r\n\r\nCo-Host for Adopting Bitcoin Cape Town 2025 & was most recently a Speaker at the 1st African Bitcoin Conference Diaspora edition in Boston, USA (2025), he was previously a Speaker at both the African Bitcoin Conference in Nairobi, Kenya (2024), at Adopting Bitcoin Cape Town, South Africa (2024) as well as being named the Keynote Speaker at the launch of Machankura in Nairobi, Kenya (2023).\r\n\r\nHe further hosted the 1st Trezor Academy Namibia Educational Session (2024) & the 1st Bitcoin Only Media Training Event (2024).\r\n\r\nNikolai is committed to hands-on Bitcoin education & building Freedom-Tech solutions for Namibians & the greater African continent.", "public_name": "Nikolai Okin Tjongarero", "guid": "261f54e0-927b-559e-8513-96f5dda6155b", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/BYMXX7/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/LYDEA8/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/LYDEA8/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "6727f7e3-6649-530e-b00b-e31d7c6c8534", "code": "HHPV8G", "id": 88557, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T14:45:00+02:00", "start": "14:45", "duration": "00:45", "room": "BTrust", "slug": "abcpt26-88557-start9-labs-building-a-server", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/HHPV8G/", "title": "Start9 Labs - Building a Server", "subtitle": "", "track": "BTrust Workshop Room", "type": "Workshop", "language": "en", "abstract": "Cryptosquid", "description": "We will be setting up a DIY server and discussing the differences in doing so VS buying and setting up a server directly from Start9.", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "TNBNX3", "name": "Cryptosquid", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/TNBNX3_w2NV6SV.webp", "biography": "Cryptosquid is a self-taught tinkerer turned advocate for privacy, freedom and self-sovereignty. \r\n\r\nAt Start9, he works across tech support, and outreach making sovereign servers accessible to a wide audience and sharing his experience in meetups and stages worldwide.\r\n\r\nX - https://x.com/The_Cryptosquid\r\nNostr - https://njump.me/nprofile1qy88wumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmv9uq3xamnwvaz7tmsw4e8qmr9wpskwtn9wvhsqg9dc5fhl8u85v7p7frpxj0uk7j6fcjme43s2p56x9uwjejtz4fxrys8gruf", "public_name": "Cryptosquid", "guid": "59ceed34-9ffb-5ab0-b5e5-0bd779da240d", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/TNBNX3/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/HHPV8G/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/HHPV8G/", "attachments": []}, {"guid": "1a949d91-6b6c-59b9-9025-f837496ab335", "code": "HWXG9A", "id": 88564, "logo": null, "date": "2026-01-31T15:35:00+02:00", "start": "15:35", "duration": "00:45", "room": "BTrust", "slug": "abcpt26-88564-fedi-workshop", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/HWXG9A/", "title": "Fedi Workshop", "subtitle": "", "track": "BTrust Workshop Room", "type": "Workshop", "language": "en", "abstract": "Learn to use Bitcoin in everyday life with this hands-on Fedi workshop. Participants will master chat for direct messaging and payments, explore mini-apps for real-world transactions, and discover how Fedi Communities and Federations organize essential tools while maintaining strong privacy. Sats prizes to be won!", "description": "Learn to use Bitcoin in everyday life with this hands-on Fedi workshop. Participants will master chat for direct messaging and payments, explore mini-apps for real-world transactions, and discover how Fedi Communities and Federations organize essential tools while maintaining strong privacy. Sats prizes to be won!", "recording_license": "", "do_not_record": false, "persons": [{"code": "87NRMU", "name": "Modibe Matsepane", "avatar": "https://pretalx.com/media/avatars/87NRMU_F1NAWXN.webp", "biography": "Modibe is the Africa Community Master for Fedi. Modibe worked with different communities around the continent to educate and empower communities with Bitcoin use cases such as remittance, cross-border payments, and entrepreneurship among others. Modibe has appeared in various media houses to promote and educate people on best practices to access and use Bitcoin, and led campus tours, meet-ups, and public talks. He has worked with leading P2P marketplaces like Paxful and Noones to accelerate adoption in Africa.\r\nModibe\u2019s mission is to unite communities through correct onboarding to the Bitcoin economy via education and day-to-day Bitcoin use cases. In addition to working on bitcoin, Modibe is an MBA student with Stellenbosch Business School.\r\n\r\nhttps://x.com/Modibe_", "public_name": "Modibe Matsepane", "guid": "8c186b82-f2ad-5845-a073-4a49a2db67f3", "url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/speaker/87NRMU/"}], "links": [], "feedback_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/HWXG9A/feedback/", "origin_url": "https://pretalx.com/abcpt26/talk/HWXG9A/", "attachments": []}]}}]}}}