Washington – September 17, 2026 -- The Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI) and PubKey DC will host the fourth annual Freedom Tech DC summit on Sept. 22-23 at the National Press Club and PubKey DC, expanding the invite-only event's scope beyond Bitcoin and stablecoins into AI, data center development, energy grid resilience and national security.
Summit rebrand signals broader policy mandate for Bitcoin Policy Institute
Formerly known as the Bitcoin Policy Summit, the event's expansion reflects BPI's growth as it takes on freedom technology policy issues, builds out its leadership team, and becomes a founding partner in the State Department's new Freedom Tech Excellence Program.
Lawmakers and industry leaders confront AI and crypto rules ahead of 2026 midterms
Confirmed speakers include Sens. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Reps. Nick Begich (R-Alaska) and Lance Gooden (R-TX), Block CEO Jack Dorsey, and Strategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor. Patrick Witt, executive director of the President's Council of Advisors for Digital Assets at the White House, will also speak, alongside Ian Mason, Chief Information Officer at the Federal Trade Commission, and Katie Arrington, former Chief Information Officer at the U.S. Department of War.
The two-day agenda splits into "Establishing the Stakes" on day one at the National Press Club, followed by an inaugural DC Beefsteak reception at PubKey DC, and "Hands-On Policy Work" on day two, entirely at PubKey DC.
Panel lineup pairs open-source AI advocacy with Bitcoin reserve legislation
BPI President David Zell will speak virtually with Dorsey on building on open-source primitives including open-weight AI and Bitcoin. BPI's Head of Government Affairs Ken Egan and Witt will assess how the digital asset industry navigated Washington and what lessons apply to forthcoming AI policy fights. Other sessions include "Openness as National Strategy" featuring Matthew Pines of Physical Superintelligence, Matt White, formerly of The Linux Foundation, and Ben Brooks of Black Forest Labs; "America's Open-Source Future" with Sen. Lummis; and a session on "The case for the American Reserve Modernization Act" with Rep. Begich.
Additional participants include Alex Gladstein, Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation, and BPI Executive Director Conner Brown and Head of Research Sam Lyman.
PubKey DC's 12,000-square-foot venue anchors expanded programming
PubKey DC, located at 410 7th St. NW and opened in December 2025, spans 12,000 square feet and houses podcasting studios, BPI's offices, and space for private events alongside the summit's day-two sessions and closing party.