Richard Branson to Host Bitcoin Summit on Private Island

[pawel7777]

Fresh article from CD:

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson is set to bring "the greatest minds in cryptocurrency" together to discuss bitcoin and the blockchain on his personal private island this May.

Taking place on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands from the 25th to 28th, Branson's event will feature discussions moderated by Hernando De Soto, president of the Institute for Liberty and Democracy, Wall Street Journal senior columnist Michael J Casey and Matthew Bishop, US business editor for The Economist.
...

http://www.coindesk.com/richard-branson-blockchain-summit-private-island/

http://www.blockchainsummit.io/

Looking at the participants list it seems a much bigger deal than Satoshi Roundtable meeting in Feb. Hope they're up to something really good (someone in the comments speculated about Virgin Bitcoin-Friendly bank and linked to this: https://twitter.com/VirginMoney/status/464771768423833601 ).

[WhatTheGox]

Man so jelly, didnt get me invite yet, must be coming by parrot.  Check out his island for those of you who didnt see the doc:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuPQ6VHO_uk

[CryptoPanda]

Sounds like really cool, high profile stuff.
I wonder what will come out of this meeting.

[unamis76]

I see this coming out with the same outcome as Satoshi Roundtable... I'm sure it was a great time for everyone that went, many great talks and connections were made and we're all fine with that, but nothing really palpable came out of it, which is a bit of a bummer for all us.

I'm also not sure how the moderators are related to Bitcoin... But oh well. I hope there's some footage or at least there's someone who puts out a list of topics that were discussed on the meeting.

[LFC_Bitcoin]

Awesome.

Richard Branson is a big time baller.
I hope this attracts a couple of whales maybe.

[WhatTheGox]

I see this coming out with the same outcome as Satoshi Roundtable... I'm sure it was a great time for everyone that went, many great talks and connections were made and we're all fine with that, but nothing really palpable came out of it, which is a bit of a bummer for all us.

I'm also not sure how the moderators are related to Bitcoin... But oh well. I hope there's some footage or at least there's someone who puts out a list of topics that were discussed on the meeting.

If it brings richard branson more into bitcoin on an emotional level thats a result for me, the guy has very big influence in banking and mobile technology which bitcoin could use.  Imagine being able to use bitcoin on everything virgin

[thejaytiesto]

It makes me laugh when people doubt if BTC will go back up. We have billionaires on this boat and you ain't even know it. They will not let it sink.

[LiteCoinGuy]

impressive line-up  


@thejaytiesto

some people dont even read news on coindesk. what do you expect  ?

[minerpumpkin]

Fresh article from CD:

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson is set to bring "the greatest minds in cryptocurrency" together to discuss bitcoin and the blockchain on his personal private island this May.

Taking place on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands from the 25th to 28th, Branson's event will feature discussions moderated by Hernando De Soto, president of the Institute for Liberty and Democracy, Wall Street Journal senior columnist Michael J Casey and Matthew Bishop, US business editor for The Economist.
...

http://www.coindesk.com/richard-branson-blockchain-summit-private-island/

http://www.blockchainsummit.io/

Looking at the participants list it seems a much bigger deal than Satoshi Roundtable meeting in Feb. Hope they're up to something really good (someone in the comments speculated about Virgin Bitcoin-Friendly bank and linked to this: https://twitter.com/VirginMoney/status/464771768423833601 ).

The guests really seem to be an interesting choice. People have mentioned that they could be planning on building a "new Bitcoin", though. Also, the core aspect seems to be the Blockchain technology. But remember: For the Blockchain to be safe, it needs to be mined in a decentralized manner. And in order to achieve this, there needs to be an incentive to do so. That's where we need Bitcoin. Bitcoin has value, and only because of that can its Blockchain be truly safe.

[freedomno1]

That sounds like a real party, got to admit I would love to go to that island ha-ha.
Private islands ftw

[btbrae]

I wonder if this is actually very little to do with Branson himself, he rents the island for events (given a big wad of cash) - I imagine he is quite happy to appear the "host" considering the sums involved.

