More than 20,000 blockchain enthusiasts from all over the world had descended on downtown Austin to network and attend panel discussions before unwinding in the evenings at a series of decadent, invitation-only parties. We were in the middle of the Austin Convention Center’s vast exhibition hall on the third day of Consensus, which bills itself as the world’s largest annual crypto conference. At the 38-year-old’s feet sat a portable karaoke machine playing a hypnotic EDM track. Cryptocurrency entrepreneur Kyle Kemper stood next to a $300,000 McLaren sports car, wearing a sequined, psychedelic-colored robe over a sleeveless jumpsuit accessorized with a fanny pack and Reebok high-tops.
