Bitcoin in New Orleans: News, Meetups, & More (Updated for 2023)
In New Orleans crypto has become a popular topic of conversation, and, for those in the know, an exciting new way to transact business and even to make everyday purchases. If you’re in the city and love to talk Bitcoin almost as much as you love to buy Bitcoin, there are a lot of opportunities for you here, such as meetups and networking events. Additionally, you can find Bitcoin ATMs in New Orleans and many other Louisiana cities, to allow you to buy cryptocurrency without having to deal directly with an online exchange.
Bitcoin is a fast-growing technological game-changer that is sweeping across the world and changing the way we do banking, business, and more. With all the recent headlines around Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, it can be hard to keep up with all that’s happening around the country, let alone the specific New Orleans crypto happenings. So what does Bitcoin in New Orleans currently look like and how can you learn more about it?
New Orleans & Louisiana Bitcoin News
Bitcoin has come a long way since it was first used in local stores way back in 2014. The first New Orleans Bitcoin ATM was installed by Pelicoin at Cafe Luna back in the early 2016, and New Orleans has seen an expansion in the cryptocurrency’s reach since those early days in our city. As a fast-changing technology that’s already demonstrated an impact in the Crescent City, Bitcoin continues to make headlines across the Big Easy and Louisiana as a whole to this day. The headlines nowadays focus somewhat less on the novelty of cryptocurrency and more on its proven results and growing widespreads acceptance.
The ATM Industry’s 2023 Conference in New Orleans
ATMIA, the ATM industry’s nonprofit trade association, held its 2023 conference in New Orleans. The conference featured a panel of executives from the cryptocurrency field. ATMIA’s mission statement indicates that in addition to promoting the industry’s interests, it is important to maintain public trust and its financial interests. The inclusion of cryptocurrency executives in this ATM industry conference reflects an acknowledgement of the legitimacy and importance of crypto alongside traditional currency and banking, and bodes well for the future of the field.
Crypto Received Laudation from Louisiana Legislature in 2021
The year 2021 brought a lot of big things for cryptocurrency in Louisiana. In April of last year, the Louisiana Legislature passed a formal resolution that lauded Bitcoin for overcoming hurdles unreachable by other forms of currency in that it is decentralized and has become a trillion-dollar asset, nonetheless. The legislature went on to say the cryptocurrency is a critical tool for business and urged institutions in Louisiana to consider the numerous benefits its common incorporation could have on the state. The Louisiana Legislature breathes rare air in its praise of Bitcoin, as very few other governmental agencies have come forward to offer words in favor of crypto. Still, the legislature spoke to the critical role bitcoin is likely to have in preventing inflation, even going so far as to say that it may “replace gold as a monetary reserve.” As this bill passage becomes common knowledge and cryptocurrency continues to grow nationally, it is only a matter of time before Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies become mainstay forms of payments in businesses across the state.
Norco Attracts One of the South’s Largest Cryptocurrency Operations
Norco, the tiny industrialized town located about 25 miles from New Orleans out in St. Charles Parish, has been selected as the site of a recent move from a New Orleans data center by Coin Bayou. Although it doesn’t look like much right now, the tiny property on Airline Highway will soon host one of the largest Bitcoin operations in the Southern United States. The main reason for the move? Electricity. Louisiana has recently had the third-lowest electrical rate in the nation, and this move guarantees that Coin Bayou will be able to access plenty of it in a small, defined space.
Bitcoin and Louisiana Law
In an exciting development for the Louisiana cryptocurrency scene, the state of Louisiana recently cemented its crypto-friendliness with the governor signing a bill into law regarding banks and cryptocurrency. House Bill No. 802 allows banks in Louisiana “to serve as custodians” of their customers’ cryptocurrency.
Serving as custodians of customers’ cryptocurrency allows banks to provide their customers with a safe place for their cryptocurrency, a service that many customers will likely request as cryptocurrency becomes more widespread. This development is significant because it allows traditional financial institutions, which tend to be slow to embrace change, to engage with the cryptocurrency aspect of their customers’ lives without yet fully committing to this cutting-edge, decentralized currency.
