Crypto returns to Austin for Consensus conference

Why it matters: For better or worse, crypto's popularity is gaining steam, and the conference's switch to Austin underscores the city's dominance as a tech hub.

Details: Crypto is changing the way people buy and sell.

• It's already a $2 trillion trading market, and wildly popular among young people, especially rich ones.

Yes but: The market is volatile, recently humbling companies that made a big show of building up exposure to digital assets in recent years.

What they're saying: Mayor Steve Adler, who is expected to speak at the event, praised the move.

• "Every day this disruptive revolution becomes more and more mainstream," he said in a statement. "Austin, a city of early adopters where new and great ideas flourish, embraces this new world and is eager to 'welcome home' Consensus 2022."

Of note: Ticket prices for Consensus range from $1,200 to as high as $9,000, with discounts for students and academia.