BTC Balkans is over, and Sofia delivered. The second edition of the Balkan Bitcoin conference ran October 31 to November 1 at the Inter Expo Center, organized by Bitcoin Club Bulgaria. The turnout was strong despite a bear market, and the two days mixed sharp discussion with quality networking.
Lightning News previewed the event in October and represented as official media partner. A Bitcoin-only conference, two days, and a program built for both newcomers and veterans. The event itself lived up to that billing.
Sofia played its part. The city is beautiful, and the Inter Expo Center gave the event room for two full days of talks and networking.
From first wallet to hard questions
The program covered the full range. Beginner sessions walked through handling bitcoin and understanding the value thesis. The advanced end of the program tackled harder questions, the kind people like to argue about after the talks end. 
Discussions where all about latest developments. One asked whether the AI bubble is a coverup keeping the fiat financial system running. Another asked whether bitcoin can serve as an anchor of truth in an age of deepfakes. A third asked whether the Bitcoin network can be attacked during a large-scale power blackout. A fourth tracked the hashrate trend as AI compute buildout accelerates.
The talks
Speakers brought regional weight. Nikola Grbović returned to Sofia for the second edition to give a speech titled “The Frontrunner’s Bargain: All the Rules, One Way Out.” He also joined a panel on Balkan communities with Toni Cepon, Filip Đurović, Arvin Kamberi, and Kyle Huber.
Toni Cepon presented “Orange Resistance: The Bill That Almost Ended Slovenia’s Bitcoin Edge.” Kyle Huber spoke about the importance of spending your bitcoin, with a slide showing how a 100 euro purchase in bitcoin leaves the merchant holding 120 euros worth after a 20 percent rise, if the spender replaces the coins right away.
The hallway track
The hallway track mattered as much as the stage. Entrepreneurs forged new connections and friendships across the two days. Career networking ran alongside deal talk, and attendees compared notes on opportunities in the Balkans and internationally.
Well organized, and on the move
The event was super well organized. Next year brings a new host country in the Balkans. Follow Bitcoin Club Bulgaria on X to catch the next edition.
Sofia set a high bar. The second edition showed a regional scene that is growing up: serious talks, real businesses, and a community that keeps meeting in person even when the market is down.
