Ireland to host debut Bitcoin conference

Ireland is to hold the first ever Bitcoin finance conference in July when promoters of the digital currency will discuss how it could change the world.

The rise of the currency, that has gone from being merely an internet plaything with little or no real value, to a single bitcoin almost equalling the value of an ounce of gold at the peak of its value, has raised questions for central banks and law enforcement.

Founder of Bitfin conference, Fergal Murray, said that the conference will aim to address the main questions raised by the emergence of the digital currency.

“Bitcoin is moving from experiment to legitimate currency and payment system, but that’s just the first act. It’s also a protocol that can transform the way people and corporations track information and assets. There are big questions to consider. How will financial institutions adapt to a technology that threatens their dominance? What happens if inflationary and deflationary currencies collide at scale? What does it mean for law enforcement, national security and civil liberties? How can we strike a balance between openness and regulation?” he said.

Among the speakers already lined up to address the conference is the head of Irish payment giants Realex payments, Colm Lyon.

CurrencyFair CEO Brett Meyers and Electronic Frontier Foundation activism director Rainey Reitman will also participate.

The Bitcoin Finance 2014 Conference and Expo will take place in Dublin on July 3 and 4 at the Royal Dublin Society, with social events planned throughout the city.