After Honeybadger and a beautiful week in Riga, I landed in Finland for the very first time to attend @@w2eg…pmgp . And let’s be honest: organising events is hard, organising conferences is harder… and launching a brand-new one in the Bitcoin space? That’s pure madness. Expectations are through the roof, competition is fierce. But BTCHEL showed us: it can be done. And oh dear, did they deliver.

The very first large-scale Bitcoin conference in the Nordics felt like something fresh. You could tell by the crowd people flying in from India, Singapore, Pennsylvania… all for just two days in Helsinki. Around 1,000 attendees, 50 speakers, and a vibe that said: yes, this was worth it.

The venue, Korjaamo, was spot on: old tram halls turned into a modern playground. Cozy but buzzing, good catering (VIP food actually really good finally more than seed oil snacks, thank you very much), and the mix of indoor and outdoor spaces made connecting easy. The speakers’ kickoff at Studio Skaala was the perfect start: beautiful brick building, high ceilings, tons of light. And for us Bitcoiners? Simple: good asado, some drinks, and boom … magic. That’s all we need. Though the air was a bit hot inside.

This weekend I wore two hats. First, my @@8nyr…87h4 hat — my very first big appearance with my team. I’m incredibly proud to be part of this team and especially for @@cxw2…nt7u being by my side and giving me this space and support I need right now. Having moderated the entire EBEA Mining Focus Session on the Kino stage on the first day and a whole afternoon diving deep into how Bitcoin mining is reshaping Europe’s energy future was a great way to kickoff.

But my true highlight? Nostr. Sharing the main stage with actual legends — and for the very first time with @Derek Ross — was a dream come true. My voice came through, I was seen, I was heard. This is exactly what I stand for, what I’ll keep trying to help growing. You could probably see it on my face: pure joy. Maybe this my kind of Ikigai… the reason which keeps me going and getting out of bed every morning.

Of course, let’s not pretend I’m made of steel. Standing on a main stage in front of a huge crowd? It’s exciting, but it makes me nervous as hell. That’s why I sneak out before my talks, go for a walk, find some water (Helsinki is perfect for that), and meditate on the calmest bench I can find. That’s how I recharge.

And then there was @@3t90…vmgh with his mobile art van. He drives it from conference to conference, turning it into a little oasis of calm. Coffee, art, and his vibe — exactly what I needed when the intensity inside was through the roof.

A true “chill hub” in the middle of Bitcoin chaos.

And speaking of chaos — @@t5at…ahcl and his @@kd3n…sdth brought it in spades. It took us about an hour just to get everyone signed up but that’s Nostr: buggy, chaotic, pure fun. And honestly everyone just loves seeing me get knocked out right away.

Saturday night gave me another highlight: our @@tuxk…ycn0 women’s dinner. About 40 of us came together for an evening of connection. And yes, some people still ask: “Why female-only spaces?” It’s not about exclusion. It’s about creating a room where women can connect differently — just as men enjoy their cigar lounges. And it was beautiful. @@zsp6…tech who joined her very first Bitcoin event, said: “This was absolutely amazing… I feel like I just experienced something life-changing.” That’s why we do this!

The talks? Unforgettable. What stuck with me most was the question: Can money and state ever be peacefully separated? @@s05p…eyhe reminded us that transitions are always hard, and the chaos is us. But that’s exactly why it’s going to be massive. Fiat is violent, Bitcoin is peace. These words keep ringing in my ears.

If I could change one thing, it would probably be the jam-packed agenda. The talks and workshops were truly great — but wow, it was a lot. And when you’re already running on no sleep and only coffee, sometimes even bullish energy needs a breather.

That’s why the @@jr8s…wwnw on Sunday felt like the perfect ending. @@g5rw…qq0t ’s concept is becoming tradition. Nearly 30 of us walking together in the sunshine, two hours of fresh air, reflection, laughter, and goodbyes before heading to the airport. A gentle way to close a whirlwind weekend.

And that’s exactly what this community gives me: hope. We’re building something bigger than ourselves. As I always say: Bitcoin and Nostr are more than tech. They’re a movement, a rebellion, a revolution. And I’m grateful — exhausted, sleep-deprived, but full of energy — to be part of it.

Huge congratulations to @@jt97…la9y and @@fk8h…cwld for pulling off such a beautiful first edition. You set the bar high and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Beautiful pictures by our beloved @@lmlv…a3qr