Crypto Policy & Economics Take Center Stage at Consensus

Will the post COVID-19 economy open the door to inflation and feed demand for digital assets as a hedge? What role will all the fast-paced, transformative innovation of DeFi play in that economy? And where exactly is this wild NFT thing going? These are just a few of the questions we will explore at Consensus, taking place May 24–27, 2021.

We'll be joined by the most sought-out voices in policy, government and finance to give insights into the macroeconomic factors and technological developments that are altering how we think about money.

Newly Added 2021 Keynote Speakers

Dr. Lael Brainard

Federal Reserve Board of Governors

May 24, 2021 | 9:00 a.m. ET

A Special Address by Dr. Lael Brainard

We're honored to be joined by Dr. Lael Brainard of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. She will give an address discussing her latest thinking on the topic of digital currencies and will take questions from Michael Casey, CoinDesk's chief content officer.

Lawrence H. Summers

Former Treasury Secretary

May 26, 2021 | 4:00 p.m.

Bitcoin, the Federal Reserve and the 2% Inflation Doctrine

At the moment, the bitcoin echo chamber is fixated on the Federal Reserve's 2% inflation target. Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers, Bloomberg's Joe Weisenthal and CoinDesk's Noelle Acheson assess the legitimacy of the inflation threat and how much that matters to the current crypto narrative.

Cathie Wood

Ark Invest

May 27, 2021 | 7:30 p.m.

Cathie's Ark: Discerning Up From Down in the Bull Market

With her heterodox "disruptive innovation" investment thesis now playing out in spectacular fashion in crypto and beyond, Cathie Wood has become a leading face of the current bull market. She joins Nathaniel Whittemore to discuss what's next for this speculative craze and where the long-term value lies.