On January 21, 2026, a new chapter for the DC Bitcoin scene began. We hosted the first official event in a landmark partnership between PubKey and the Bitcoin District Initiative (BDI). Held at the sprawling new PubKey DC in Penn Quarter, the evening was a "fireside chat" among the leaders driving the orange-pilling of the nation’s capital.
On January 21, 2026, a new chapter for the DC Bitcoin scene began. We hosted the first official event in a landmark partnership between PubKey and the Bitcoin District Initiative (BDI). Held at the sprawling new PubKey DC in Penn Quarter, the evening was a "fireside chat" among the leaders driving the orange-pilling of the nation’s capital.
On stage, we were joined by Andrew Newman (CFO) and Dan Kablaoui (COO) from PubKey, alongside Trey and Seong from BDI. The conversation explored everything from the "dive bar" origins of Bitcoin culture to the strategic importance of building a physical presence just blocks from the Federal Reserve.
Andrew Newman and Dan Kablaoui shared the story of PubKey’s inception—a journey that started in a basement dive bar in Greenwich Village in 2016. They view PubKey as the "cultural front door to Bitcoin," a place where the technology becomes tangible over a beer and a hot dog.
Expanding to DC wasn’t just about growth; it was about mission. With the Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI) providing "air cover" on the Hill, PubKey DC serves as the community’s embassy—a physical hub where policymakers and "plebs" alike can see Bitcoin in action.
The BDI team, led by Trey and Seong, laid out a bold vision for the city. As a newly formalized non-profit, BDI is moving beyond informal meetups to build a true circular economy. Their flagship goal for 2026? Onboarding 100 local merchants to accept Bitcoin.
"When elected leaders see Bitcoin working in the very city where they serve, they take that firsthand experience back to their own communities. It’s not theory; it’s economic freedom in action."
Missed the live stream? You can catch the full recording of the talk, including the audience Q&A and deeper dives into the hospitality-meets-finance business model, on YouTube:
