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A
We're in a very, very rapidly changing landscape now, right? With AI, with tech emerging, with down markets, up markets, treasury companies, there's so much happening so rapidly that what I kind of frame it as is it would feel like a miss not to hear the conversations happening there and not to hear what's going on there, because to me, it's like the conference is the hub where everyone's coming together and talking about it in one single spot.
B
Joining me this week is Lana Miles.
C
She's the senior Director of marketing for
B
BTC Inc. And someone that I've worked with for the past several years on the Women of Bitcoin event at the Bitcoin conference. So, Lana, thanks so much for joining me.
A
Of course. Happy to be here. Thanks for having me.
B
I can't believe that we are going to be having another bitcoin conference in just like a month. Basically a month and a half.
A
It's 46 days. Somebody tried to say no, 39. It's actually counting down really quickly. So something like that.
B
It's going to be my sixth.
A
That's crazy.
B
My sixth. Yeah. 2021 was my first, and I can't believe it. How are you feeling ahead of it?
A
I'm excited. I always. First of all, the year always seems to just fly. I swear, we were just finalizing the details for women in bitcoin last year. Now we're here. It's 2026. I keep saying 2025, but we're here. I'm super excited. Just counting the minutes. And it's always really, really cool at this point when things could probably get a little chaotic behind the scenes to watch everyone just, like, lock in. Yeah, it's. It's actually really cool to see.
B
It's really crazy to see just all that goes into it behind the scenes, because you guys get there, what, like
C
a week in advance, right?
B
I mean, it's a machine that you put on. I can't even imagine the scale behind the scenes.
A
And it never gets old either. Like, I remember. So I interviewed for my job at B22. So this is 26. It's been a minute. I've seen quite a few flagship events and it never fails to surprise me, walking through as they're building out, like, the Expo hall and the stages, the coordination and the sheer volume of what it takes to put on an event of this scale. Oh, yeah, it's really cool to be a part of, but it's also just really cool to see.
B
Well, like I said, we've done the Women of Bitcoin event, which is big. I mean, it's grown to a scale of like 500 women, but it's nothing compared to the tens of thousands of people that come to this and all the coordination of the different events. So let's talk about this year. Like, what can people expect? And for those who maybe, maybe they've been to the conference before and they're like, well, I've done it before. Like, sell them on why they would want to go.
A
Yeah, honestly. So what I, what I always put through the lens of what would I explain to my best friend who is not a bitcoiner? I talk about all of the things that we plan to see on site, which this year actually is obviously bitcoin. Bitcoin is for everyone. Bitcoin is the unifying thread through a lot in my world and in the ecosystem that we work and live. That being said, we're in a very, very rapidly changing landscape now, right? With AI, with tech emerging, with down markets, up markets, treasury companies, there's so much happening so rapidly that what I kind of frame it as is it would feel like a miss not to hear the conversations happening there and not to hear what's going on there, because it's, to me, it's like the conference is the hub where everyone's coming together and talking about it in one single spot. I don't know about you, I get very overwhelmed scrolling Twitter, scrolling the news. So having that convergence of tech, politics, education, the development. We have a really incredible open source program for the core devs and for people developing Bitcoin in the background. All the while there's literally something for everyone.
B
Wow, that's really cool. So what components of the AI conversation are going to be in the, I
A
mean, application and building? So honestly, that's not even all of it, but what I'm. I can speak from like personal interest, hearing people what they're building and again, like application. There is an insane amount of opportunity when you cross bitcoin with emerging tech, like AI. The whole idea of agents is fascinating to me and I can't speak to the programming. The programming team is just so locked in with agenda building and locking those details in that even I can't share them yet. But what's emerging is really cool and I think it's just fascinating to see how that relates to Bitcoin and mostly how bitcoin really ties in and conserve emerging tech like AI.
C
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B
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B
That's so fascinating. Yeah, I've tried all the different AI platforms and I wonder when there will be more of a tie in with Bitcoin like using Bitcoin as a native payments network and I think that's coming, but it hasn't really intersected with my use of AI.
A
Not yet, but I think it's really coming soon. Like I've gone from chatgpt to now. I'm really besties with Claude.
B
Yeah, me too, me too. Yeah.
A
Yeah, so it's, it's gonna happen.
B
Okay, so who are the speakers that you're most excited about? And I know that you can't necessarily go into all the programming but I mean it must be a challenge to Try to, you know, make it kind
C
of new every single year.
B
Because some of these speakers, they literally go to every single conference.
