, both lives have been profoundly impacted by the struggle against censorship. This isn't to diminish the buzzing hope and optimism of the conference with over 2,000 attendees, rather, it amplified the urgency and gravitas that these key figures bring to the broader conversation on financial and informational freedom.
Edward Snowden, appearing via a video link from Russia, captivating the audience with his insights into the need for decentralised systems. Snowden, who exposed widespread government surveillance, emphasised that existing structures aren't merely flawed but designed to exploit. His call for decentralised, permissionless systems was a rallying cry against a world increasingly leaning towards authoritarianism.
Adding a philosophical touch to the financial and technological debates were conversations about creating an inclusive system that serves not just a privileged few but everyone. The recurring theme was that Bitcoin could be a lifeboat in a sea of collapsing traditional structures.