Bitcoin Day coming to KC: Experts share how startups can benefit from cryptocurrency 

The realm of innovation and growth is extensive when it comes to how entrepreneurs can integrate cryptocurrency into their business models, said Don Stuart. 

Don Stuart, Kansas City Bitcoin Meetup

“Specific to Kansas City, we’ve seen more and more interest here in the past few months with different companies getting set up to accept Bitcoin for payments — just because they want to tap into the growing network of young professionals and entrepreneurs who are using Bitcoin more day-to-day now,” said Stuart, a Bitcoin consultant, investor and founder of the Kansas City Bitcoin Meetup group.

To connect those interested in cryptocurrency with professionals in the field, the KC Bitcoin Meetup group is hosting the first Bitcoin Day KC — an all-day conference with speakers, giveaways and networking opportunities set for Saturday, Nov. 6 at Pinstripes at Prairie Fire in Overland Park.

“There’s going to be a lot of different-focused discussions and presentations throughout the day,” Stuart said. “We’ll have everything from Bitcoin 101 — which is the barebone basics of what it is, how to use it, what a [Bitcoin] wallet is — to the more advanced topics like the Lightning Network, which is a payment system on top of Bitcoin. There will be something for every level of interest.” 

Click here to check out the schedule and speakers for Bitcoin Day KC. 

Benjamin Maenner, Alpha Bitcoin, Bitcoin Day Omaha

Bitcoin Day KC is modeled after Bitcoin Day Omaha, which has brought tens of thousands of people to Omaha since 2014, shared Benjamin Maenner, a Bitcoin maximalist at Alpha Bitcoin and the host of Bitcoin Day Omaha.

“The goal is that we’re trying to reach everyone,” Maenner said. “We’ve brought in local, regional and national Bitcoin speakers, and the attendees are actually able to have conversations with these Bitcoiners.”

The local event will have a “Bitcoin in Kansas City” panel session for attendees who want to learn about the history of economics in Kansas City that led up to Bitcoin. 

“Back in the early 1900s, Kansas City was very supportive of the ideals of libertarianism and Austrian economics — which kind of formed the basis for Bitcoin’s economic policy,” Stuart explained. “We’re going to talk about why Kansas City is primed to adapt to Bitcoin.” 

Some Kansas City-based businesses have already adopted cryptocurrency into their everyday transactions, Stuart added, noting that the KC Bitcoin Meetup group will go out of its way to support restaurants that accept Bitcoin as payment. 

“That’s another reason why founders and startups should consider having a Bitcoin strategy,” Stuart said. “… We’re currently helping J. Rieger & Co. get up and running on Bitcoin payments here pretty soon.”

Click here to read more about the cryptocurrency community in Kansas City.

Through the Lightning Network, Bitcoin can be transferred to any account around the world in a matter of seconds, Stuart said. With credit cards charging business owners fees to accept credit card payments, Bitcoin has no fees, he continued. 

“This is an automatic way for any company to save 3 percent on their revenue,” he noted. 

Individuals do not need any background in cryptocurrency to attend Bitcoin Day KC. Even those without a Bitcoin wallet will receive $10 in Bitcoin, the duo said. 

“We really want to get the audience involved,” Stuart shared. “We’re hoping to have some people there who run a business or are looking to start one; we can discuss with them how they see Bitcoin fitting into that venture and answer any questions they may have.”

“Bitcoin stuff can get very philosophical — like why are we here? What are we doing? And it really comes back to community,” Maenner added. “We’re all building on the same thing and that’s what moves us forward. … Good things happen when Bitcoiners get together, so that’s an important part we’re continuing to push.”

Tickets for Bitcoin Day KC are on sale for $150. Startland News readers can get $50 off with the code “Startland”. Click here for tickets.