The Blockchain Infrastructure Forum will take place in the Austrian National Library, a wing of the Hofburg Palace of Austria.

Why Vienna?

The Blockchain Infrastructure Forum (BIF) takes a note from the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) inception (without of course the lizard people). What had begun from a gathering of like minded philosophers discussing important topics once a year in Switzerland, grew to an internationally significant event to propel the world’s economy forward.

Venues should be fit for purpose. Environment can shape and invigorate communication and purpose. Therefore, for this infrastructure forum, I was about to embark on a hunt for venues in Berlin for its strong crypto presence and plethora of industrial-themed venues. I was coincidentally attending the WEF supporting the launch of BxC the blockchain-climate nonprofit and had the pleasure of meeting Johannes, one of the treasurers and leaders of digital transformation at the Austrian National Bank, after a panel talk at the WEF.

After a conversation with Johannes, I was convinced that the fit for purpose venue for the BIF was a venue that exhibited a geopolitically significant governance theme and Vienna, Austria was a location with its rich geopolitical history and library venue for hosting this event.

Why the Austrian National Library?

“As the central academic library of the Republic of Austria, the Austrian National Library looks back to a history rich in tradition going as far as the 14th century. It is a living bridge between the rich heritage of the past and the future-oriented demands of a modern information society.” - mission statement of the Austrian National Library

As a literal analogue, the blockchain ledger is like a library of global participants etching every transaction as a piece of history. As infrastructure service providers we maintain this library of historical transactions as well as provide guidance and governance in the development of how this technology moves forward.

The Austrian National Library provides a fitting venue for the conversations we will have during these two days surrounded by its ancient reminders of how the past world had guided geopolitically under its very roof and where we will now usher in important conversations of our technology.

Here we will have our conversations that span the future of our blockchain infrastructure, governance of it, and classification of ourselves as infrastructure service providers.