Istanbul is set to host the global blockchain community once again as it prepares for Istanbul Blockchain Week 2025, a landmark event arriving at a time of major regulatory transformation in Turkey.
Scheduled for 26–27 June 2025 at the Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel and Conference Center, the conference will convene web3 leaders, developers, investors, and regulators for two days of in-depth discussion and innovation.
The return of the event comes as the Turkish Capital Markets Board (CMB) prepares to issue formal licences to blockchain and crypto companies—a long-anticipated move that could place Turkey at the forefront of regulated digital asset adoption.
What is Istanbul Blockchain Week?
Istanbul Blockchain Week (IBW) is Turkey’s flagship web3 and blockchain event, launched by UK-based agency EAK Digital to bring together the industry’s global and regional stakeholders.
Since its inception, the event has attracted thousands of attendees and high-profile speakers, from blockchain pioneers and startup founders to policy-makers and gaming executives.
Its previous editions have featured over 180 speakers and drawn more than 15,000 attendees, including names such as Changpeng Zhao (Binance), Turkish MP Ziya Altunyaldız, and game industry veteran Yoshihisa Hashimoto. Held annually in Istanbul—a city often described as the bridge between East and West—the event aims to serve as a convergence point for the international blockchain community.
What can we expect from the event?
IBW 2025 promises a wide-ranging programme that spans policy, technology, finance, and culture. This year’s agenda will reflect the growing maturity of the sector in Turkey, with special attention to licensing, infrastructure, and real-world blockchain applications.
Key highlights of the event include:
- Roundtable Discussions: Industry leaders, government officials, and entrepreneurs will take part in curated dialogues addressing regulation, adoption, and global collaboration.
- VC Connect: A dedicated networking programme aimed at linking web3 startups with venture capitalists, designed to encourage early-stage investment and international partnerships.
- IstanHack: A hackathon inviting developers to design blockchain solutions for real-world challenges, with a focus on collaboration, creativity, and usability.
Attendees will also explore key themes such as tokenisation of real-world assets, AI integration in decentralised networks, and the evolution of decentralised finance (DeFi).
Running in parallel to the main conference, the W3Expo—hosted by W3E Gaming—will once again showcase Turkey’s growing footprint in blockchain gaming. The expo will include live esports tournaments, game demos, and interactive exhibits that appeal to both gamers and web3 developers.
With one of the region’s largest young digital-native populations, Turkey’s gaming culture has become a fertile ground for experimentation with play-to-earn mechanics and blockchain-integrated game economies.
“We’re excited to bring Istanbul Blockchain Week back for its fourth edition in 2025, with a vision to make it even bigger and more impactful than ever,” said Erhan Korhaliller, CEO of EAK Digital and founder of Istanbul Blockchain Week. “Istanbul sits at the crossroads of East and West, making it the perfect place to unite the global web3 and blockchain community. We look forward to building on last year’s success and creating a truly unforgettable experience for everyone involved.”
Learn more: https://istanbulblockchainweek.com/tickets/
Blockchain evangelist. Content creator & graphic design hobbyist. Loves gaming!