A
Yeah. Honestly, I mean, I know. So before we started, we talked about Senator Lummis. I'm always excited to see and hear what she's working on and what she has to say. I have a lot of interest in the political side of things, mostly because there's a lot of conversations that I think do impact the broader financial system and as a result, obviously, bitcoin. So there's a lot with, like, the coding country and the conversations happening with the politicians that are going to be joining us. I'm not going to name drop. We're hoping to announce a fair few in the coming years, so stay tuned. And then there's a new emergence with this event called Deal Day, which is just a massive coming together of financial powerhouses to hear pitches and talk about what they can really get behind. So I'm really excited for that as well. I think there's going to be a lot of new voices, too, this year that, I mean, obviously, we always love the Sailors. We're excited for the Sailors. We're excited for the Senator Lummises, the Jack Mallers, all of them. But they're not going anywhere. But we're always making space for the newer, emerging voices as well.
B
Yeah, I feel like bitcoin really needs some, like, new blood when it comes to just voices that are advocating for bitcoin. It feels, at least on the podcast side, like, okay, we're talking to a lot of the same people, but it would be great to have someone come on stage and it's just like, bam, like, wow, they're a bitcoiner, you know, And I think a lot of people are waiting for that. But in a bear market, it's like, it's harder.
A
No, the bear market, I feel like that's your chance. Right? Like, everyone has heard the wonderful things about bitcoin. They've heard about the up markets. They've felt the hype of what it's like to see the price ripping in down markets. I will die on the Hill. Sorry? To quote Jack Mouse, I will die on this hill. That down market is when people get to work. That's when they're building, and that's when there's the most opportunity to have your voice heard, because everyone's looking for, okay, who's doing what, what's going to emerge in the next upswing. So now, I feel like, is like the most critical time to make your voice and what you're working on and what you're interested in known.
B
Well, one of the big benefits of going to this type of conference and it worked for me is for folks that want to work in this space. I mean, I came to 2021 and a lot of people know my story by now, but I was working as a full time reporter and I went on a press pass and I wanted to grow my. But it was just a hobby and I didn't know how to make it my full time job. I didn't even know if it was possible. But the people you meet, whether they're
C
speakers or just other bitcoiners who you
B
get to spend time with, that was literally priceless. You could not put a price on that ticket for me. And five years later, here I am with my podcast and this is my full time job. And I'm like, you meet people though, that are the same way. I mean, one year they come and they're an attendee and then the next year they're speaking and it's possible. And so can you speak to that? Like just the atmosphere there and how important it is to kind of get out in real life as opposed to just watching things online?
A
Yeah, no, honestly, I think. And same here. So I went to B22. First of all, I love your story. I've read you. You posted a long form article on magazine a while back and I loved reading it. I interviewed for my job at B22 and I went really knowing. I knew I was all in on bitcoin. I knew very little about the conference and I tried to go to the very first inaugural Women of bitcoin event that year and there was no way because the demand was already really high. Very, very much from the start. But I didn't know a soul. I walked around, I had an 8 month old baby in a stroller with me most of the time and I just walked around. I walked around that giant volcano we had and everyone's really friendly. It's kind of. It's not weird, but it's not what you are used to in today's society where everyone's just looking down at their phone. There is very little judgment to be found when it comes to new people joining in. Because everyone who is a bitcoiner is actually usually really excited when new people come around because you're like, oh, we're glad you're here. Like, we got a lot of work to do. There's a lot going on and there's very little room for competition or edging people out. Of conversations that are going on everywhere. Yeah. So it's always been a very positive vibe. And personally, like, walking the expo hall for me has always been a really exciting thing. Coupled with the fact that obviously we're in Vegas again this year. And the biggest thing I've noticed that I adore is staying at the Venetian and just being there. It's like almost like you're not on a cruise. Cause that's a weird way to put it. But it's like. It's like an immersive experience. I have my routine that I'm actually looking forward to after last year. I wake up, I walk downstairs, I mobile order my Starbucks, I walk right to the conference floor, and I usually run into multiple people along the way that I'm like, hey, how's it going? So it's almost like a vacation vibe built in.
B
Oh, yeah. No, it's amazing. Well, you brought up women of bitcoin, so let's talk. Because there are some special changes this year. Not everyone may be aware, but tickets will be available again very soon. So why don't you share the updates?
A
Yeah. No. So previously this was a brunch, and we always looked forward to a brunch. We've talked a lot in past, past events about how much women like to eat and what they like to eat. We curated that menu this year. It's an evening event. It's a. It's a cocktail bash, right?
B
Yeah, it's a. It's actually a full sit down dinner. We wanted to elevate it for the fifth anniversary. Yeah.
C
And we're just.
A
Fifth anniversary. That is insane to me.
B
It's insane. Yeah. And every single year, it's grown. It's pretty much doubled in size every single year. It always sells out. There's always more demand than, unfortunately, the capacity of any of the rooms we always book. But.
C
Yeah.
B
I just can't believe that it's been five years. Callie and I started this in 2022 that year, and we could only have 100 spots at that brunch. We didn't even know if we'd fill them. And they were all sold out. And we had more demand again. But this year, we're so excited and we're gonna be honoring someone. You know who it is?
A
I know who it is. You want me to say who? Yeah, you can say Senator Lummis.
B
Yes.
A
She's our rock star. She's my idol a little bit. She is retiring next year. This is gonna be really special to honor her.
B
Yeah. I mean, she's been such a trailblazer and such an example not just for women, but for everyone. And standing for us in Capitol Hill on the Senate floor, bringing forward the Bitcoin act, she's just been incredible. So we're in awe and we wanted to make the night special and dedicate it in part to her. So if you're a fan of Senator Lummis, please come out to the event. And yeah, it's gonna be a very special evening. Can't give it all away. We're gonna have entertainment like we did last year, but it's gonna be really, really fun.
A
I. I wouldn't give up my seat for the world. Yeah, I can't wait.
B
I love it.
C
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B
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Visit thebitcoinway.com Natalie Today I hope to see all of you in Las Vegas for Bitcoin 2026. We'll be celebrating five years of women of Bitcoin with a special evening bash and I'll be signing copies of Bitcoin is for everyone at the Bitcoin bazaar. Use code HODL for discounted passes and I will see you this April. Finally, Bitcoin IRA. With Bitcoin IRA you can invest in Bitcoin24.7 inside a tax advantaged IRA. Choose a traditional IRA to defer taxes or a Roth IRA for tax free withdrawals. When you retire, take control of your Future with Bitcoin IRA. Head to Bitcoin IRA.com Natalie for up to a $1,000 funding bonus.
B
So what are you personally most excited for for this year? Like is there anything different that you're like, I can't wait to see this or experience this.
A
That's a really unfair question because I feel like I'm genuinely excited for all of it. That being said, well, I am actually really excited for the women's event Mostly because just to see how it comes together. That being said, I am actually really excited to see how Deal Day unfolds. The demand that has come from that. Well, so two things that and the BFC Symposium, which has just rapidly grown in both popularity and just the demand for it.
B
Bitcoin for corporations.
A
Yeah, sorry. Bitcoin for Corporations. So Bitcoin for Corporations Symposium and Deal Day are both happening on Pro Day, which is day one of the conference. It's for Propass and whale pass holders.
C
Okay.
A
Both of those events have far exceeded when it comes to interest, which we're super excited about. Like, we're trying absolutely our best to accommodate and ensure that everyone who wants to be in the room is in the room. But it's kind of crazy, especially in a down market, to see that people are still really interested in having these conversations and attending these events at this volume. So I'm excited to see how both of those things happen.
B
So two years ago when we were in Nashville, it was, like, quite a spectacle because President Trump came. Right. And that increased all the security, and it was wild.
C
And there were rumors Elon Musk was coming.
A
Oh, my gosh.
B
Like, is President Trump possibly coming again or.
A
No, I can't say anything. I can't. I don't. There's plenty of conversations happening with a lot of names that I think would be exciting to the general public.
B
What about, like, front runners for potentially someone that going to run against whoever the GOP candidate is. I'm assuming it's going to be Vance, but, like, maybe Governor Newsom or aoc?
A
You can't say that. I don't think any doors are officially shut. And I know that year that Trump spoke, we were talking to a lot of influential voices that are either touching bitcoin legislation or discussing it. Nothing is off the table.
B
Governor Newsom, when I was a reporter in California, he was actually one of the first politicians to accept bitcoin donations. I remember that back in, like, 2014. Isn't that crazy? I mean, I haven't heard him talk about bitcoin, but I would be curious what his stance is today, because I'd
A
be very curious what his stance is. I'm a former Californian, so I do.
B
Oh, me too.
A
There you go. So I'd love to hear.
B
We both fled.
A
We both might have sought different.
B
Yeah, okay. So again, there might be folks watching this that are like, okay, I'm on the fence. I either have been before or I've never been to one of these conferences. And I just don't know. And Vegas has gotten so expensive. The conferences, like, a lot of, you know, today, nothing's cheap. So what do you say to those people who are like, I don't know, but. But I'm kind of interested. I'm kind of curious about everything you've just been talking about.
A
I mean, I say there's. There's really only one way to find out. And you're not. Like, we love our livestream. Our livestream is great for people who truly can't be there. But there's really only one way to fully experience the conference. And we also. I mean, I might get myself in hot water as marketing to say this, but there's a lot of offers out there. There's a lot of promos out there.
C
You are in a hotel, Hodl.
B
10% off.
A
There you go. Use Natalie's code. There's a lot of ways to. To find affordable paths. There's several listed on our website right now. So it's definitely. We've done everything we possibly can to make it accessible to anyone. But that being said, it's just. In my opinion, you don't want to miss this. You don't want to look back and think, I should have gone to this conference.
B
No, like I said before, I mean, it changed my life. It changed my career. So I love going every single year. And it's really fun to see.
A
What are you most looking forward to?
B
Well, I hope I'm not in a debate with Peter Schiff about gold, because currently gold is winning. So I'm looking forward to hearing what I'm gonna be speaking about. Cause I don't know the programming yet, but I'm really excited to have a book at the Bazaar. Cause I'm signing. Bitcoin is for everyone. And obviously the Bash. I'm so excited for the Bash and honoring Senator Lummis and seeing everyone. It's funny because in bitcoin, we're also spread apart. We live in different places, not just
C
around the country, but around the globe.
B
My closest friends are not living that close to me. So the chance to see everybody and everybody's in an excited mood, and we get to go out afterwards and you get to, you know, just dress up and do dinners and do the conference and the panels. Like it's a mix of everything. And there's just no second best, really
A
hat tip to saylor. Well, and that's the thing, too. Like, it's not even just the conference. You brought it up. There's a million side events. Like, it truly is like, the one thing I say this as a mother of three, one baby who's three months old, it's very tiring to be at the conference. And I say that as a mom of three who's tired every day because I just want to do everything. It's almost like you really can't do everything. But there's everything is like on the table and offered. There's the after parties every single night. There's side events left and right and center. And it's really. I'm just excited to kind of decide how I'm going to spend each day because obviously there's the programing, obviously there's the core of the event, but I think the one thing that we really do have going for us with bitcoin week is how packed the entire week really is. Yeah.
B
Yeah. Okay. I want to hear your bitcoin story because I don't think I really know it. Like, how did you get into bitcoin?
A
Okay, so my husband and I are high school sweethearts. Hi, John. He started talking my ear off about bitcoin when we were in College. I graduated 2013, so it was like probably 2012 that he started talking to me about it.
B
Wow.
A
He had. He ran like a honey minor on my college imac.
B
No way.
A
And I was like, dude, I don't know what this is, but it's slowing down my computer and I have projects to work on. So I didn't care about it at all until he kept talking my ear off. And then probably like 2015, 2016, I actually started listening and I'm like, okay, what are you talking about? So I started getting interested on my own thanks to him and very much led by him with his own teaching. He sent me right to the bookshelf to get the bitcoin standard. If you've never read a bitcoin book, read the bitcoin standard. It will change your entire life. That being said, I finally started getting interested, just did some self learning and then I was working in a totally different industry and started going to meetups in OC because we were living in California at the time and started being friends with a couple of guys there, one of whom is George McHale who now runs the show with bitcoin for corporations. And he was kind enough to send me a job opening and put a good word in. And I interviewed at B22 and the rest is history.
B
That's wild. So you guys were mining like more than 10 years ago.
A
Yeah. And it was like a little. It wasn't like a It was like a hobby miner. But back then, obviously it was a completely different world than what hobby mining is today when it truly is just a hobby. But it was. It was very, for me, inconvenient for John, very cool because he was all in well before I realized what he was talking about. But that being said, we. Yeah.
B
What was the block subsidy back then? Like 25 Bitcoin.
A
I have. No, no, no, no. Let the record show I am no whale. Like, I just need to clarify that right now. It was very much a hobby from two broke college kids. But it was. Yeah, it was. It was fas.
B
It's crazy to think that it wasn't that long ago where people could literally do it on their laptops and now it's this massive large scale. Like even sovereign nations are moving to that.
A
I kick myself for never having gotten in on the bitcoin faucet.
B
Did you ever see that? Yeah, I saw that. I know.
A
I look at pictures from back then and I'm like, it was so. It was right there.
B
I know.
A
Right there.
B
Well, and even Max and Stacy, they've been so active in this whole circuit and going into all the conferences and I heard that they would like give away five bitcoin a piece or something. It's like so crazy to think how much that's worth.
A
Bitcoin pizza day.
B
It's.
A
There's so many fun origin stories before people had any idea what it was going, that it was going to result in this. I say resulting in this. Like, I still feel like we've just gotten started. The line. We're still so early is very applicable here.
B
No, for sure. What's something that you're really like curious about in terms of where bitcoin's going to go in the next couple of years? Is it the AI component or are you wondering if like every company is going to be a bitcoin treasury company? Or like, are you one of the people who like me?
C
I'm like, when is mainstream retail gonna
B
get back into this? Because it feels like they've been gone for a while.
A
They have been. Honestly, I think it's a toss up. I think the retail part is very, very interesting to me always because I would love to be able to transact more in bitcoin and shout out to square for very much working on facilitating that. The adoption play, I think is critical to me because look at the economy, look at. I'm sure we have all heard plenty of layoff stories lately, like, things are not going well. Bitcoin fixes this like put bitcoin on your not financial advice. I am rooting for those companies who are putting bitcoin on their balance sheet because look at strategy. Not every company is going to be a strategy. But I do think having sound money can fix a lot that's going wrong with the job market and going wrong with economies at scale.
B
So do you feel very fulfilled getting the chance to work in bitcoin, not just investing?
A
I love my job. You could not pry this job out of my hands. I like I can. I tell my husband frequently. I commend those working every job. Like, we all work very hard, but I don't know how I would be able to muster how hard I'm willing to work working in what I call a fiat job.
B
Well, you've crushed it with women of bitcoin. It's just been such a great event and you have been incredible on it every year because people don't realize how much goes on behind the scenes, how much we plan. Any final thoughts or anything else we didn't discuss that you want to touch on?
A
No, I mean, I just. Come join us in Vegas. Come see us. Come chat if you see me. Like, let's. Let's hang out. Let's talk. I'm down to talk to anyone. I think same probably goes for you and your busy schedule, but for sure, no final thoughts. I'm just really excited now.
C
Where is it next year?
B
Where's 2027?
A
That I cannot say.
B
It's a secret. But you guys know it.
A
Oh, we know it.
B
Okay.
A
Yeah, we know it.
B
Can you give us a hint?
A
It's not Vegas.
B
It's not Vegas.
A
I don't know if I'm allowed to say that, but it's not Vegas. So that's another thing. If you want to see our Vegas conference, looks like this is probably your last chance to see it.
B
Now, is there any chance we would do like, a bitcoin conference? Italy?
A
I would love that.
B
I would, too.
A
So let's start the crowdsource vote right now.
B
I'm waiting.
A
That would be so lovely. No, but I will say new countries are very much in the the works, so stay tuned on that front. But we will be announcing B27 in Vegas.
B
Okay. Well, I'm super excited it's coming up. Lana, thanks so much for joining me. Likewise.
A
Thank you again for having me. I'm excited to be here.
B
Thank you.
C
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of Coin Stories. Make sure you're subscribed to the show so you don't miss any new episodes. If you can turn on those notifications and leave us a positive review, they really help the show grow organically with new listeners. We have a free weekly newsletter. You can sign up@thenewsblock.substack.com this show is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing should constitute as financial investment advice, and you should always do your own research. I'm always open to feedback and guest suggestions, so please feel free to reach my team@infoalkingbitcoin.com I'll see you next time.
Episode: Lana Miles: Inside the World's Biggest Bitcoin Conference – What to Expect at Bitcoin 2026
Date: March 26, 2026
This episode features Lana Miles, Senior Director of Marketing at BTC Inc., joining host Natalie Brunell to give listeners an exclusive look into the upcoming Bitcoin 2026 conference in Las Vegas. The discussion ranges from behind-the-scenes planning and event highlights to reflections on the continued evolution of the Bitcoin ecosystem, the importance of conferences for the community, and how newcomers—and women—are making waves in the space. Lana shares her own Bitcoin journey and the significance of both emerging technologies like AI and ongoing advocacy within the industry.
Both Lana and Natalie wrap with encouragement for listeners to attend and participate, emphasizing that individual contributions and new energy are vital to the community’s continued evolution. From grassroots beginnings to the industry’s biggest stage, they stress that Bitcoin is still early in its journey—even as new technologies and global events shape its future.
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