What do social media, cloud computing and LLMs have in common, besides the fact that they’re all heavily enmeshed in our lives? The answer is that all of these systems are dominated by two or three giant companies. If you are looking for an alternative to this hyper centralization, you might be interested in checking out the Web3 Summit, an upcoming gathering of folks on a mission to fix the internet (18 & 19.06.2026). Featuring conversations, workshops and installations, the two-day program is all about creating a decentralized, democratic digital space. The colorful lineup of futurists and commentators includes economist and author Yanis Varoufakis, Ethereum co-founder Gavin Wood, self-declared cypherpunk Rachel-Rose O’Leary and blockchain legal expert Nina Siedler. Their guiding principle is Web3, a way of running the internet that uses distributed ledgers known as blockchains – a technology you may know from bitcoin and NFTs.
Discussions include how to protect privacy, what digital ownership really means and how to make the web more participatory. The program also encourages you to get hands on yourself by playing with and remixing decentralized software at the Playground.dot app-building space. Meanwhile, the culture side of things includes an ambient performance by violinist Hoshiko Yamane and composer Makoto Sakamoto followed by an afterparty with sunshine sounds from NTS resident Prosumer – a fun way to re-anchor yourself in the present after two days venturing into the furthest frontiers.
Text: Benji Haughton / Photos: Best Film Forever (BFF), Funkhaus Berlin
Funkhaus Berlin, Nalepastr.18-50, 12459 Berlin–Oberschöneweide; map
Web3 Summit (18 & 19.06.2026) – tickets and program on the website. With the code “CEECEE25,” you’ll receive a 25% discount.
@web3_summit
