Consensus side events are where the real magic happens—offering networking, exclusive insights, and hands-on experiences that elevate your conference journey. As of March 26, 2025, with Consensus Toronto and Hong Kong on the horizon, these side events are shaping up to be unmissable opportunities for crypto professionals, investors, and builders.
What are consensus side events?
Consensus side events are the supplementary activities, meetups, workshops, and parties that run alongside the main Consensus conference agenda.
Organized by CoinDesk, sponsors, community groups, or industry partners, these events complement the core program by offering intimate settings for collaboration, deal-making, and innovation.
From VIP dinners to hackathons, they attract a diverse crowd—think developers, venture capitalists, startup founders, and even policymakers—all eager to connect beyond the main stage.
With Consensus expanding globally, expect Toronto and Hong Kong to host unique Consensus side events tailored to their local tech ecosystems—Toronto’s fintech prowess and Hong Kong’s digital asset hub status.
Top consensus side events to watch in 2025
EasyA consensus hackathon
A high-energy coding marathon where Web3 developers tackle real-world blockchain challenges. Past hackathons have drawn 300+ participants, offering prizes like $50,000 in crypto and startup mentorship. In 2025, Toronto’s event (May 13-14) might focus on AI-blockchain integration, while Hong Kong’s (February 17-18) could emphasize tokenization.
Winners often catch the eye of VCs attending Consensus, making it a launchpad for new projects. Consensus side events like this blend learning with opportunity.
In 2024, a team built a decentralized voting app during the Austin hackathon, securing $10,000 and a pitch slot at PitchFest. Expect similar breakthroughs in 2025.
Coindesk pitchFest after-parties
Following the main stage PitchFest—where startups pitch to investors—nighttime after-parties in Toronto and Hong Kong will offer a relaxed vibe for networking. Think rooftop bars, live DJs, and 200-300 attendees, including founders and VCs managing $3 trillion in assets (per 2024 stats).
These Consensus side events are prime deal-making territory. Casual chats over drinks often lead to partnerships or funding.
A 2023 Austin after-party sparked a $2 million seed round for a metaverse startup—expect Toronto’s fintech crowd and Hong Kong’s Asian investors to strike similar deals in 2025.
VIP networking dinners
Exclusive, invite-only dinners hosted by sponsors like Coinbase or Binance, featuring 50-100 top-tier attendees—CEOs, regulators, and thought leaders like Vitalik Buterin (a past speaker). In Toronto, expect fintech-focused talks; in Hong Kong, digital asset regulations might dominate.
These Consensus side events offer rare access to decision-makers, perfect for forging high-stakes connections.
A 2022 NYC dinner led to a blockchain pilot between a Fortune 500 firm and a DeFi startup—2025 could see similar Toronto or Hong Kong breakthroughs.
Community meetups and workshops
Grassroots Consensus side events organized by groups like the Canadian Web3 Council or Hong Kong’s HashKey Group. Toronto might host a “Bitcoin ETF Insights” workshop (May 15), while Hong Kong could feature a “Web3 in Asia” meetup (February 19). Expect 100-200 attendees per event, with hands-on demos or panel Q&As.
These events dive deep into local trends, offering practical knowledge and regional networking.
A 2024 Austin meetup on NFT gaming drew 150 developers, sparking a new project—similar innovation could emerge in 2025.
Why consensus side events are a game-changer
Networking on Steroids
The main conference packs 20,000+ attendees into the Metro Toronto Convention Centre or Hong Kong Convention Centre, but Consensus side events shrink the crowd to manageable sizes. This intimacy lets you connect directly with influencers—think a quick chat with a Binance exec or a handshake with a VC scouting the next big thing.
Exclusive Insights
While keynotes cover broad trends, Consensus side events zoom into niche topics. A Toronto workshop might unpack Canada’s ETF success (home to the world’s first Bitcoin ETF), while a Hong Kong meetup could dissect Asia’s stablecoin boom. You’ll leave with actionable takeaways unavailable online.
Deal-making hotspots
Consensus is dubbed “the Super Bowl of Blockchain” for a reason—deals happen here. Consensus side events amplify this, with 2024’s Austin edition reportedly facilitating $500 million in investments. In 2025, Toronto’s financial hub status and Hong Kong’s East-West bridge could push this higher.
Consensus side events 2025: What’s next?
With the Consensus conference set to take center stage in 2025—scheduled for Toronto from May 14-16 and Hong Kong from February 18-20—the accompanying Consensus side events are poised to steal the show with their tailored, high-impact offerings.
