Press Releases

NiceHash to Showcase Maribor as Crypto Hub with First Bitcoin-Focused Conference

Maribor, Slovenia, May 14, 2024 –– Leading hashrate marketplace NiceHash is proud to announce the first Bitcoin conference ever to be held in Maribor, NiceHashX, offering an interesting and little-known entry point to the European crypto market. Styled as the ‘Bitcoin Conference on the Sunny Side of the Alps,’ the event will take place in Maribor over two days on November 8 and 9, commemorating a decade of operation for the hashrate marketplace founded by two Slovenian students in 2014.

One of the primary goals of the conference is to encourage people to view Maribor and Slovenia more generally as a hub for Bitcoin. Over 1,000 businesses in the Central European country already accept BTC as payment, and the event will spotlight several local Maribor companies actively using the technology. Indeed, one of the event’s multiple stages is dedicated to showcasing these local enterprises.

“We are delighted to welcome the world to discover how Slovenia is leading the way in European Bitcoin adoption,” says Vladimir Hozjan, CEO of NiceHash. “With 10 years of experience in this industry, we have witnessed phenomenal growth in the interest of using Bitcoin, here in Maribor and around the country. Join us as we celebrate, and witness Bitcoin in its purest form, used by everyday people, alongside some of the brightest speakers in the industry.”

The conference boasts an impressive lineup of speakers, including prominent figures such as Saifedean Ammous, author of The Bitcoin Standard; ex-Cointelegraph reporter Joe Hall (Nakamoto); BTC Prague conference CEO Martin Kuchař; Bitcoin FilmFest Co-founder Pierre Corbin; CASA CTO Jameson Lopp; and many others. Topics up for discussion include European Bitcoin adoption and regulation, the mining and energy landscape, and the future of exchanges in the age of increased regulation.

Attendees can look forward to an exciting expo area, a trio of main stages, and many side events including an official after-party with a VIP dinner and music show with the renowned DJ Claptone. Additionally, NiceHash has soft-launched a BTC payment solution with local merchants that will be demoed at the conference and around the surrounding city.

Nestled in the foothills of Pohorje Mountains, a popular skiing destination, and with wine-growing hills close by, Maribor is a stunning destination for visitors, notable for its stunning architecture, cozy cafes, and laid-back atmosphere. It was named European Capital of Culture in 2012.

Often overlooked on the European scene, Slovenia has the second-largest number of blockchain startups after Switzerland and a very high Bitcoin adoption rate per capita. The country boasts many Bitcoin-themed places in Slovenian cities, such as BTC City in Ljubljana and the Satoshi monument. The many businesses already accepting Bitcoin include restaurants, hotels, cafes, supermarkets, and more, while the number of Slovenian crypto users is expected to reach 385,700 by 2028, nearly 20% of the population.

About NiceHash:

NiceHash is a leading player in the cryptocurrency mining industry. Founded in Slovenia in 2014, the company is the world’s largest hashrate marketplace and has facilitated Bitcoin adoption for millions of people worldwide. NiceHash offers a comprehensive ecosystem of mining and Bitcoin payment services and launched the world’s first fully automated Lightning payouts for miners in 2024.