Prior to this, the Louisiana government hadn’t issued much in the way of formal guidelines for Bitcoin since it did so via the Office of Financial Institutions’ guidance in 2014 for cryptocurrency consumers and investors that described the state’s regulatory approach. The approach detailed that any business exchanging virtual currency “may be subject to licensure as a money transmitter by this Office,” but this may soon change. With Bitcoin gaining steam in statehouses across the country, it’s only a matter of time before the Louisiana Legislature takes up the issue once again.
Cryptocurrency in Other Louisiana Cities
It’s also worth noting that New Orleans is not the only city in Louisiana with a thriving crypto scene. The city of Lafayette has recently announced its intention to create its own cryptocurrency. A first for a Louisiana city, this move could put Lafayette on the fast track towards digital currency domination, and it will be interesting to see if other Louisiana cities like New Orleans follow suit. In many other Louisiana cities and even in small towns, Pelicoin operates Bitcoin ATMs, which as you will see, helps them to expand access to cryptocurrency in these areas.
New Orleans Crypto ATMs
Another exciting way to get into crypto in New Orleans is by using one of the city’s many cryptocurrency ATMs! For example, Pelicoin has numerous Bitcoin ATMs throughout the city of New Orleans as well as many others in the wider New Orleans Metro area. These machines allow people to buy and sell cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Litecoin using cash, without having to go directly onto an online exchange. This provides a convenient way for people to enter the world of cryptocurrency for the first time or just to convert their cash into crypto while on the go.
Benefits of Cryptocurrency ATMs in New Orleans
If you’re wondering why you may want to try a New Orleans crypto ATM, one of the main advantages is speed. Traditional banking methods can take days or even weeks to complete a large transaction, whereas cryptocurrency ATMs can get it done in just a few minutes. This is especially useful for people who need to make quick transactions, such as small business owners or those who work in the gig economy, or even for tourists who don’t want to spend a lot of time on financial needs that come up during their vacation.
Another beneficial feature of cryptocurrency ATMs is the degree of anonymity they provide, which matters a lot for those who are concerned about the privacy of their data. Unlike traditional ATMs, which require personal information and identification, cryptocurrency ATMs require minimal documentation, such as a your cryptocurrency wallet address. Pelicoin Bitcoin ATMs even allow you to create a paper wallet right at the machine! This can be especially appealing for people who may not want to share personal information with a financial institution.
Another great benefit of cryptocurrency ATMs for New Orleans in particular is that they provide a way for people to conduct financial transactions without having a traditional bank account. This is important in a city like New Orleans, which has a large population of underbanked and unbanked individuals, meaning people who do not have total access to the traditional banking system. By serving this population, cryptocurrency ATMs can help level the economic playing field, helping these people to use financial services such as electronic payments.
With these benefits in mind, there’s never been a better time to try using a cryptocurrency ATM in New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana. So how can you find people who share your love of crypto and also learn more about developments in this exciting field?
New Orleans Bitcoin & Cryptocurrency Meetups
A great way to stay in-the-know when it comes to cryptocurrency is attending meetups around town or online. These events will keep you informed and help you develop your interest in crypto.
Benefits of Attending New Orleans Crypto Meetups
Networking matters in any field and getting to know others who share your interests can also be a lot of fun! Attending crypto meetups and networking with other enthusiasts can have a number of benefits for those who want to learn more about this cutting-edge currency. Here are some potential advantages of networking with other crypto enthusiasts at events like meetups:
Learning from Others’ Knowledge and Expertise: Meetups are a great place to learn from people who have been working with crypto longer than you have, or just to stay up-to-date on new developments and trends in the crypto world. Take this opportunity to get to know everyone from developers to investors and share insights and ideas.
Finding People To Work With: If you’re working on a crypto-related project, from organizing a symposium to advocating for crypto-friendly legislation, networking is a great way to meet others who may want to work with you on those initiatives. The contacts gained from networking may also be able to direct you toward financial support and resources for your work.
