• The World Economic Forum (WEF) is held annually in Davos, Switzerland.
• In 2023, Lugano’s Plan B hopes to drive Bitcoin adoption dialogue at future WEF conferences.
• Pietro Poretti, the director of Lugano’s Economic Development department, spoke to Cointelegraph’s Gareth Jenkinson outside the WEF compound.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a yearly event that brings together international business leaders, politicians, and academics to discuss the most important global economic issues. Since its inception in 1971, the WEF has convened in Davos, Switzerland, turning the small ski resort town into a hub of high-level dialogue. As visitors make their way through the center of Davos, they will find concrete barriers and security personnel that form a boundary between the conference and the rest of the town.
In 2023, the presence of cryptocurrency and blockchain companies had increased significantly, with the familiar logos of Polygon and Bitcoin emblazoned on a Tech Lodge stand in the center of town. This was part of Lugano’s Plan B, a project that has opened up BTC and crypto payments for various municipal accounts for its residents.
Cointelegraph’s Gareth Jenkinson had the chance to speak to Pietro Poretti, the director of Lugano’s Economic Development department, outside the WEF compound. Poretti explained that their aim was to drive Bitcoin adoption dialogue at future WEF conferences, and inspire others to take the same approach. He noted that the conversations at the 2023 event focused more on Web3, the metaverse, central bank digital currencies, and blockchain payment systems, rather than decentralized cryptocurrency adoption.
Poretti expressed hope that with the increasing presence of cryptocurrency and blockchain companies, as well as the growing public interest in the sector, future WEF conferences would be more open to discussions about Bitcoin and its potential uses. He also urged attendees to keep an open mind, as cryptocurrency and blockchain technology will become increasingly important in the years to come.
In conclusion, the WEF in 2023 was an important step towards driving Bitcoin adoption dialogue at future conferences. With increased interest in the sector, and the efforts of Lugano’s Plan B, it is hoped that conversations about cryptocurrency and blockchain will become more commonplace in Davos.