The sounds of cannons and cheers fill the air as Tampa Bay's famous Gasparilla Pirates Parade begins, drawing a crowd of over 600,000 people. Amongst the colorful plates and pirate fun, one float stands out – the world's first Bitcoin Pirate boat proudly flying the Bitcoin Bay Foundation flag. For the first time ever, Bitcoin is part of this historic event, and Bitcoin Bay is once again making history.
As parade visitors stop by the Bitcoin Bay tent along the parade route, they are greeted with food, drinks, and an invitation to learn more about this mission-driven organization. But how did Bitcoin Bay get here? How did a small group of Bitcoin fans grow into a large enough group to earn a spot in Tampa's biggest celebration?
Growing Bitcoin Economy in Tampa Bay
Bitcoin Bay's journey began in October 2021 when one of our founders, @bennyhodl, hosted the first Bitdevs meetup. It started with just a few people talking about Bitcoin outside a local restaurant, but it soon grew into something much bigger. We had a vision: To make Bitcoin Bay the place for everything Bitcoin in Tampa Bay. We wanted to create a local economy powered by Bitcoin, where people could connect, learn, and spend their bitcoin.
With a clear mission and a dedicated team, Bitcoin Bay quickly gained steam. Weekly meetings turned into a strong network where newcomers, developers and business owners could connect, learn and share ideas. Bitcoin Bay became more than just a meeting; we were a resource for Bitcoin knowledge and support in the region.
The 2023 Miami Bitcoin Conference was a great moment for the Bay. Competing in the first Bitcoin Games against local meetup groups from across the country, Bitcoin Bay won the grand prize of 1 BTC. But instead of keeping the entire prize, we chose to share half of it with other Bitcoin meetups in a follow-up competition.
At the time, we did not know what the impact of this would be. We have since consulted with and encouraged other organizations to undertake similar missions. Denver Bitdevs, one of the recipients, has even opened its own Bitcoin community hub called “The Space.” By sharing our prize, we showed that Bitcoin Bay is here not only for our own growth but to support Bitcoin communities everywhere.
By the end of 2023, we became the first Bitcoin-only meeting in the world to receive 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. This recognition helped us grow even bigger and allowed us to reach more people in the Tampa Bay area.
Building a strong, supportive community
Since its inception, Bitcoin Bay has made a real impact throughout Tampa Bay. Our members support each other's businesses, such as HVAC services, estate planning, and even local beef suppliers. Our philosophy of Community, Prosperity and Sustainability guides us as we build a connected network where people can rely on each other.
One of our proudest achievements was hosting the Sound Money Soiree, our first charity gala attended by 120 people, including business leaders, Bitcoiners, and community leaders . Together, we raised nearly $30,000 to support our mission. These funds have gone towards expanding our reach and growing our community, helping us make a greater impact in Tampa Bay.
Education is a key part of Bitcoin Bay's mission. Through partnerships with the University of Tampa and the University of South Florida, we are bringing Bitcoin education to students. We provide guest lectures, internships, and this summer, we host our first Bitcoin summer camps. By investing in the next generation, we are ensuring that the potential of Bitcoin continues to grow in Tampa Bay.
The resilience of our community was proven when hurricanes Helene and Milton hit. Bitcoin Bay members quickly came together to help. Volunteers formed cleanup crews to clear debris, while others helped coordinate food, water and gas for those in need. This showed that Bitcoin Bay's mission to build a strong, resilient community is more than just words – it's a way of life.
Looking ahead: The journey continues
As the Bitcoin Bay Pirate sails down the Gasparilla Parade route, it's more than a celebration—it's a statement. We are here to build, educate and empower. This float represents a year of hard work, resilience, and community spirit, and marks the beginning of our next chapter.
“We're excited to bring Bitcoin to the Gasparilla Parade and share our mission with Tampa Bay,” said President Wesley Schlemmer. “Bitcoin Bay is more than an organization; it's a movement that brings shaping the future of our local community and beyond.”
To learn more about the Bitcoin Bay Foundation, information about the Gasparilla event, and how you can get involved in their community efforts, visit:
* Website: bitcoinbay.foundation
*Twitter: @bitcoinbaytpa
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* Email: Wesley@bitcoinbay.foundation
Together, we are building a better future with Bitcoin. We invite all Bitcoiners to join us on this exciting journey and make history with us!
This is a guest post by Bitcoin Bay Foundation. Their views are entirely theirs and do not necessarily reflect the views of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.
