Alaska’s 1st Bitcoin conference held in Juneau

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The state’s first Bitcoin conference took place this weekend at Centennial Hall, bringing Bitcoin enthusiasts from around the country to Juneau.

The conference was a networking opportunity for Bitcoin supporters. Among the Alaska speakers were Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, and Department of Revenue Commissioner Adam Crum. Begich owns bitcoin and recently co-sponsored a bill establishing a federal strategic bitcoin reserve.

Bitcoin is a digital currency with no physical backing. For many, it is appealing because it is not governed by people, but rather by a decentralized network of computers and complex formulas. Another bitcoin selling point is its scarcity.

“Bitcoin’s value to me, predominantly, is not in our ability to transact with it,” Begich told conference attendees on Sunday. “It’s that it’s a scarce asset.”

Currently priced at over $100,000 per coin, Bitcoin is country email list the most highly valued cryptocurrency of the many that have proliferated since the late 2000s.

The event was organized by Juneau resident Wade Hoek. General admission for the conference was $150. The “whale pass,” which included a reception cruise, was $800. According to Hoek, the tickets were “virtually all” whale passes.

He estimated that 120 people bought tickets for the two-day conference and that 10-15% of the attendees were from Juneau. Hoek said local attendees included legislative staff for Rep. DeLena Johnson, R-Palmer, Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, and Rep. Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River.

Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, was also spotted in attendance. During the 2025 legislative session, Kiehl sponsored Senate Bill 86, which adds regulations on money services businesses dealing in cryptocurrency, with the goal of protecting consumers. SB 86 passed in the State Senate and has moved to the House Finance Committee.