Finding potential employers or employees: If you hope to work in the cryptocurrency industry, these meetups can serve the more traditional purpose of networking: helping you make connections that may eventually lead to employment. Additionally, if you have a crypto-related business and are looking to hire, attending meetups can help you connect with enthusiastic talent. Meeting people in the industry face-to-face can be a powerful way to build relationships with those who have a genuine interest and commitment to the field.
Finding your community: Odds are that not everyone in your life understands crypto, so attending meetups is a great way to meet others like you. Particularly for if you have recently discovered crypto, you may not have a connection to a like-minded group of people. Attending meetups and networking with others can help to build a sense of community and provide a supportive environment for individuals to share their experiences, ideas, and challenges.
Taking into account all of these benefits, putting yourself out there to attend crypto meetups is well worth the effort! These gatherings can be highly beneficial as they offer an excellent opportunity to acquire knowledge, network, exchange ideas, and learn about advancements in the cryptocurrency sector. These gatherings not only offer informative presentations and updates, but also serve as a platform to connect with like-minded individuals. Joining these meetups in New Orleans and online can help you establish your crypto community.
In-Person Meetups
While cryptocurrency tends to be popular with digitally-savvy people who value their privacy, sometimes the best method for connecting with others is to meet with them in person. Luckily, New Orleans has a thriving community of crypto enthusiasts who have regular meetups for you to get to know them and broaden your knowledge base.
This group bills itself as “smart, interesting people who like to brainstorm and share ideas.” If that sounds like you, consider stopping by one of their many upcoming events to talk New Orleans crypto at a local pub while enjoying food and drink!
The meetings take place at Winston's Pub & Patio, located at 531 Metairie Rd, but make sure you RSVP on the meetup.org page before attending.
Lisk New Orleans: Blockchain Meetup
An open event for all levels of interested parties of Blockchain, this meetup group involves informative presentations and Q&A sessions (with some events taking place online and others in person) that will help start new dialog within the community. You can sign up at their Meetup page to try to catch the next session and to discuss cryptocurrency topics.
Online Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Meetups
While there are many in-person crypto meetups, the format of online meetups has also become popular in the crypto and Bitcoin communities, which makes sense for a digital currency community. This also helps if you want to be able to connect with the same group of people whether or not you are currently in New Orleans.
This meetup provides a weekly Zoom meeting on Thursdays to help you learn how to get started with cryptocurrency. Each Thursday has a theme, such as technical aspects of cryptocurrency or how and where to buy it, so you can choose which, or all, the sessions that are right for you. The fourth Thursday also has an AMA (ask me anything) session so you can get your Bitcoin questions answered!
A MeetUp group called “The Future is Crypto” hosts an online event every Monday called “The Future of Crypto.” The purpose of these events is to teach you about investing in cryptocurrency as well as related topics such as investing in NFTs and the Metaverse. The event is always virtual and can be accessed through their meetup.com page above.
Where to Spend New Orleans Crypto
Now that you know where to get cryptocurrency in New Orleans, you also may be wondering where you can spend it. What are some examples of businesses in New Orleans that accept cryptocurrency? Pelicoin has an entire blog post just dedicated to where you can spend Bitcoin in the famous French Quarter of New Orleans, so there are definitely a lot of opportunities.
Ready to Get Started with Cryptocurrency in New Orleans?
As cryptocurrency continues to grow in importance, New Orleans is staying ahead of the curve with meetups to discuss cryptocurrency, retailers accepting the currency, and of course Pelicoin Bitcoin ATMs that make it easy to buy crypto as you travel around the city. To stay up to date with the latest cryptocurrency news in Louisiana and across the Gulf South, check out our blog.
With all these recent happenings centering around cryptocurrency in Louisiana, you can always get started by converting your cash to crypto at a Pelicoin cryptocurrency ATM in New Orleans. Please don’t hesitate to contact Pelicoin at (504) 507-0879 or support@pelicoin.com with any questions. With locations all over the Gulf South, you can conveniently start today!