Political donations aplenty: Event recap for North American Blockchain Summit
Once branded for a Texas-specific audience, the North American Blockchain Summit (NABS) shook things up in 2023 — changing its location and name as many United States lawmakers prepared for an election season.
Hundreds of crypto and blockchain enthusiasts gathered in Fort Worth, Texas from Nov. 15-17 to network, discuss mining, and listen to politicians and industry leaders talk about developments in policy and regulation affecting the space. Among the headliners of the event were longshot Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and current lawmakers including Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis and Texas Senator Ted Cruz.
Patriotism and U.S.-centered interests seemed to be the theme at NABS in 2023. Daily events kicked off with the playing of the U.S. national anthem on trumpet as a digital American flag waved on screen, and doors were open to exclusive fundraisers with many speakers in exchange for a sizable donation. In RFK Jr.’s case, the recommended donation started at $1,000; for Ramaswamy, $3,300 for an attendee; for Lummis and Cruz, $250.
Such a fun panel at @NABSummit chatting about the latest on crypto legislation, the SEC, and the 2024 election. Thanks @srolondon @WarrenDavidson @CoryGardner @SWBauguess for a substantive discussion! pic.twitter.com/RHuIgtCthM
In both 2021 and 2022, the Texas Blockchain Council — one of the main organizers for the conference — hadn’t hosted the event prior to a major U.S. election. Attendance appeared to be low in November 2022 amid a crypto market downtown and the collapse of the FTX exchange. In 2023, the event included QR codes linked to campaign websites scattered across lounge areas and calls to donate to
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