- The Palacio de Cibeles transformed Madrid into a spectacular official meeting point for the most prominent players in the WEB3 ecosystems of Europe and Latin America, featuring the presence of corporations, institutions, and regulators.
- The wide array of presentations exceeded expectations, with standout topics such as regulation, the adoption of stablecoins, plans for the first CBDCs, innovation in the financial sector, advancements in the DeFi ecosystem, the adoption of new technologies, and how major WEB2 corporations are making the leap to WEB3.
Madrid, Spain, October 14, 2024 – Merge Madrid 24 has come to a close after three intense days of innovation, networking, and immersive experiences, cementing Spain’s capital as a global epicenter for the blockchain and Web3 ecosystem. With over 2,500 attendees, 220 international speakers, and participation from some of the world’s leading corporations and startups, the event has exceeded all expectations, laying the groundwork for new editions in Buenos Aires and Madrid in 2025.
A VIP Dinner Kick-Off and High-Level Networking
The event kicked off on October 8 with the exclusive Polkadot VIP Dinner at the Círculo de Bellas Artes, where more than 350 blockchain leaders and experts gathered to enjoy an evening of networking in one of Madrid’s most iconic venues. This dinner acted as a catalyst for strategic connections, which continued throughout the event in dedicated spaces, facilitating hundreds of key meetings to drive collaboration and innovation in the sector.
One of the Highlights: The Innovative Startups Competition
Merge Madrid also spotlighted emerging talent with the Startup Competition sponsored by Tritemius, which brought together 19 finalists from verticals such as real estate tokenization, carbon credit tokenization, community management, and WEB3 cybersecurity, among others. After a fiercely contested battle, Pentestify was crowned the winner for its innovative digital security and audit solution. This competition underscored Merge’s commitment to supporting startups driving change and disruption in the WEB3 ecosystem.
Madrid at the Forefront: Spain’s First National Blockchain Network
A key moment of the event was the announcement that the regional government of the Comunidad de Madrid will lead the creation of Spain’s first National Blockchain Services Network, scheduled for 2025. Aligned with the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI), this project will allow Spain to innovate in sectors such as finance, automotive, and logistics, among others. With this announcement, Madrid reinforces its position as a technological and blockchain leader in Europe.
World-Class Speakers and Global Corporations
Merge Madrid 24 welcomed leaders from major global corporations such as PayPal, Adidas, Mastercard, BBVA, Banco Santander, Telefónica, BTG Pactual, and SAP, who led discussions on the future of blockchain technology across various sectors. High-level speakers delivered talks on key topics such as global crypto regulation, tokenization of physical-backed assets, blockchain interoperability, and the evolution of digital asset payments.
Among the most noteworthy roundtables was one on global crypto regulation, bringing together regulators from the CNV of Argentina, CVM of Brazil, and the European Banking Authority. Key interventions also focused on the impact of the MiCA law in Europe, the 21st-century payments ecosystem with stablecoins, the new creator economy paradigm powered by Web3, and how the fusion of AI and blockchain is shaping new business models.
Sponsors and Institutional Support
The success of Merge Madrid is owed in large part to the support of major sponsors driving blockchain innovation. Companies like Arbitrum and Circle led the charge, along with other key players such as ATH21, BingX, Bit2Me, Bitget, Bitso, Polkadot, Ripple, Taurus SA, TRM Labs, Asensi Abogados, Boerse Stuttgart Digital, Bybit, Chainalysis, Chainlink, finReg360, Grant Thornton, Lirium, Parfin, Polygon, and Stakely.
Merge Madrid also received backing from important institutions, including the Comunidad de Madrid and the Ayuntamiento de Madrid, who were joined by members of Latin American chambers of commerce and fintech organizations, alongside representatives of previously mentioned regulators: Roberto E. Silva (President of Argentina’s National Securities Commission) and Pedro Castelar (Chief of Staff of Brazil’s Securities and Exchange Commission). This solidifies the event’s status, even in its first edition, as a global benchmark in the blockchain ecosystem.
Immersive Experiences: Art, Music, and Technology
Merge Madrid 24 was not just a tech event but also a celebration of the fusion between art and technology. Attendees were treated to NFT exhibitions and an impressive interactive sculpture by artist NANO Abia, blending traditional art with digital elements. One of the most disruptive moments of the event was the back-to-back battle between artist DJ AWWZ and an AI, sponsored by Bit2Me, leaving the audience in awe with a unique audiovisual experience.
Looking Ahead to Merge 2025: Global Expansion
With the success of this edition, Merge Madrid is already looking toward the future. In March 2025, Merge will move to Buenos Aires, connecting blockchain ecosystems across Europe and Latin America in a country making headlines for its recent crypto-friendly regulatory moves. Following this, Madrid will once again become the epicenter of innovation with a new edition in October, returning to the Palacio de Cibeles. Registrations are now open, and early attendees can enjoy a 50% discount on their tickets here: https://tr.ee/24cI7e3MZY
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