The Plan ₿ Forum conference, a leading event in the world of Bitcoin, which brought together experts and entrepreneurs to discuss Bitcoin adoption and financial freedom.

Lugano, the economic gem of Southern Switzerland, is more than just a city; it's a hub for innovation and has become a driving force for the crypto revolution. Plan ₿ is a joint initiative between Lugano and Tether, with the goal of promoting Bitcoin technology and reshaping the city's financial landscape. This plan strongly aligns with NiceHash’s mission to spread the word about Bitcoin.

Lugano's ambitious plan is not just talk; it's set to integrate blockchain and Bitcoin technology into every aspect of city life. From everyday purchases to taxes, blockchain will be the backbone of Lugano's financial ecosystem. This plan covers areas like education, payments, funds, a networking hub, and R&D mining. That's why we couldn't afford to miss the Plan ₿ Forum conference.

As luck would have it, the rain joined us in Lugano, but we quickly realized it was a blessing in disguise. With lakefront strolls off the table, we had more time to engage in intriguing discussions and make meaningful connections.

The conference was packed with engaging discussions, networking opportunities, panel debates, and other events. We couldn't catch everything, but we made sure not to miss key talks that added depth to our experience.

The event was skillfully guided by witty Joe Nakamoto from Cointelegraph, who kept us engaged every step of the way.

The opening speakers, Michele Foletti, the Mayor of Lugano, Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether and CTO of Bitfinex, and Pietro Poretti, Director of Economic Development Division of City of Lugano, provided us with updates on the Plan ₿ initiative and emphasized the importance of crypto education and making blockchain accessible to everyone.

One of the important topics was how the local merchants are embracing cryptocurrencies — for them, crypto is no longer strange; it's just money. Nicehash (http://www.nicehash.com) is committed to supporting this shift by providing a new service — NiceHash Pay — that supports both on-chain and Lightning payments, which makes it simple for merchants to accept Bitcoin, both online and in physical stores. In doing so, they are not only educating merchants but also actively listening to their feedback and understanding their needs.

Additionally, we had the opportunity to experience Lugano's Bitcoin payment process with NiceHash Pay via Bitcoin Lightning at one of the 300+ locations in the city where you can pay with Bitcoin. We could see for ourselves how this technology is making crypto payments more convenient for both consumers and merchants.

Another key discussion was about sustainable energy in Bitcoin mining. Plan ₿ Head, Giw Zanganeh, highlighted the role of sustainable energy in Bitcoin mining, a crucial link in the energy value chain. He also presented a real-world example of a Swiss food product produced using solar energy and Bitcoin mining — Panettone Artigianale Gabbani.

We love to see use cases like this, with real-life value, not just discussions and plans.

While there were many industry leaders at the convention, there were also plenty of enthusiasts interested in mining, but most have been set back by the associated challenges. Fortunately, the NiceHash EasyMining product is perfect for those who do not own mining equipment or have prohibitive electricity rates. It serves as an easy alternative to investing in your own mining operations, removing the associated risks and maintenance hurdles associated with owning hardware.

It also allows anyone to participate in the blockchain consensus, like it was originally intended. With EasyMining everyone can try confirming blockchain transactions and getting block rewards. With this NiceHash product, mining is no longer limited to large scale mining companies.

The conference featured a diverse set of speakers, including industry leaders like Adam Back, CEO of Blockstream, Nick Szabo, inventor of smart contracts, Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert (El Zonte Capital), as well as many others. Just to mention a few and highlight their contributions: Roman Martinez, community leader of Bitcoin Beach, talked about the bottom-up Bitcoin adoption in El Salvador, Thomas Moser from Swiss National Bank showcased an intriguing debate on whether BTC, stablecoins, and CBDCs can coexist, and Dusan Matuska, Bitcoin educator and miner, shed insight on educating Bitcoin educators, while Natalie Smolenski, executive director of Texas Bitcoin Foundation, offered an anthropological view on money.

The discussion between Aaron van Wirdum, journalist at Bitcoin Magazine, and Elizabeth Stark, CEO of Lightning Labs, about the vision for Bitcoin Lightning especially caught our attention.

The conference was a melting pot of ideas and connections, with parties fueled by the Orange Pill Project and the legendary Gabry Ponte adding even more excitement to the atmosphere. Crypto's influence on art was evident through the presence of Bitcoin-inspired visuals, fashion, and the Bitcoin Filmfest taking the Sunday stage.