5 February 2025 – Plan ₿, an initiative founded in collaboration with Tether to promote the use of Bitcoin and blockchain technology, proudly concluded the first Plan ₿ Forum El Salvador on 30 – 31 January 2025, marking a significant milestone in its mission to advance Bitcoin adoption. The sold-out event, taking place in Tether’s new home base, saw around 2,500 participants worldwide, reinforcing El Salvador’s role as a leader in digital asset infrastructure and financial innovation. 

A highlight of the forum was the announcement of USDt’s integration with Bitcoin, bringing Tether’s signature stablecoin back onto Bitcoin’s base layer and the Lightning Network. Developed with Lightning Labs and powered by Taproot Assets, this integration improves transaction speed and efficiency while maintaining Bitcoin’s security. The announcement was made on stage during a fireside chat between Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, and Elizabeth Stark, CEO of Lightning Labs.

“The first Plan ₿ Forum in El Salvador exceeded all expectations, showing the growing role of Bitcoin in global finance,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether. “Bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and developers in a country that adopted Bitcoin at a national level highlights its real-world potential. We are excited to continue this conversation in the years ahead.”

The forum also unveiled a second Satoshi Nakamoto statue, following the first statue revealed in Lugano, Switzerland. This new tribute serves as a symbol of Bitcoin’s growing influence and the shared vision of financial freedom that connects El Salvador and Lugano as global hubs for Bitcoin adoption.

Among the elite line-up speakers at the forum were Adam Back (CEO of Blockstream), Samson Mow (CEO at JAN3), Lana Negrete (Mayor of Santa Monica), Jimmy Song (Bitcoin Educator and Author), Chris Pavlovski (Founder and CEO of Rumble), Milena Mayorga (Ambassador of El Salvador to the United States), Ken Sim (Mayor of Vancouver), Mike Peterson (Director at Bitcoin Beach), Jameson Lopp (CTO at CASA), and Roman Chimbera Martinez (Community leader at Bitcoin Beach). 

With the success of Plan ₿ Forum El Salvador, the initiative now looks ahead to its next event. The fourth annual Plan ₿ Forum will be held in the Swiss city of Lugano on October 24-25, 2025. More details and early registration can be found here.