Seizing the Moment: Recap of Consensus 2025 in Toronto

This article is a recap from Niftmint Founder, Jonathan G. Blanco, sharing about his recent trip to Consensus in Toronto.

May 20, 2025 | Seattle, WA

Attending Consensus 2025 in Toronto was one of the most memorable and meaningful experiences I’ve had in recent months, equally chaotic, energizing, and reaffirming. From the wild journey to get there to pitching Niftmint on the main stage, it was a trip that tested my patience and rewarded my perseverance.

A Stress Test Disguised as Travel

I should have known the universe was going to throw a few curveballs the moment my flight got delayed.

What started as a standard evening departure quickly devolved into a series of stress-inducing roadblocks, some literal. I arrived within a mile of the airport around 10:15 pm for an 11:50 pm flight. That should’ve been plenty of time. Instead, traffic came to a dead stop. For the next hour, cars barely moved. A few desperate travelers even ditched their rides and sprinted down the freeway with their luggage in hand.

Once I finally reached the terminal at 11:15 pm, the fun continued. TSA PreCheck? Closed. Regular TSA? Initially three lanes, until they inexplicably closed two. The walk-through metal detector? Broken. I got rerouted to the full-body scanner. Then the guy in front of me needed a pat-down. Then my bag was flagged for protein powder.

By the time I cleared security, it was 11:32 pm. I sprinted through the terminal to my gate at the very end of the concourse. They were boarding the final groups.

I caught the flight. But just barely. What followed was a 3.5-hour layover that had me wandering the airport at 3 am Pacific Time. Not exactly the glamorous side of startup life, but this is what it takes. I kept telling myself: I love traveling for work. I love the journey.

Pitching Niftmint in the Semifinals

Once I arrived in Toronto, the pace didn’t slow down. Niftmint had been selected as one of the 40 startups to pitch at the Consensus 2025 PitchFest, hosted by CoinDesk. These 40 were split into five groups, and only the winner of each group would move on to the finals.

Backstage, getting mic'd up before stepping out, I felt the nerves kick in—but in a good way. The kind that tells you what you’re about to do matters.

My pitch went smoothly. I followed a structured format but gave myself the freedom to adapt in the moment. That flexibility, I believe, was key.

Later that day, I found out I won my group.

From hundreds of applicants down to forty, then to five, Niftmint was now in the final six startups competing for the grand prize. It was a huge honor and a big moment for our team.

The Final Round

Finals day brought a fresh wave of energy and pressure.

The format was the same, but the stakes were higher. The room was packed. The judges were sharp. And each founder brought their A-game.

Once again, I delivered the pitch with clarity, composure, and confidence. I hit the key points about how Niftmint empowers brands to tokenize physical products and unlock new layers of customer engagement. I could feel the audience’s energy, and after the pitch, many people came up to me with words of encouragement and curiosity.

In the end, I didn’t win. Congratulations to ChainPatrol for taking the top spot—they earned it.

But I left that stage with no regrets. I had shared Niftmint’s vision in one of the most visible settings in Web3. And the feedback I received—both in-person and online—validated that we’re building something that resonates.

Beyond the Mainstage: Side Events and Serendipitous Conversations

While the main conference delivered incredible programming, the side events were just as impactful. Toronto’s blockchain scene was buzzing—literally and figuratively—with after-hours gatherings, investor mixers, and networking dinners that brought together builders, investors, and curious onlookers.

I reconnected with folks I met last year, caught up with fellow founders, and had valuable conversations with people outside the crypto space, exactly the audience I’ve been wanting to engage with as we expand Niftmint’s reach to brands beyond Web3.

Toronto remains one of my favorite cities to travel to, and the way the community showed up only solidified that sentiment.

Takeaways from Consensus 2025

Consensus 2025 welcomed over 14,000 attendees from 100+ countries, making it one of the most globally diverse and well-attended blockchain events of the year. The themes ranged from the rise of stablecoins and evolving crypto regulations to real-world asset tokenization and the convergence of AI and blockchain.

For Niftmint, it was a timely reminder that what we’re building—bridging the gap between traditional products and digital ownership—has a growing audience and demand. As brands seek new ways to authenticate goods, engage customers, and explore digital value, Niftmint is positioned at the intersection of opportunity and innovation.

Final Thoughts

I didn’t leave Toronto with a trophy, but I left with something more valuable: momentum.

The pitch competition was a moment, but the real work continues. And I’m excited to keep pushing forward.

Thank you to CoinDesk for the platform, the judges for their time, and everyone who supported and encouraged me along the way. Let’s keep building.

If you’re a brand looking to explore tokenization or want to learn how Niftmint can help you create deeper engagement through product authentication, let’s talk.

Until next time, Toronto.