These supplementary gatherings, ranging from technical workshops to industry meetups and exclusive networking parties, are expected to amplify the main event by diving deep into region-specific trends and cutting-edge innovations in cryptocurrency, blockchain, Web3, and AI.
As the dates approach, both cities are gearing up to showcase their unique strengths—Toronto as a fintech trailblazer and Hong Kong as Asia’s digital asset gateway—while rumors of a flashy metaverse-themed event add an extra layer of excitement. Here’s an in-depth exploration of what’s brewing for Consensus side events in 2025, based on current speculation and logical extensions of past Consensus patterns, with full details still to be confirmed closer to the event timelines.
Toronto: Fintech-driven side events anchored in Canada’s crypto ETF pioneering
Toronto, a global fintech hub and home to Canada’s groundbreaking crypto ETF legacy, is expected to host Consensus side events that spotlight the intersection of traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized technologies.
Canada made history in 2021 with the launch of the Purpose Bitcoin ETF, the world’s first, and by 2025, its crypto ETF market could manage over $10 billion in assets (based on growth trends). Workshops like “Scaling Blockchain for Banks”, potentially slated for May 15, might draw 150-250 participants, including representatives from major Canadian banks (e.g., RBC, TD), blockchain startups, and regulators from the Ontario Securities Commission.
These sessions could explore practical applications—such as using blockchain for instant cross-border settlements, tokenized bond issuance, or secure digital asset custody—building on Canada’s early adoption of regulated crypto investment vehicles. Additional side events might include “Crypto ETFs: The Next Frontier” panels or hands-on demos of blockchain integration, offering actionable insights for financial institutions eyeing Web3.
These events could catalyze partnerships between banks and DeFi projects, potentially unlocking $100 million in pilot programs by year-end, while boosting tokens tied to financial use cases like Chainlink (LINK) or Highstreet (HIGH).
Hong Kong: Capitalizing on Asia’s digital asset renaissance
Hong Kong, fast emerging as Asia’s digital asset epicenter thanks to its 2023 crypto exchange licensing framework, will likely host Consensus side events that tap into the region’s surging blockchain adoption. Events such as a “Web3 in Asia” meetup (possibly February 19) or regulatory panels could attract 200-400 attendees, featuring prominent figures from HashKey Group, OKX Asia, or the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission.
These gatherings might focus on tokenization—transforming assets like real estate, stocks, or art into blockchain-based tokens—or the rise of stablecoins in Asia, where USD-pegged coins are gaining ground amid China’s digital yuan rollout.
Expect in-depth discussions on Hong Kong’s regulatory sandbox, tax incentives for crypto firms, or cross-border blockchain trade with mainland China, blending technical expertise with policy foresight. These side events could position Hong Kong as a bridge between Eastern and Western crypto markets, drawing global attention.
Regulatory clarity from these panels could unleash $500 million in Asian crypto investments by Q3 2025, while tokenization talks might propel tokens like Polygon (MATIC) or Avalanche (AVAX) tied to such innovations.
Metaverse night parties: A fusion of VR innovation and networking
Buzz on X since early 2025 hints at a standout addition to the lineup: a “Metaverse Night” party planned for both Toronto (possibly May 15) and Hong Kong (perhaps February 19).
These events could draw 300-600 attendees—ranging from metaverse developers and gaming startups to venture capitalists and crypto influencers—offering a blend of virtual reality (VR) demonstrations and high-energy networking.
Picture a chic venue transformed with VR stations featuring platforms like Highstreet, The Sandbox, or Decentraland, where attendees don headsets (e.g., Meta Quest 4) to explore virtual shops or battle in play-to-earn games. Live music, craft cocktails, and big-screen showcases of metaverse projects might elevate the atmosphere, with sponsors like Animoca Brands or Meta hinting at new VR integrations.
Details like exact locations, ticket costs (likely $50-$150), and RSVP processes remain under wraps, with CoinDesk expected to unveil specifics in late 2024 for Hong Kong and Q2 2025 for Toronto.
These parties could ignite metaverse token hype (e.g., HIGH up 15% post-event), while networking might birth $10 million in startup funding or a high-profile NFT collaboration by mid-2025.
Consensus side events are the hidden gems of the 2025 Consensus conference, offering unparalleled chances to network, learn, and strike deals in the crypto, blockchain, and Web3 space. Whether you’re in Toronto’s fintech hub or Hong Kong’s digital asset epicenter, these events amplify the main stage’s impact, connecting you with the people and ideas shaping the future. Don’t just attend Consensus—dive into its side events. Stay tuned for more posts from Blockchain Bulletin Weekly.