The Blockchain Rises – 2018 SXSW Programming Trends

Each year, different trends emerge from SXSW programming and act as identifiers for where we're at and where we're headed. From the 12 significant trends identified by the SXSW Programming Team for the 2018 event, The Blockchain Rises explores how blockchain technology is poised to change the world of business, disrupting an array of industries including finance, healthcare, government, music, film, and more. Get to know this trend and related-SXSW sessions below that we think will dominate discussions this March.

The Blockchain Rises Trend

Blockchain technology at its core provides a transparent platform on which global transaction data is registered. The technology itself is growing increasingly more mainstream by the day as the price of Bitcoin, and other digital currencies which rely on blockchain technology, continue to skyrocket. The incredible volatility of the digital currency market has caught the attention of banks, entrepreneurs, investors, and spectators alike. The broad decentralization of data could become the next iteration of the Internet.

During SXSW 2018 sessions related to blockchain technology, hear from Joseph Lubin, founder of ConsenSys and co-founder of the crypto-currency Ethereum, during Why Ethereum Is Going to Change the World to learn about his vision for a decentralized future enabled by blockchain technology. Learn from Neha Narula, Director of Digital Currency Initiative at MIT Media Lab, in the session Cryptocurrencies: A New Future for Money. Dive into how "programmable money" can be used to create new incentives within economic systems during Bitcoin and the New World of Programmable Money, and hear from Dominik Schiener, co-founder of IOTA Foundation, in the session Building a Machine Economy with IOTA.

New for 2018, SXSW will present a series of sessions on blockchain technology from March 14-15. Explore how blockchain technology has the potential to impact global economic systems during two full days of programming from the Startup & Tech Sectors Track.

If you're a blockchain enthusiast, or already in the industry, be sure to add these sessions to your SXSW 2018 schedule and stay tuned for more programming announcements through March.

Blockchain Session Highlights

• A Game-Changing Shift in Control of Personal Data
• Why Ethereum Is Going to Change the World
• Bitcoin and the New World of Programmable Money
• Blockchain Opportunities in Mobility and Logistics
• What Blockchain Means for Media & Entertainment
• Building a Machine Economy with IOTA

Join Us for SXSW 2018

The SXSW Conference includes 24 programming tracks divided amongst Interactive, Film, Music, and Convergence. Each March, some of the world's most creative minds come together in Austin, Texas to discover, learn, network, brainstorm and collaborate.

Explore new opportunities during 10 days of sessions, screenings, showcases, exhibitions, networking, and beyond from March 9-18 at SXSW 2018. Save big when you register to attend before Friday, January 12 at 11:59pm PT.

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Teaser photo by Cruz Mendez