Day 3 of Bitcoin 2025 Conference: From Ross Ulbricht’s First Public Appearance to SEC Signals

Day 3 marked the grand finale of the Bitcoin 2025 Conference, and the final day’s lineup of speakers delivered equally captivating and thought-provoking insights as the days prior.

The stage was graced by an impressive array of influential figures, including U.S. SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, Strike CEO Jack Mallers, MicroStrategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor, and the iconic Ross Ulbricht, who made his first public appearance since his release. The day was brimming with groundbreaking announcements, visionary insights, and bold predictions that underscored Bitcoin's ever-expanding influence on the global stage.

Among the many highlights was a major revelation from Champions League finalists Paris Saint-Germain, who announced that they now hold Bitcoin on their balance sheet—a testament to the growing adoption of cryptocurrency across diverse industries.

Now, let’s look at what the remaining voices brought to the conversation.

Ross Ulbricht (Silk Road): Buying a whole Bitcoin was less than $1 and now it’s worth over $100,000 each.

Ross Ulbricht, known as a "Freedom Fighter", founder of Silk Road and a symbolic figure in the early Bitcoin movement, made his first-ever public appearance on stage since his release, delivering a powerful and emotional speech centered on freedom, decentralization, and unity.

Reflecting on Bitcoin’s meteoric rise and its role in reshaping the global financial landscape, Ulbricht remarked, “Buying a whole Bitcoin was less than $1 when I launched Silk Road, and now it’s worth over $100,000 each.” His words struck a chord with the audience, underlining Bitcoin’s transformative journey and the enduring relevance of its founding ideals.

Hester Peirce (SEC): The SEC wants to create a good environment

Hester Peirce, often referred to as "Crypto Mom," emphasized the SEC's commitment to fostering a balanced regulatory environment.

She stated, "The SEC wants to create a good environment for legitimate actors and a bad environment for bad actors." Peirce also commented on memecoins, likening them to collectibles rather than securities, signaling a nuanced approach to regulating this segment of the crypto market.

Michael Saylor (Strategy): Holding Bitcoin offers a 90% chance of success over 5 years

In his second appearance on stage at this year’s Bitcoin conference, Michael Saylor, Executive Chairman of Strategy—a company renowned for its substantial Bitcoin holdings—presented a compelling case for Bitcoin as a cornerstone of long-term wealth creation.

He stated, "If you invest in Bitcoin on your balance sheet, there’s a 90% chance over five years it will succeed." Saylor also discussed the role of AI in enhancing individual capabilities and shared inspirational stories, such as how a dentist could become a billionaire by embracing Bitcoin. He concluded with a powerful statement: "The more individuals, corporations, governments, institutions, cities, leaders embrace Bitcoin… the more likely the human race is to succeed."

Paolo Ardoino (Tether): Tether holds over 100,000 BTC and 50+ tons of gold

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino highlighted Tether’s remarkable growth, comparing it to "Facebook levels of growth." He declared, "Bitcoin is the ultimate social network," emphasizing its role as a global unifying asset.

Ardoino disclosed that Tether holds over 100,000 BTC and 50+ tons of gold. He stressed that Tether’s gold holdings are not in competition with Bitcoin but serve as a reserve asset to counter fiat currencies. He further projected that Tether could become the largest Bitcoin miner in the world, and boldly stated, "Bitcoin is perfect; gold is imperfect."

Jack Mallers (Strike): Bitcoin as the Best Performing Asset

Jack Mallers, founder and CEO of Strike, shared his enthusiasm for Bitcoin, calling it "the best-performing asset in human history."

Mallers announced that Strike would offer single-digit Bitcoin loans and revealed that the company holds 1,500 Bitcoin. His vision for Bitcoin as a transformative financial tool was clear throughout his speech.

Mayer Mizrachi (Panama City Mayor): Considering establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve

Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi addressed the conference, sharing his vision for integrating Bitcoin into the city’s financial ecosystem. Mizrachi revealed that Panama City is exploring Bitcoin payment solutions, including the possibility of establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve for the city. He also mentioned the potential of accepting Bitcoin for Panama Canal tolls, with ships paying in Bitcoin potentially receiving priority passage.

Under Mizrachi’s leadership, Panama City has already passed legislation allowing residents to pay taxes, parking fines, and permits using Bitcoin, Ethereum, and certain stablecoins. Inspired by El Salvador’s Bitcoin policies, Mizrachi expressed optimism about Bitcoin’s role in Latin America’s economic future, stating, "The future is bright for Bitcoin."

Nigel Farage (Reform UK): If elected, his party would create a Bitcoin reserve and launch a Crypto Finance Act.

Reform UK Party leader Nigel Farage revealed an ambitious plan to position the UK as a global crypto hub. He announced that if his party comes to power, they would establish a Bitcoin reserve at the Bank of England and introduce the "Crypto Assets and Digital Finance Act."

This legislation would prevent banks from closing accounts of customers involved in crypto trading and impose a 10% capital gains tax on crypto assets. Farage also expressed opposition to a UK central bank digital currency (CBDC), emphasizing his commitment to a decentralized financial future. Remarkably, Reform UK has seen a rise in polling support and plans to become Europe’s first political party to accept crypto donations.

A Transformative Gathering for Bitcoin Enthusiasts

As Bitcoin 2025 concludes, the three-day event has proven to be a transformative gathering for Bitcoin enthusiasts, industry leaders, and policymakers alike. The conference showcased not only Bitcoin's potential as a financial asset but also its role in shaping a decentralized, inclusive, and innovative future. From groundbreaking predictions and policy discussions to personal stories of transformation, Bitcoin 2025 has solidified its place as a pivotal event in the cryptocurrency world.

As attendees leave Las Vegas, they carry with them renewed inspiration and a deeper understanding of Bitcoin's potential to revolutionize the global financial system. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis from BlockFlow as we continue to cover the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency.