Intermediate
NZ
Fran Strajnar
Opening Keynote
State of Crypto in Aotearoa
22–23 August 2026 · NZICC, Auckland
Aotearoa's
Largest Crypto
Education Event
Two days of keynotes, workshops and honest conversation for New Zealanders learning about blockchain, digital assets and the technology reshaping money — no hype, no shilling.
--
Days
--
Hours
--
Minutes
--
Seconds
Free Registration
40+ Speakers
Beginners Track
Workshops
Panels
Networking
NZICC Auckland
22–23 Aug 2026
Free Registration
40+ Speakers
Beginners Track
Workshops
Panels
Networking
NZICC Auckland
22–23 Aug 2026
3,000+
Attendees
40+
Speakers
30+
Sessions
2
Days
What to expect
Where crypto meets clarity.
An education-first conference. No token launches, no speculation pitches — just working knowledge from the people building and regulating this space in Aotearoa and abroad.
01
Bitcoin & The Basics
What Bitcoin is, why it exists, and how it actually works — explained without the jargon.
02
DeFi & Web3
How decentralised finance is being built and where the real experiments are happening.
03
NZ Regulation & Tax
IRD guidance, FMA licensing, AML/CFT and what compliance looks like for Kiwis holding crypto.
04
Self-Custody & Security
Wallets, hardware devices, seed phrases and staying safe from scams targeting NZ investors.
05
AI × Blockchain
Where machine learning and distributed systems are converging, and what to watch.
06
Digital Assets & Tokenisation
Real-world assets on-chain — property, commodities and collectibles moving to open networks.
07
Layer 2s & Scaling
Rollups, bridges and the infrastructure making blockchains fast and cheap enough for everyday use.
08
CBDCs & The Future of Money
Central bank digital currencies, stablecoins and how monetary systems are being redesigned.
Beginners Track
Brand new
to crypto?
Start here.
A dedicated day-long pathway for total beginners — retirees, the crypto-curious, and anyone who wants to understand what everyone else is talking about. No prior knowledge assumed. No jargon tolerated.
Join the Beginners Track→STEP 01
Start with 'why'
A plain-English introduction to what crypto actually is, why it was invented, and where it fits in the wider financial system.
STEP 02
Learn to stay safe
Recognise scams targeting new investors. Understand exchanges, wallets, seed phrases and the security basics that matter most.
STEP 03
Your first wallet
Guided, hands-on setup of a wallet with our team on hand. Bring a phone or laptop — leave with confidence.
STEP 04
Ask anything
Small-group Q&A with educators. No question is too basic — the whole track is designed around beginners.
Runs alongside the main programme
Small groups, real humans
No sales pitches
Beginner FAQs
The questions people actually ask us.
I've never owned any crypto. Is this really for me?+
Yes. The Beginners Track assumes zero prior knowledge. If you've heard the words 'Bitcoin' or 'blockchain' and want to actually understand them, you're in the right room.
Do I need to bring anything?+
Just a phone or laptop for the hands-on wallet session — and only if you want to follow along. You can also just watch. Pens and notebooks are provided.
Will anyone try to sell me something or push me to invest?+
No. Sponsors and speakers agree in writing not to pitch products or investments in the Beginners Track. It's education only.
I'm a retiree — will the pace be manageable?+
The track is deliberately unhurried, with breaks between sessions and time for questions. Educators are briefed to explain in plain English, not jargon.
Can I bring my partner or a friend?+
Absolutely — just register them separately so we know how many seats to hold. Both tickets are free.
What if I get lost or want to skip a session?+
The Beginner Room has hosts on the door all day. Duck out any time, grab a coffee, come back when you're ready. No pressure.
Featured Speakers
Voices shaping the space.
A stacked lineup from across Aotearoa and Australia — joined by special guests flying in from the United States. Filter by the experience level that suits you.
Beginner
NZ
Janine Grainger
Co-founder & CEO, Easy Crypto
Buying Your First Crypto Safely in NZ
Intermediate
AU
Adrian Przelozny
CEO & Co-founder, Independent Reserve
Exchanges, Custody & Trust in the Pacific
Intermediate
AU
Caroline Bowler
CEO, BTC Markets
Crypto Policy & Regulation Down Under
Advanced
USA
Erik Voorhees
Founder & CEO, ShapeShift
Financial Sovereignty & Non-Custodial Exchange
Advanced
USA
Caitlin Long
Founder & CEO, Custodia Bank
Self-Custody, Regulation & Protecting Your Crypto
Beginner
USA
Anthony Pompliano
Investor & Host, The Pomp Podcast
Retail Investors & the Future of Bitcoin
Intermediate
USA
★
Michael Saylor
Special Guest — Keynote · Executive Chairman, Strategy
Institutional Bitcoin: A View from Wall Street
The Agenda
Two days. Three stages.
Keynotes and panels on the main stage, hands-on workshops, and a dedicated Beginner Room running in parallel across both days.
08:00
Break
Registration & Coffee
Main Foyer, NZICC
09:00
Keynote
Opening Keynote: Crypto in Aotearoa
TBA
Main Auditorium
09:45
Panel
Panel: NZ Regulation — FMA, IRD & AML
Regulators & Legal Experts
Main Auditorium
10:30
Break
Morning Break & Expo
Expo Hall
11:00
Beginner
Beginners: What is Bitcoin, Really?
Educator
Beginner Room
11:00
Workshop
Workshop: Self-Custody & Hardware Wallets
Security Expert
Workshop Room A
12:30
Break
Lunch & Networking
Waterfront Terrace
13:30
Keynote
Keynote: Institutional Adoption
TBA
Main Auditorium
14:30
Beginner
Beginners: Your First Wallet (Hands-on)
Educators
Beginner Room
15:30
Panel
Panel: DeFi Beyond the Hype
Founders
Stage B
17:00
Networking
Day 1 Wrap & Drinks
Waterfront Terrace
The Venue
NZICC,
Auckland waterfront.
New Zealand's flagship convention centre — purpose-built for gatherings of scale, in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau, minutes from hotels, transport and the waterfront.
- Address
- 88 Federal Street, Auckland CBD
- Airport
- 35 min from AKL
- Nearest hotel
- Horizon Hotel, on-site
- Public transport
- Britomart · 8 min walk
- Parking
- SkyCity car park, Federal St
- Accessible parking
- Level P1, lift to NZICC
Map & directions
Get directionsAccessibility at NZICC
Step-free from street to seat
- Step-free entry from Federal Street and the SkyCity precinct — no stairs at any point.
- Lifts to every conference level, including accessible parking on Level P1.
- Wheelchair spaces and companion seating in every session room — reserve on arrival at the accessibility desk.
- Accessible bathrooms and quiet rooms on each floor; hearing loops in the main auditorium.
- Assistance animals welcome. Note it on your registration and a staff member will meet you at the entrance.
Auckland · Aotearoa
New Zealand
International
Convention Centre
32,500m²
Floor area
3
Halls in use
3,000+
Capacity
Self-Custody Cohort
Bring a hardware wallet. Unlock the good stuff.
If you already hold your own keys — or you're planning to before August — tick the hardware wallet box on registration and you're in. These perks are our way of saying you take this seriously, and so do we.
Seating
VIP Self-Custody Section
Reserved seating near the front for keynotes and headline panels — no queuing for a good view.
Fast Lane
Priority Entry
Dedicated check-in lane on both mornings so you skip the general admission queue.
Closed-Door
Advanced Self-Custody Workshop
Small-group session on multisig, passphrases and inheritance planning — led by a hardware wallet engineer.
Access
Meet-the-Speaker Rounds
Intimate Q&A circles with headline speakers between sessions. Ask the questions you actually came for.
Take Home
Steel Seed-Phrase Backup Plate
Branded stainless steel backup plate (retail ~NZ$60) so your recovery phrase survives fire, flood and time.
Take Home
Faraday Travel Pouch
Co-branded shielded pouch to carry your device safely between home, the summit and beyond.
Partner Offers
Hardware Wallet Discounts
Exclusive discount codes from Ledger, Trezor and Coldcard for anything you'd like to add to your setup.
Lounge
Cold Storage Lounge
Quiet lounge with coffee and comfortable seating, away from the main floor. Recharge between sessions.
Recognition
Self-Custody Lanyard
A distinct lanyard colour marking you as part of the Self-Custody cohort — plus a spot on the founding attendees wall.
How to claim
Select "Yes" to hardware wallet when you register. Bring your device to check-in on Day 1 to collect your Self-Custody lanyard and swag pack.
Register
Free to attend.
Every session, workshop and the Beginners Track is 100% free thanks to our partners. Just reserve your seat — capacity at NZICC is limited.
FreeGeneral Admission · Both Days
- Access to every main-stage talk & panel
- Full Beginners Track — no experience needed
- Expo hall, networking breaks & coffee
- Both Day 1 (22 Aug) and Day 2 (23 Aug)
FAQ
Common questions.
I know absolutely nothing about crypto. Is this for me?
+
Yes — genuinely. The Beginners Track is built specifically for people starting from zero. You won't be lost, and no one will make you feel behind for asking basic questions.
Will anyone try to sell me tokens or investment products?
+
No. This is an education event, not an investment conference. Sponsors are vetted, and speakers are asked to teach — not to pitch. There is nothing to buy on the floor beyond a coffee.
How do I get to NZICC?
+
The New Zealand International Convention Centre is in central Auckland at 88 Federal Street. It's a short walk from Britomart, most CBD hotels, and about 35 minutes from Auckland Airport.
Where can I park?
+
The SkyCity car park on Federal Street is directly next to NZICC (entry off Federal St or Hobson St), with covered access via the SkyCity precinct. Accessible parking is available on Level P1 with lift access to the NZICC concourse. Public parking is also available at the Victoria Street car park (5 min walk). We recommend public transport where possible — Britomart Station is an 8-minute walk.
Can I attend just one day?
+
Yes. All passes include both days, but you're welcome to attend just Day 1 or Day 2. The Beginners Track runs across both days with different topics.
Is there a code of conduct?
+
Yes. We ask all attendees, speakers and partners to follow our code of conduct — respectful behaviour, no harassment, no unsolicited financial advice. Full details on registration.