More Than 17,000 Visitors and the Launch of the First Asterium x HUMO Crypto Card: Bitcoin Pizza Fest Brings Technology to the Heart of Tashkent

More Than 17,000 Visitors and the Launch of the First Asterium x HUMO Crypto Card: Bitcoin Pizza Fest Brings Technology to the Heart of Tashkent

Technology, music, and urban culture at the center of the capital

On May 23–24, Bitcoin Pizza Fest, a large-scale urban open-air festival bringing together modern technology, music, gastronomy, and innovative user experiences, took place in the heart of Tashkent.

The National Payment System HUMO served as both the co-organizer and the official payment system of the festival.

Over the course of two days, the festival welcomed more than 17,000 visitors. One of the capital’s central streets was transformed into a large-scale technology hub, where financial services and payment solutions became an integral part of everyday urban life for thousands of attendees.

HUMO as a Key Part of the Festival Experience

As the festival’s official payment system and co-organizer, HUMO played a central role in shaping the overall visitor experience.

Bitcoin Pizza Fest reflects the growing integration of modern technologies into everyday transactions and daily life. HUMO brought this concept to life by introducing fast, convenient, and modern payment solutions within an urban environment.

“For HUMO, participation in Bitcoin Pizza Fest provided an opportunity to demonstrate how modern financial technologies are becoming an integral part of everyday urban life. Together with Asterium, we introduced the first Asterium x HUMO crypto card, combining innovative financial services with established payment infrastructure. Our goal is to make technology convenient, fast, and accessible for a broad audience — especially for younger generations already shaping the financial ecosystem of the future,” said Maria Stroeva, Director of Marketing and PR at HUMO.

Throughout the festival, visitors were able to use HUMO services for payments through POS terminals and QR solutions, participate in interactive activities, receive bonuses, and take part in daily prize draws.

Visitors experienced a complete user journey enabled by HUMO services — from learning about products and applying for a card to making purchases, accessing exclusive festival areas, and participating in special activities.

For HUMO, participation in Bitcoin Pizza Fest formed part of a broader strategy aimed at developing modern payment infrastructure, supporting innovative financial solutions, and introducing convenient services to a wider audience.

The First Asterium x HUMO Joint Crypto Card

One of the festival’s key technological highlights was the launch of the first Asterium x HUMO crypto card — a new solution combining innovative financial services with established payment infrastructure.

Festival visitors were able to apply for the card through the Asterium platform within minutes and immediately use it in practical payment scenarios, including purchasing food, shopping, participating in activities, and accessing special festival experiences.

Over just two days, more than 430 Asterium x HUMO crypto cards were issued during the festival.

The event became one of the first urban platforms in Uzbekistan where modern financial technologies, financial services, and payment tools were integrated into a seamless user experience.

Financial Literacy and Interactive Engagement

Special attention was given to educational and interactive initiatives, including HUMO Money Talks — an open platform dedicated to discussions on finance, emerging technologies, and the future of payment solutions.

Festival visitors also had the opportunity to complete a financial literacy quiz through a dedicated Telegram bot focused on payments, security, and modern financial services.

Participants in the giveaway had the chance to win HUMO’s contactless payment ring, enabling secure contactless payments without the use of a bank card or mobile phone.

Festival Atmosphere and Special Activities

During the two-day event, visitors enjoyed music stages, food zones, interactive spaces, relaxation areas, and partner-led activities.

The festival program also featured daily giveaways of tokenized gold (AUZ) provided by Asterium and airline tickets for two from Centrum Air.

Organizers paid particular attention to ensuring that modern technologies were presented in an intuitive and accessible format for a broad audience.

New Formats of the Urban Financial Ecosystem

Bitcoin Pizza Fest was dedicated to the story behind Bitcoin Pizza Day — a landmark event in 2010 when programmer Laszlo Hanyecz used Bitcoin to purchase two pizzas for the first time. Over time, this moment became a symbol of the emergence of a new digital economy and the evolution of modern financial technologies.

Bitcoin Pizza Fest in Tashkent became one of the largest technology-focused open-air events of the season, demonstrating strong audience interest in modern financial services, fintech solutions, and new forms of interaction with technology in urban environments.