What's more likely; all these great minds will be sat around excitedly waiting for the don himself to arrive, passing the time whilst eating a $300 packet of chocolate nuts they bought from the tiki bar because they're in affluent company and didn't want to appear cheap with a melon. Occasionally somebody will share an insightful anecdote, like how they bought "too many" 100% organic natural wool socks with bitcoins this year, much to everybody's applause. They did too. "This is it...", they think... "We're home". Then like a bat out of nowhere Branson will appear in his 3mph hot air balloon... everybody standing around in awe and oblivious to the irony, wondering if he's been around the world in it again. He'll land and shake hands with a few people, smiling broadly as always. "Bitcoin eh, lovely idea. Just smashing." And before you can say "I bought all your books!" he'll step back into his balloon for a sunset departure as everybody stands around in awe once again. The radio is on, it's Phil Collins with "In the Air Tonight". Branson will wave. They'll wave. He'll wave again. They'll wave again. "What a guy!" somebody exclaims. Cue the hot kitesurfer woman listed on the website, who steps in and becomes the Smile Man as each attendee takes his turn trying to woo her affections by talking overbearingly about the size of their blockchain etc. And with that... the end of the proceedings are reached and they are pushed out to sea in a dinghy, each several big ones out of pocket and feeling slightly bewildered but nonetheless satisfied. This is why he is a billionaire, after all.

[TheMage]

Looking at the list, im not sure how I feel about this.......


I need to sleep on this one.

[Chef Ramsay]

Hopefully, the Lord says his piece and makes it known what's good coming up here. That's right I said it.

[kelsey]

looks like nothing about bitcoin, more about would-be entrepreneurs with business surrounding bitcoin all for the fiat 

[WhatTheGox]

Fresh article from CD:

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson is set to bring "the greatest minds in cryptocurrency" together to discuss bitcoin and the blockchain on his personal private island this May.

Taking place on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands from the 25th to 28th, Branson's event will feature discussions moderated by Hernando De Soto, president of the Institute for Liberty and Democracy, Wall Street Journal senior columnist Michael J Casey and Matthew Bishop, US business editor for The Economist.
...

http://www.coindesk.com/richard-branson-blockchain-summit-private-island/

http://www.blockchainsummit.io/

Looking at the participants list it seems a much bigger deal than Satoshi Roundtable meeting in Feb. Hope they're up to something really good (someone in the comments speculated about Virgin Bitcoin-Friendly bank and linked to this: https://twitter.com/VirginMoney/status/464771768423833601 ).

The guests really seem to be an interesting choice. People have mentioned that they could be planning on building a "new Bitcoin", though. Also, the core aspect seems to be the Blockchain technology. But remember: For the Blockchain to be safe, it needs to be mined in a decentralized manner. And in order to achieve this, there needs to be an incentive to do so. That's where we need Bitcoin. Bitcoin has value, and only because of that can its Blockchain be truly safe.

RB is already a decent investor in bitcoin currency and business i doubt hes that worried about building an altcoin.  If they did it would probably just fail even with their backgrounds.

[Bagatell]

The guests really seem to be an interesting choice. People have mentioned that they could be planning on building a "new Bitcoin", though. Also, the core aspect seems to be the Blockchain technology. But remember: For the Blockchain to be safe, it needs to be mined in a decentralized manner. And in order to achieve this, there needs to be an incentive to do so. That's where we need Bitcoin. Bitcoin has value, and only because of that can its Blockchain be truly safe.

Bitcoin > blockchain ("is greater than")

http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/344wgc/richard_branson_to_host_bitcoin_summit_on_private/cqrodxs

[xDan]

What's more likely; all these great minds will be sat around excitedly waiting for the don himself to arrive, passing the time whilst eating a $300 packet of chocolate nuts they bought from the tiki bar because they're in affluent company and didn't want to appear cheap with a melon. Occasionally somebody will share an insightful anecdote, like how they bought "too many" 100% organic natural wool socks with bitcoins this year, much to everybody's applause. They did too. "This is it...", they think... "We're home". Then like a bat out of nowhere Branson will appear in his 3mph hot air balloon... everybody standing around in awe and oblivious to the irony, wondering if he's been around the world in it again. He'll land and shake hands with a few people, smiling broadly as always. "Bitcoin eh, lovely idea. Just smashing." And before you can say "I bought all your books!" he'll step back into his balloon for a sunset departure as everybody stands around in awe once again. The radio is on, it's Phil Collins with "In the Air Tonight". Branson will wave. They'll wave. He'll wave again. They'll wave again. "What a guy!" somebody exclaims. Cue the hot kitesurfer woman listed on the website, who steps in and becomes the Smile Man as each attendee takes his turn trying to woo her affections by talking overbearingly about the size of their blockchain etc. And with that... the end of the proceedings are reached and they are pushed out to sea in a dinghy, each several big ones out of pocket and feeling slightly bewildered but nonetheless satisfied. This is why he is a billionaire, after all.

