bitcoin++ Announces Antarctic Cold Storage Conference for 2028

Bitcoin developers have convened at events worldwide, from Austin to Berlin to Florianópolis, among others. In early 2028, some of them intend to gather in Antarctica. bitcoin++ has unveiled Antarctica: Cold Storage Edition, running from January 24 to February 5, 2028, with only 22 slots open.

The gathering combines a technical conference with a ship expedition. The vessel leaves Ushuaia, Argentina, traverses the Drake Passage, visits the Antarctic Peninsula, and then heads back to Ushuaia.

The name references bitcoin's cold storage concept, where private keys are held offline. Organizers say the trip moves the dialogue to a colder setting, offering space for conversations typically limited to hallways.

bitcoin++ organizes technical conferences, workshops, and hackathons aimed at bitcoin developers. The series launched in Austin in 2022 and subsequently hosted editions in Berlin, Florianópolis, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Riga, Istanbul, Taipei, Las Vegas, Vienna, Nairobi, Toronto, and Seoul. Every edition features a theme; for example, “learn me a bitcoin” was the theme in Austin in 2022, and “lightning” in Berlin in 2025.

bitcoin++ currently has around 20 archived editions. The upcoming conference, bitcoin++ Seoul, with a privacy theme, is set for November 5-6, 2026.

Penguins, parkas, and offline keys

The expedition lasts 13 days and 12 nights. Departing Ushuaia on January 24, the ship sails across the Drake Passage to the western Antarctic Peninsula. Potential stops along the way include Neko Harbour, Paradise Bay, Port Lockroy, and the Lemaire Channel.

The journey's website lists possible activities such as kayaking, camping, hiking, snowshoeing, and Zodiac excursions. Organizers caution that weather, ice conditions, and expedition choices dictate landing sites.

The conference adopts an unconference style, where participants suggest talks, demos, and discussions. Starlink internet and a dedicated room on the ship will support impromptu hackathons and work sessions.

Pricing and Reservations

Bookings are currently open. Prices are listed in US dollars per person, spanning from $14,900 for a four-person cabin to $16,700 for a two-person cabin. Travelers can choose to pay in five installments or in full at the time of booking. Paying the entire fare in bitcoin leads to a 5% discount. The fare covers the cost of parkas.

The last installment must be paid by October 1, 2027. Insurance for medical, evacuation, and repatriation is mandatory and bought separately. Companies can have their logos printed on the expedition parkas, with sponsorship prices from $5,000 to $25,000, each covering roughly 22 parkas.

The voyage focuses on the Antarctic Peninsula, not the actual South Pole.