The organisers of South Africa’s first Bitcoin conference have announced South African entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den investor Vinny Lingham is to appear as the keynote speaker at the conference in April.
“Vinny’s company Gyft just sold for US$52million in San Fransisco 18 months from start to exit. Being South African born he is a keen evangelist for Bitcoin and a keen investor in startups. Vinny was the first person internationally that predicted bitcoin will hit US$1000,” said Bitcoin Africa conference co-host Theo Sauls.
A number of local and international speakers will also be presenting at the conference; with the event to focus on educating around what Bitcoin is and its benefits, the use of Bitcoin in emerging and developed markets, merchant adoption, security issues, regulation and compliance. The conference also hopes to consider how Bitcoin will impact the global and African economy, as well as highlight investment opportunities.
Disrupt Africa reported in February on the announcement that the first South African conference dedicated to Bitcoin – the Bitcoin Africa conference – is to be held in Cape Town in April.
Sauls told Disrupt Africa entrepreneurs should in particular plan to attend, to gain an insight into the potential benefits of adopting Bitcoin, with the organisers hoping to encourage a wave of Bitcoin-oriented startups in South Africa.