Beautiful.

This is surely how it will go down.

[Slark]

What's more likely; all these great minds will be sat around excitedly waiting for the don himself to arrive, passing the time whilst eating a $300 packet of chocolate nuts they bought from the tiki bar because they're in affluent company and didn't want to appear cheap with a melon. Occasionally somebody will share an insightful anecdote, like how they bought "too many" 100% organic natural wool socks with bitcoins this year, much to everybody's applause. They did too. "This is it...", they think... "We're home". Then like a bat out of nowhere Branson will appear in his 3mph hot air balloon... everybody standing around in awe and oblivious to the irony, wondering if he's been around the world in it again. He'll land and shake hands with a few people, smiling broadly as always. "Bitcoin eh, lovely idea. Just smashing." And before you can say "I bought all your books!" he'll step back into his balloon for a sunset departure as everybody stands around in awe once again. The radio is on, it's Phil Collins with "In the Air Tonight". Branson will wave. They'll wave. He'll wave again. They'll wave again. "What a guy!" somebody exclaims. Cue the hot kitesurfer woman listed on the website, who steps in and becomes the Smile Man as each attendee takes his turn trying to woo her affections by talking overbearingly about the size of their blockchain etc. And with that... the end of the proceedings are reached and they are pushed out to sea in a dinghy, each several big ones out of pocket and feeling slightly bewildered but nonetheless satisfied. This is why he is a billionaire, after all.

Beautiful.

This is surely how it will go down.

This is the most certain way this meeting will be held. It pains me to see that the future of bitcoin is discussing on private island by dozen of the most influential and rich people. In the end there are no miners or general bitcoin users who will have the right to change and vote how bitcoin must change, but big fishes like Branson alone will have the only right to voice opinions. It is a little sad that it comes to this.

[ensurance982]

What's more likely; all these great minds will be sat around excitedly waiting for the don himself to arrive, passing the time whilst eating a $300 packet of chocolate nuts they bought from the tiki bar because they're in affluent company and didn't want to appear cheap with a melon. Occasionally somebody will share an insightful anecdote, like how they bought "too many" 100% organic natural wool socks with bitcoins this year, much to everybody's applause. They did too. "This is it...", they think... "We're home". Then like a bat out of nowhere Branson will appear in his 3mph hot air balloon... everybody standing around in awe and oblivious to the irony, wondering if he's been around the world in it again. He'll land and shake hands with a few people, smiling broadly as always. "Bitcoin eh, lovely idea. Just smashing." And before you can say "I bought all your books!" he'll step back into his balloon for a sunset departure as everybody stands around in awe once again. The radio is on, it's Phil Collins with "In the Air Tonight". Branson will wave. They'll wave. He'll wave again. They'll wave again. "What a guy!" somebody exclaims. Cue the hot kitesurfer woman listed on the website, who steps in and becomes the Smile Man as each attendee takes his turn trying to woo her affections by talking overbearingly about the size of their blockchain etc. And with that... the end of the proceedings are reached and they are pushed out to sea in a dinghy, each several big ones out of pocket and feeling slightly bewildered but nonetheless satisfied. This is why he is a billionaire, after all.

Beautiful.

This is surely how it will go down.

This is the most certain way this meeting will be held. It pains me to see that the future of bitcoin is discussing on private island by dozen of the most influential and rich people. In the end there are no miners or general bitcoin users who will have the right to change and vote how bitcoin must change, but big fishes like Branson alone will have the only right to voice opinions. It is a little sad that it comes to this.

I actually read the whole story Well written. But I don't really see why he would do an event like that, actually. We always claim that Bitcoin is decentralized and therefore safe. Now is the time where this will be actually tested - if it is "safe" and "decentralized", it won't matter that a billionaire is organizing some even on his island, if not... Well, then Bitcoin may not be what we expected it to be all along.

[MUFC]

It makes me laugh when people doubt if BTC will go back up. We have billionaires on this boat and you ain't even know it. They will not let it sink.

Just because billionaires are involved doesn't mean anything. If it did the price should have gone up already. Investments and ideas sometimes fail but bitcoin could remain easily remain at the value it is at now or maybe even fall.