Tirana, Albania – May 2025 – The Balkan region is set to host its largest-ever blockchain conference as Balkans Crypto brings Web3 innovators and thought leaders to Tirana from May 29 to June 1, 2025. Touted as Southeast Europe’s premier Web3 gathering, the event will feature headline speakers like Bitcoin pioneer Nick Spanos alongside top executives from Binance and Bitget, a Cointelegraph-powered startup pitch competition, and a blend of tech and cultural experiences showcasing Albania’s emergence on the global Web3 stage.
Event highlights
Influential Speaker Lineup: Keynotes and talks from global blockchain leaders, including Nick Spanos (Bitcoin Center NYC founder), Kyrylo Khomiakov (Binance Regional Head), Karel Janeček (noted investor), and Vugar Usi Zade (Bitget COO). Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama is also slated to deliver a keynote, underscoring high-level support for the event.
Major Industry Sponsors: Leading crypto exchanges Binance and Bitget are on board as major sponsors, lending strong industry backing and credibility to the conference. Their involvement highlights confidence in the region’s blockchain potential and ensures a high-profile presence throughout the event.
Startup Pitch Competition: The Cointelegraph Pitch Competition will shine a spotlight on early-stage Web3 startups. Founders from across emerging markets will pitch live on stage, showcasing their innovations to an audience of investors, experts, and media. This competition offers startups a platform to gain exposure and mentorship, aligning with the event’s mission to foster the next wave of blockchain innovators.
Culture & Regional Focus: Balkans Crypto 2025 isn’t just about tech—it’s imbued with local Albanian culture. Attendees can immerse themselves in experiences like traditional Albanian folk dance performances, local cuisine, and even rakia tastings. By hosting the conference in Tirana, the capital of Albania, the event highlights the Balkans’ rich heritage and its growing role in the Web3 ecosystem.
Speakers and visionaries
Balkans Crypto 2025’s speaker roster boasts some of the most prominent names in blockchain and beyond. Notably, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama will open the conference with a keynote address, marking the country’s first major blockchain conference on home soil cointelegraph.com and signaling government support for digital innovation. He joins a lineup of international visionaries including Nick Spanos, one of the earliest Bitcoin advocates and founder of Bitcoin Center NYC, who will share insights from the frontlines of crypto history. Industry executives are also well represented – Kyrylo Khomiakov, Binance’s Regional Head for Central and Eastern Europe, and Vugar Usi Zade, COO of Bitget, will provide perspectives from the world’s leading exchanges. Renowned European investor Karel Janeček and other high-profile figures round out the agenda.
Industry support and sponsors
The conference enjoys robust support from the crypto industry’s biggest players. Binance and Bitget, two of the world’s leading digital asset exchanges, are headlining the sponsor list and bringing significant visibility to Balkans Crypto 2025. Their sponsorship underscores a strong vote of confidence in the Balkan Web3 market. Attendees can expect to see these brands prominently featured throughout the conference halls, and representatives from both companies will be actively engaging with the community – from keynote speeches to networking sessions. This level of industry participation not only elevates the conference’s profile but also provides attendees with direct access to top exchange platforms and insights. In addition to Binance and Bitget, a host of other blockchain companies, investors, and ecosystem partners are involved as sponsors and partners, reflecting a collective effort to nurture the region’s blockchain innovation.
Cointelegraph pitch competition
A major highlight of Balkans Crypto 2025 is the Cointelegraph Pitch Competition, designed to showcase the next generation of crypto startups. Throughout the event, selected early-stage Web3 companies will pitch their projects live to a panel of industry judges and an audience of blockchain enthusiasts. This competition, hosted in collaboration with Cointelegraph, offers entrepreneurs from the Balkans and beyond a unique opportunity to gain international exposure. By featuring a pitch competition, the conference emphasizes its commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship – providing a launchpad for promising projects that could become tomorrow’s breakout success stories. The winning startup(s) will earn not only bragging rights but also mentorship and media coverage.
Culture and regional impact
Set against the backdrop of Tirana’s vibrant cityscape, Balkans Crypto 2025 blends technology with cultural immersion. Importantly, hosting the conference in Tirana carries significant regional weight. Balkans Crypto 2025 marks a milestone as the first major blockchain conference ever held in Albania, underscoring how far the country has come in embracing digital technology. In recent years, Albania has taken strides in creating a clear regulatory framework for crypto and has signaled its openness to blockchain ventures.
The presence of Prime Minister Edi Rama and other government representatives at the event further cements Albania’s commitment to becoming a hub for innovation. By drawing attendees from across Southeast Europe and beyond, the conference is putting Tirana and the Balkans on the global tech map. It sends a message that the region – often overlooked in global tech conversations – is ready to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of Web3. This regional focus is also evident in the topics and projects featured: many discussions will address opportunities and challenges specific to emerging markets, and success stories from neighboring countries will be shared, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among Balkan crypto enthusiasts.
Paving the way for Web3 in emerging markets
As Balkans Crypto 2025 draws near, its significance extends well beyond the event’s scheduled panels and keynotes. In many ways, this conference symbolizes a forward leap for Web3 in emerging markets, heralding a future where blockchain innovation is decentralized and inclusive. By rallying global leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors in Tirana, the event is demonstrating that the next wave of Web3 innovation isn’t confined to traditional tech hubs – it can rise from places like Tirana, Belgrade, or Sofia. The Balkans, once at the periphery of tech advancement, are stepping into the spotlight with fresh ideas and talent, showing that they too can help shape the next chapter of the internet’s evolution. This narrative – that innovation can bloom anywhere – is at the heart of Balkans Crypto 2025.
This premier gathering in Albania stands as a testament to the idea that Web3’s next breakthroughs can come from anywhere, and that the Balkans are ready to make their mark.