Decred: Atomic Swap Event

Approach

New York Blockchain Week 2019 was saturated with conferences focused on technical innovation and investment opportunities. Decred sought to differentiate itself and position itself as a thought leader within the cryptocurrency space by sparking a deeper conversation about the social, political, and philosophical implications of blockchain technology. The goal was to move beyond the hype and foster a discussion about the long-term vision and impact of crypto.

Ditto conceptualized and executed "Atomic Swap," an exclusive, invite-only event designed to cut through the noise and engage attendees in meaningful dialogue. The event focused on crypto as a social, political, and philosophical movement, attracting not just technologists, but also radical thinkers from various disciplines.

Atomic Swap was strategically positioned as a counterpoint to the typical Blockchain Week event. Instead of focusing on technical specifications or investment returns, the event explored the "big picture" questions surrounding cryptocurrency. This approach resonated with a sophisticated audience seeking intellectual engagement.

Result

Format: Atomic Swap featured a series of engaging 45-minute panels, a keynote address by Vinay Gupta (with a surprise video guest), and a live recording of the "What Bitcoin Did" podcast with Peter McCormack, followed by a networking reception.

Panel Topics: The panels covered a wide range of thought-provoking topics, including the history of money, the dawn of digital objects, the challenges of building sustainable decentralized protocols, and the complex relationship between crypto, state power, and corporate influence. Notable moderators and panelists included prominent journalists, investors, academics, and leaders in the crypto space. (See Appendix A for full panel details).

Decred Integration: Decred's presence was woven throughout the event. Jake Yocom-Piatt, Decred's project lead, participated in the "Idealist's Dilemma" panel, showcasing Decred's unique approach to decentralized protocol development. Decred branding was visible throughout the venue, including branded tote bags and t-shirts.

Media Outreach: Ditto PR proactively engaged with media, securing attendance from journalists from Bloomberg, The Block, Bitcoin Magazine, Fortune, and other influential outlets. This ensured broad media coverage and increased awareness of Decred's thought leadership.

Community Engagement: The event provided an opportunity for the Ditto PR team to connect with members of the Decred community, strengthening relationships and gathering valuable feedback.

"Best Event at Blockchain Week": Atomic Swap was widely recognized as a standout event during NYC Blockchain Week, with many attendees praising its focus on substantive discussion and intellectual exploration.

Increased Decred Visibility: The event significantly raised Decred's profile within the blockchain community and among key media influencers. Reporters from top-tier publications were exposed to Decred's vision and expertise.

Media Placements: Atomic Swap contributed to broader media coverage of Decred during Blockchain Week. The Information quoted Jake Yocom-Piatt in a story about the launch of Spedn, and Bloomberg quoted JZ in a story about the state of the crypto market. (See Appendix B for media links).

Thought Leadership Positioning: By hosting Atomic Swap, Decred successfully positioned itself as a thought leader in the cryptocurrency space, sparking conversations that extended beyond technical details and market speculation.

Community Building: The event facilitated valuable interactions between the Ditto PR team and the Decred community, strengthening relationships and fostering a sense of shared purpose.

Atomic Swap was a resounding success, achieving Decred's goals of differentiating itself during NYC Blockchain Week and establishing its position as a thought leader in the cryptocurrency space. The event generated significant media attention, fostered community engagement, and sparked important conversations about the future of blockchain technology. Ditto PR's strategic approach, combined with the high quality of the event content and the strong participation of Decred leadership, resulted in a highly impactful and memorable experience for all attendees.