Experts, professors, and students—some just beginning their journey into blockchain—came together in an environment where distinctions quickly blurred. The first edition of the Lisbon Blockchain Winter School (LxBWS), organized by the BIG ERA Chair project, provided a comprehensive training experience on blockchain technology through lectures, hands-on workshops, and keynotes by leading experts. The event also promoted networking, encouraging collaboration across different levels of expertise.

“Since the sessions were designed to accommodate varying levels of knowledge—with introductory lectures alongside cutting-edge keynotes—participation was high across the board,” noted David R. Matos, an INESC-ID researcher and coordinator of the event’s organizing team. “For instance, even university professors actively engaged in the blockchain labs, despite their introductory nature”, says David, who is part of the BIG ERA Chair team, which is dedicated to unlocking the full potential of interdisciplinary blockchain research.

One of the most engaging lab exercises involved creating a cryptocurrency from scratch. The session proved so captivating that even Seth Goldstein, a Carnegie Mellon University professor and renowned expert, enthusiastically took part—despite also delivering a surprising keynote on the future of money.

“The first Lisbon Blockchain Winter School stands out among the many initiatives of the BIG ERA Chair Laboratory on Blockchain Innovation for Social Good. This lab fosters cutting-edge research, advanced education, and collaborative innovation within an international academic and industrial network,” emphasized INESC-ID researcher, Luís Caires, BIG ERA Chair coordinator and professor at Instituto Superior Técnico, which hosted the event from February 10 to 14.

Blockchain, well beyond DeFi

On the industry panel, participants had the opportunity to hear from entrepreneurs representing four exciting tech companies—Unlockit, Anchorage, SenseFinity, and Void—who shared insights into the triumphs and challenges of launching a company in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.

INESC-ID researchers also played a key role in the event, that gathered 50 participants. Miguel Correia, President of INESC-ID’s Executive Committee, delivered a talk on Blockchain Applications and Digital Identity, while Miguel Pardal, coordinator of the Blockchain PRR-funded project, presented a lecture on Food Traceability with Blockchain.

“While blockchain is often narrowly associated with decentralized finance (DeFi), its potential as a trustworthy, transparent, and consensus-based technology extends far beyond that. Sectors such as healthcare, public governance, and business are beginning to see its transformative impact,” noted Luís Caires.

Participants’ feedback was very positive, with many describing the experience as “extremely enriching.” They praised the quality of speakers and presentations, the variety of sessions (which included both advanced and introductory content), and the event’s overall organization. Many even suggested that the initiative should be repeated next year. And while it wasn’t explicitly mentioned, it’s fair to assume that Lisbon’s winter sunshine may have also played a role in the event’s success.

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