Cryptocurrency Opening Keynote
Michael Schloh MsvB, Chad Calease, Param D Pithadia
DEF CON 33 · Day 1 · Main Stage
The DEF CON Cryptocurrency Opening Keynote for 2024 provided a comprehensive overview of the current security landscape within the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency space. Moderated by Michael Schloh MsvB, this keynote featured insights from Chad Calease of the Kraken security team and Param D Pithadia, an electrical engineering student at Georgia Tech, offering diverse perspectives on both the theoretical and practical challenges facing digital asset security. The discussion delved into the profound impact of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) on both development and attack vectors, alongside critical considerations for self-custody and the evolving regulatory environment.
AI review
A DEF CON opening keynote that reads like a well-formatted blog post aimed at crypto newcomers — competent survey content, zero original research, and nothing an informed attendee couldn't have gotten from a CoinDesk think-piece. The 'technical deep dive' is a list of concepts with no actual depth, and the credentials on stage don't match the ambition of the slot.