Dortmund's Industrial Heart Powers Europe's Crypto Future

The CONF3RENCE 2025, a significant blockchain and emerging technology event, concluded on September 4, 2025, at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany. Hosted in the iconic stadium known for its association with Borussia Dortmund, the event marked a major evolution from its inaugural edition in 2024. Despite being only in its second year, the event nearly doubled in size, reflecting the growing adoption of crypto and increased institutional interest in blockchain technology within Germany and Europe.

The choice of Dortmund as the venue was strategic, distinguishing the event from traditional tech hubs like Berlin or Munich. The city, known for its industrial heritage, was also hosting the Dortmund Digital Week simultaneously, drawing a diverse audience that included both crypto professionals and newcomers. This mix contributed to a dynamic atmosphere, fostering broader engagement and understanding of blockchain and related technologies.

The event featured two distinct stages to address different aspects of the crypto ecosystem. The Deep Tech Stage focused on technical use cases, integration, and implementation, while the Main Stage centered on regulatory discussions and high-level industry developments, particularly around the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation and Europe’s broader regulatory direction. This dual-stage format facilitated dialogue between builders and policymakers, enhancing the event’s strategic value.

Industry participation was robust, with several major companies and projects making key appearances. OKX provided updates on its recent activities, while Bitvavo highlighted its newly acquired official German operating license, effective from September 1. Tangem discussed its efforts to strengthen partnerships in the region. Strategy, a firm with 15 years of experience in business intelligence, shared its transition into the Bitcoin space. Robinhood, following the acquisition of Bitstamp, engaged in networking sessions. OneKey Wallet showcased its advancements in custody solutions. The event also facilitated numerous in-person meetings, described as a "Klassentreffen" for the German crypto community.

Professional organisation was a hallmark of the event, particularly in its catering, which many participants noted as superior to that of some international conferences. Exhibitors reported that a portion of attendees were attending without prior crypto knowledge, drawn by the broader Digital Week activities. Local NFT initiatives, such as the German Ape Club, further enriched the event by hosting activities, highlighting the importance of community in the blockchain space.

While smaller in scale compared to global events like Consensus or Token2049, CONF3RENCE 2025 holds a crucial position in the European blockchain landscape. It serves as a central hub for discussions on regulation, adoption, and industry collaboration, making it a key player in the regional ecosystem. The event’s success has led to the confirmation of CONF3RENCE 2026, which will also take place in Dortmund in September 2026.

Source:

[1] CONF3RENCE 2025: Dortmund Hosted Germany's Crypto Event (https://cryptoticker.io/en/conf3rence-2025-dortmund-crypto-event/)

[2] What's Happening at Conf3rence 2025 & Taipei Blockchain Week (https://99bitcoins.com/news/presales/this-week-in-crypto-whats-happening-at-conf3rence-2025-and-taipei-blockchain-week/)

[3] CONF3RENCE | September 3-4, 2025, Signal Iduna Park (https://www.conf3rence.com/)