17/04/2026
Just recently, Blockchain Forum wrapped up in Moscow. We attend regularly, and this year saw clear growth: a larger venue and around 20,000 attendees over two days. Here’s what stood out.
🔘 Quantum Threat: Awareness Without Depth
For us as a post‑quantum L0 platform, this track was central. The problem is now widely recognized — we barely needed to explain the basics. But ignorance has been replaced by overconfidence. Many assume existing protocols can simply be adapted. Real understanding of what migrating to PQC entails was rare. The takeaway: education must continue. Moving to quantum‑safe rails means replacing foundations, not cosmetic fixes.
🔘 Shifting Crowd: Infrastructure Over Mining
Miners, once ~80% of the audience, are now down to ~20%. The floor belongs to service providers: exchanges, OTC desks, AML platforms, legal firms, and crypto‑banking bridges. Few product‑focused blockchain teams, but AI automation solutions have grown noticeably. An interesting shift.
🔘 A More Mature Ask: From Hype to Product
Earlier, complex tech drew emotional reactions. Now questions are direct: What’s the value? Why you over alternatives? Why this infrastructure? Abstract talk doesn’t work. People want ready solutions with clear benefits. A healthy sign of a maturing market.
🔘 Regulation in Russia: The Main Talking Point
The hottest local topic was the draft laws on crypto’s legal status and circulation. It came up on stage and in every hallway. Sharp and urgent for everyone operating here.
🔘 Networking and First Outlines of Partnerships
The forum was packed with meetings. Russian web‑wallet developers are open to integrating our protocol — quantum resistance caught their eye. Exchanges showed interest in the post‑quantum angle too. We also connected with Russian big tech. Most infrastructure players present plan to stay compliant even if rules tighten. For Demlabs, as a Russian blockchain developer, this opens promising opportunities ahead.
