Consensus 2018 presented by CoinDesk is expected to be one of the largest gatherings of blockchain startups, enterprise tech leaders, and crypto-enthusiasts looking to learn more about cryptocurrency and the direction it’s headed. With over 10 years of technical expertise and a team of knowledgeable blockchain developers, Sphere Software couldn’t turn down the great opportunity to attend this event and contribute to the blockchain ecosystem.

This event is expected to shatter last year’s numbers, with over 4,000 attendees and 250+ industry leading speakers. Some of the biggest names in cryptocurrency will be in attendance as well, such as Ripple, Z Cash, Bitcoin Express, and more.

Consensus 2018 will take place from May 14 to 16 at the Midtown Hilton Hotel in New York City. There will be a ‘Building Blocks Hackathon’ as well, which will examine new protocols that allow for more robust programming capabilities since the early Bitcoin era. Near the end of the event, Z Cash will present 75 scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students in an effort to create a more diverse and exciting blockchain development community for the future.

Why is Blockchain Interest Growing?

When Bitcoin went to market in 2009, the blockchain community was extremely intimate. Not many people saw the value in this new technology early on, but nearly a decade later, the interest blockchain and cryptocurrency has grown exponentially.
This growing interest is evident in the amount of attention that CoinDesk’s Consensus convention has garnered since it first began in 2015. As you can see, attendance this year is expected to nearly double compared to last year.

CoinDesk trend

Speakers and attendees at this year’s event won’t just come from blockchain and technical backgrounds, but industries of all types such as finance, healthcare, education, and more. More companies are realizing the benefits not just of cryptocurrency, but of the underlying technology known as blockchain.

Because blockchains act as a decentralized, immutable ledger, this truly puts the power in the hands of the user. With new programming the capabilities emerging, the ability to develop and execute “smart contracts” and exchange digital assets over a blockchain is becoming a reality.

No longer will blockchain technology be used solely for digital transactions. Imagine being able to purchase insurance, securely share medical data, and even cast a vote in an important election without ever having to leave your home. These are just a few of the many possibilities through blockchain technology; and they’ll all be discussed at this year’s event.

Sphere’s Take on Blockchain Technology

Our team in convinced that blockchain technology will be an essential part of how businesses in the future find new ways to operate. From creating easily traceable business logistics for supply chain, to streamlining the share of HIPPA-compliant patient data, blockchain solutions are present in nearly every industry.

We’re attending this year’s Consensus 2018 because we’re not just looking to share some of our own solutions, but grow our knowledge base by connecting with the current leaders in the blockchain ecosystem.