Crypto Enthusiasts Gather For Permissionless III In Salt Lake City

According to Blockworks, the first day of Permissionless III in Salt Lake City saw thousands of crypto enthusiasts engaging in various activities, including rock climbing and axe throwing. The event featured sessions on diverse topics such as investing in private markets and a fireside chat with BlackRock’s Samara Cohen. One attendee noted a preference for Permissionless over other crypto events, describing it as “less of a zoo.” While many attendees enjoyed the event's atmosphere, Ram Ahluwalia expressed a sense of “malaise,” pondering whether latecomers who bought in as prices rose would hold or sell once a new all-time high is reached. Blockworks Chief Operating Officer Sid Viswanath reported positive feedback from attendees, who appreciated the event's quality despite its smaller size compared to last year. On the main stage, a16z crypto’s Chris Dixon advocated for bipartisan legislation, highlighting a “chill” on crypto due to the current regulatory environment. The topic of regulation was a recurring theme in many panels, especially those on the main stage. Despite regulatory concerns, there was an undertone of optimism among attendees and speakers. BlackRock’s Samara Cohen provided insights into IBIT’s investors, noting that 75% of buyers were first-time iShare buyers, indicating a strong interest from crypto natives. She also mentioned that 85% of investors were direct buyers, reflecting a significant appetite for bitcoin ETFs. Cohen’s talk received positive feedback from attendees. In the afternoon, smaller panels, known as breakout tracks, began. One panel featured Taproots Wizard co-founder Eric Wall and Galaxy’s Alex Thorn discussing bitcoin with Bankless co-founder David Hoffman. Hoffman is set to participate in a Karate Combat match against Kain Warwick on Friday.