Gavin began his career working on 3D graphics software at Silicon Graphics Computer Systems. Since leaving the Silicon Valley, his positions included CTO of an early voice-over-the-Internet startup and co-founder of a company making multiplayer online games for blind people and their sighted friends. Most recently, Gavin has been the lead developer for the Bitcoin digital currency project.
karpelesMark currently serves as CEO of Mt.Gox, one of the oldest Bitcoin businesses in operation today. He is the mastermind who created the current trade engine and the multi-currency platform for Mt.Gox. Mark founded Tibanne in Japan, the mother company of Kalyhost and AutoVPS. Previously Mark was employed in IT development positions with Nexway (France) and Fotovista Group (France).
Micky is the founder and sole General Partner of Ribbit Capital, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm. He has over two decades of global experience in the financial services industry. He started five financial services companies – his first at the age of 18 – in the U.S., Europe and Latin America, and serves on the board of multiple financial services businesses, including Wonga, Mercado Libre, and Lemon. He lived through hyperinflation in Venezuela and Brazil, where he witnessed more than half of the banks in his home country fail. As a result, he strives to help create tangible solutions and financial reform for the antiquated industry.
jonmatonisA money researcher and crypto economist from George Washington University, Jon advises startups in Bitcoin, gaming, mobile and prepaid organizations. A tech contributor to Forbes Magazine and editor of The Monetary Future, Jon serves on the editorial board of Bitcoin Magazine. Previously CEO of Hushmail and Chief Forex Trader at VISA., Jon also held senior posts at Sumitomo Bank and VeriSign.
elizabeth-ploshayElizabeth serves as Manager of Communications of Bitcoin Magazine. Having previously served as the Scheduler, Policy Assistant, and Legislative Correspondent for a US Member of Congress, Elizabeth has a background in public policy, Middle Eastern politics, and grassroots activism. With a keen desire to promote decentralization and free market principles, she is fascinated with the Bitcoin currency and the multiple opportunities for this decentralized peer to peer currency to flourish on a global scale.
charlieshremCurrently serving as CEO and co-founder of BitInstant, one of the largest, earliest and well known alternative payment companies, Charlie used his position in both the old banking world and new alternative currency world to help pave the way for the Bitcoin economy to emerge in early 2011. Known in the Bitcoin and old hacker communities as 'Yankee', he is also founding member and current Vice Chairman of the Bitcoin Foundation. Along with Gareth Nelson, he found the need for a more secure, fast and convenient way of transferring funds between and within payment networks around the world and leads BitInstant through the complex compliance, licensing and regulations of the worldwide banking system.
vessenesPeter’s newest enterprise, CoinLab, extracts and exchanges computer power from gamers and other consumers for Bitcoins. A serial entrepreneur, Peter has founded startups, created an international development corporation in Africa, worked in top executive positions and as a business analyst, and served as a board member for tech companies.
Patrick is a principal and founder of Engage Legal PLLC. His expertise extends across the legal and regulatory issues governing the use of Bitcoin, virtual economies, gamification, alternative payment systems, and social loyalty and reward programs. Previously Patrick worked in business and legal affairs at BigDoor, as an attorney at a DC-based law firm, and as a journalist on international investigatory teams.